Distance Learning School

Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class (Second Edtion)

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Retail Price: $19.95

Amazon Price: $13.57

Yoga has been proven to benefit the body in numerous ways, by promoting flexibility and muscle development, reducing strength, and improving both emotional and mental health, it provides a truly holistic practice. Many people who begin yoga do so because they’ve heard about its amazing health benefits, and want to try for themselves. However, while any yoga practice is a great idea, it’s even better if you can maximize your success.

Always plan to arrive at your yoga class several minutes early; this gives you time to get into the ideal state for beginning your session. When you rush to get there and arrive at the last minute, you’re still carrying baggage from your day, and it takes longer to get into the flow of the class. When you arrive in time to have a drink, use the bathroom, and do some stretches or deep breathing exercises, you’ll be well prepared when the class begins.

Find an intention to focus on during your yoga class. Such an intention may be something like developing greater calm in volatile situations, becoming more tolerant and loving, enjoying healthy nourishing foods, or maybe taking more time for spiritual practices. Provided the intention is positive and reflects the tenets of yoga it is a good intention.

If you have been experiencing any physical problems or illness recently let your yoga instructor know, as they can advise you on poses you shouldn’t attempt (or can offer a modified pose), and can assist if you have any problems. If you are relatively new to yoga you should also let your instructor know, as there will be poses you can’t do without causing a strain or an injury. While you may be anxious to reap the full benefits of yoga quickly, everything worthwhile takes time, and yoga is no exception! Take it easily and work within your own limits. Trying to do too much too soon may end up doing you more harm than good, and goes against the philosophy of yoga, which is geared towards healing.

Once the class is over it’s a great idea to take some time to think about what you learned during the class. It’s all too easy to rush out of class and get back into the fast track of life without really digesting the lessons learned. After the relaxation and peace gained in a yoga class, it’s a pity not to remain in the moment for some time later, and think over what you’ve learned. Beginners have a lot to remember, and it can take some time to learn it all. For this reason, if you can make the effort to consciously remember just one or two new poses from each class, you’ll soon have mastered the basics.

Don’t eat for at least two to three hours before attending a yoga class, firstly because digestion takes energy and can make you lethargic, but also because cramps and nausea are an unfortunate result of performing some yoga poses too soon after eating (generally forward bends and twists which utilize the midsection).

Beginning a yoga class with the correct mindset is one way of maximizing yoga sessions, and so is focusing for the class on a positive intention, which can distract the mind from outside worries. Along with taking the right attitude to your yoga class, it’s just as important to maintain positivity and peace afterwards.

Ana Paula Hernandez has been teaching yoga classes for years, and her experience leads her to believe that the key to successful yoga practise is being able to master the basic yoga postures and yoga poses.