Before You Start Doing Yoga

Posted On : 27 September 2018.

Yoga has increasingly become famous around the world. Yoga is an incredible practice, and everyone has become curious about it. Yoga has been around for thousands of years. It is designed by our ancient Indian sages to rejuvenate the mind and body; it is all about focusing on oneself. Now, most people are seen around wearing tight pants and flexible bodies, hitting yoga studios and doing wonders to their bodies. It is not limited to slim people and non-disabled dancers; it is for everyone. However, there needs to be more clarity around what Yoga is; people tend to judge. So here are some things you should know before starting your yogic journey.

Yoga is not a religion:

Yoga is not a religion and has no association with any religion. If you practice it in India, you may find some Hindu elements like mantra chanting or kirtan, but it does not adhere to any religious practice. Yoga is not simply a purely physical practice. The physical practice of yoga asana is to prepare your body for dhyana or deep-seated meditation. It is all about attaining heightened spiritual awareness.

You will become mindful:

As you proceed with your yoga practice, you will become more aware of your body and how your body reacts in a particular situation. You will become mindful of everything and every action you take and begin your day with positive intentions.

It is a mind-body practice:

Yoga is focused on establishing a mind-body connection. To do this, there is a lot of emphases on the breath. According to sacred Indian text, Yoga is described as eliminating the previous limiting mind pattern. It is all about connecting your mind to your soul and connecting deeply to your innermost self.

You need to change your eating habits

Before you start practising Yoga, try to cut junk food out of your diet and start incorporating more green and fresh vegetables in your diet so that you will feel less sluggish throughout the day. Also, practising Yoga on a full stomach must make you sluggish, so if you are going for your first yoga class, eat your meal at least 2 hours ago.

When you are not able to do a pose, it is okay:

When you practice Yoga in a yoga studio, you will encounter practitioners from various walks of life. Some will be highly flexible; some will be pretty stiff. As a beginner, if you cannot perform a particular yoga pose, don’t get intimidated by it and do not injure yourself in trying to outperform others in the class. Yoga is not about competition and paying attention to your body, breathing, and awareness.

Walk-in your yoga class with an open mind

Always remember that when you try to start something new, someone will always judge you. Try to leave every judgment and expectation before going to your yoga class. Walk into your yoga class with an open mind to learn everything Yoga offers you. A yoga class will give you a beautiful opportunity to connect with your inner self in a beautiful space and also give you a chance to meet a lot of like-minded people, so walk in with an open mind and soul and surrender yourself.

Takeaway

Practising Yoga is not about how flexible and agile you are; it is all about your awareness while practising. We are wired to be competitive by society, but Yoga encourages us to let go and accept our current reality with our every flaw. So, when you get on the yoga mat, try to be gentle with your body and thank it. Remember, it is not a mere form of exercise; it is far more profound than that.