Like meditation, the practice of yoga has been in existence for centuries.

Whether you want to simply be in better health or ultimately seek enlightenment, anyone can benefit from beginning a yoga practice.  Yoga has been linked to increased flexibility, energy and has even been used to eliminate migraine headaches.  If you want to learn how to fall asleep fast, start practicing yoga.  I sleep like a baby now.

Recognize that yoga is not a sport or religion.  It is a method to nurture your own life force (prana) and strengthen your body and mind.

Let’s take a look at some yoga information to determine what you need to do in order to get started in a yoga program.

How To Get Started In Yoga

You technically do not need anything to begin a yoga program, except an open and determined attitude.  You can practice yoga in any loose fitting clothing (or you can wear no clothing at all).  Simply find a place in your home or office where you will not be disturbed and begin.

Find A Class And Qualified Instructor. In searching for a studio, choose a place that is relatively free from distractions, that is quiet, clean and well ventilated.  The instructor should be able to assist the beginner in assuming the asanas with a particular concern in avoiding injuries and making the experience as pleasant as possible.

Learn The Asanas.  To learn the basic yoga asanas (postures), search the internet under “yoga asanas.”  There are a variety of websites offering the information for free.  You can also buy an introductory yoga book, video or DVD.

Start With The Easy Asanas. Start with easy poses to condition your body for the more difficult exercises that follows. Do not strain yourself and take a break when you feel pain or fatigue. Between each exercise, relax as well.

Practice Thirty Minutes A Day. Your sessions need not be lengthy, but should be done daily. You can realize noticeable benefits in as little as 30 minutes each day.  Ideally, practicing early in the morning is the best way to revitalize the mind and body.  However, many practitioners do so at night to induce a deep, restful sleep.

The Basic Yoga Kit

Although you can begin your yoga practice without any equipment or special instruction, most beginning practitioners have a few items to make the practice more comfortable (and therefore more likely to continue).

Yoga Mat. A yoga mat provides a non-slip padded surface that is useful in making certain asanas more comfortable and to soften wooden or concrete floors where classes are normally held.  Do not borrow a yoga mat.  Using community yoga mats has been linked to the transmission of athlete’s foot and other conditions.  Find a quality yoga mat from a reputable maker.

Yoga Blanket. Yoga blankets are used to provide extra support and comfort when assuming certain asanas.  They can also be used in place of a yoga mat, except that they do not provide as stable of a non-slip surface as a yoga mat prepared for that specific purpose.

Yoga Strap. Yoga straps or belts are particularly useful for bound poses if your hands do not reach each other.  They can also be used for poses where you need to hold onto your feet but cannot reach them.

Yoga Block. Yoga blocks are props used to make certain asanas more comfortable and improve body alignment to prevent injury. They are great for standing poses in which one hand is on the floor.  You can also sit on a yoga block in other poses.  Yoga blocks are usually made of cork or foam.

Yoga Bag. A yoga bag, or mat bag, is a long cylindrical bag that carries a rolled yoga mat and other accessories.  It can also be any duffle bag that is used to hold yoga equipment.  They can range from very plain, to very ornate bags and are usually made of cotton or hemp.

Yoga:  For Mental And Physical Health

Yoga has been practiced for centuries by young and old alike.  Fortunately, yoga has become a mainstream activity in the United States.  With the abundance of classes, videos and fee information on the internet, anyone can easily get started enjoying the benefits of this wonderful spiritual exercise.

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