The Proper Way to Practice Yoga at Home

Yoga has incredible benefits both for the body and the soul. If you want to practice yoga at home, read these tips to ensure your at-home yoga workout is safe and effective.

GET SOME BASICS LESSONS FIRST FROM A QUALIFIED YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Don't just pop in a DVD and expect to perfect your sun salutations and other yoga postures. If you solely learn your yoga from a DVD, yoga posture cards or audio tapes, you might be practicing yoga in the whole manner. An incorrect pose or movement may cause long-term damage. It's worth getting basic lesson from a certified instructor first to save you pain later on. Consult your doctor if you have any particular health issues, especially back and neck problems.

WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHING AND USE A PROPER YOGA MAT

One of the great things about yoga is that you can practice it almost anywhere. However, a yoga mat helps prevent you from slipping and adds padding for when you are in lying, sitting or kneeling poses. Wear loose fitting clothes so you can get into postures and stretches comfortable. Yoga is best practiced barefoot.

DON'T SKIP THE BREATHING

Many beginners to yoga do not follow the breathing sessions. Correct breathing is an essential and enormously beneficial part of yoga.

NEVER STRAIN

When performing yoga, try to concentrate on each movement and pose. Focus on the now and try to perfect each pose. Do not strain or over stretch, do not worry, with enough practice, your flexibility and strength will come.

PRACTICE YOGA IN THE MORNING

If you can, practice your yoga first thing in the morning. Firstly, this will help stretch out your muscles after sleeping. Secondly, yoga differs from regular stretching exercises in that yoga works on a much deeper level. Yoga builds awareness of your body so it enlivens the mind and spirit, not just the body. Practicing your yoga in the morning gets you in the proper physical and mental state for the busy day ahead, and it sets a routine which you are more likely to stick to. Distractions such as unfinished work, social commitments or tiredness might get in the way later in the day.

AVOID EATING AT LEAST TWO HOURS BEFORE YOUR YOGA SESSION

Drink enough water before you begin and avoid eating around two hours before you start your yoga session.

AVOID DRINKING WATER DURING YOUR YOGA PRACTICE

Taking water breaks during your yoga practice might break your concentration and might make you feel nauseous. You can drink water directly afterwards. You can also eat within 20-30 minutes after your yoga practice.

DON'T SKIP OR FAST-FORWARD YOUR YOGA VIDEO

Try to perform the poses in the order they are presented on the yoga video, since the routine is designed to warm your body up, wind you down properly at the end and to balance each different muscle group.