| Getting fit with yoga is a fantastic way to improve | | | | would get hip and lower back pain if walking long |
| your muscle strength, increase your overall flexibility | | | | distances. Not a good place to be when you hit |
| and to balance your mind, making you feel great, | | | | middle age. |
| more motivated and, of course, fitter. | | | | WHAT BEGINNERS NEED TO KNOW. |
| BUT, you must take care when getting started with | | | | It is vitally important for beginners to find a good |
| yoga practice. Yoga is an intense workout, even | | | | source for their instruction, such as a teacher or a |
| though you may not feel that you re doing a lot. | | | | really good Getting started CD or Video. This is what |
| Yoga poses are intense and you must take your | | | | I did and it was fantastic if I forgot a move because |
| time, listen to or watch the instructor carefully and | | | | I could replay it again and again or pause it while I |
| listen to your body. Beginners instruction should be | | | | got myself into position! Yoga positions have to be |
| thorough and show you each movement as you get | | | | clearly explained and demonstrated and you should |
| into a pose. | | | | be aware of what muscles you should be feeling for |
| | | | each pose. |
| The stages of you practice are like any other sport | | | | Take you time to get into each pose. If you rush, |
| or activity. | | | | you will get it wrong and probably end up hurting |
| 1./ Beginner - all poses are new and care should be | | | | yourself. |
| taken to explain each move and what it is doing and | | | | Do not try to do what others are able to do. You |
| how it should feel. Body will be stiff and awkward | | | | need to honour your own body and its uniqueness. I |
| and you will find muscles you never knew existed! | | | | didn't listen to this when I first started and ended up |
| 2./ Intermediate - many poses are now familiar and | | | | almost crippled after the first class. You don't realise |
| various sequences are practiced often to music. | | | | it at the time, you think you are doing great... |
| Instruction is still required but you will know the | | | | Practice your yoga regularly and consistently. |
| routines used to get into each position. Your body will | | | | Don't forget the relaxation at the end of each |
| now be more flexible and strong, but you will also | | | | practice. |
| know your own limitations to work with. A couple of | | | | Don't forget to breathe!!! Very important this one. |
| years of practicing yoga. | | | | You often find yourself holding your breathe, but this |
| 3./ Advanced - all poses are well practiced and | | | | makes your body tighten up more instead of relaxing |
| sequences are natural and flowing. Your body will be | | | | and letting go. |
| functioning at its peak performance, feeling strong, | | | | RESULTS YOU CAN EXPECT. |
| flexible and relaxed in all positions. Fantastic work! | | | | I started learning yoga a year ago and have never |
| This can take years. | | | | looked back. Just the fact that I was doing |
| If you are anything like me when I first started yoga, | | | | something good for myself, made me feel great and |
| you will be very weak in the arms, torso and legs | | | | more inspired and motivated to go on. I have had |
| due to lack of use, or sedentary lifestyle to be more | | | | amazing improvement in my flexibility and my |
| precise. I am in my forties, have had three children | | | | strength is getting better each week. My hips and |
| and have done very little in the way of sport or | | | | back are much freer and breathing is also easier. |
| fitness since being a teenager! Yes, I work around | | | | Most of all though, is the benefit to my mind. I feel |
| the house and garden, but cafes and shopping malls | | | | more calm and relaxed after yoga and I am clearer in |
| just don't cut the mustard as far as fitness is | | | | many ways too. The relaxation exercises at the end |
| concerned. I was very stiff in all of my joints, had | | | | of each yoga practice are wonderful and bring |
| tight shoulders, neck and back problems (could never | | | | balance back to your life. |
| touch my toes) and my hamstrings were so tight I | | | | |