| To be successful, at yoga, or anything else in life, you | | | | breath. Focus on your breathing and on the different |
| need two main ingredients: understand the | | | | types of breathing patterns used in yoga practice to |
| fundamentals of the activity and know yourself. These | | | | ensure you experience the full benefits. |
| top ten tips will give you a solid foundation on which to | | | | 6. Mix it up. Like any activity, if you practice it the same |
| develop your yoga practice on a daily basis. | | | | way all the time, you are likely to get bored with it, |
| 1. Be clear about your needs and goals. Take the time | | | | even if you start with oodles of enthusiasm. Vary your |
| to consider what you want to get from your yoga | | | | program periodically. Investigate other styles of yoga, |
| practice and identify these as specific goals. | | | | or take a class with a different instructor. |
| Remember to take into consideration where you are | | | | 7. Start out right. It is much harder to unlearn poor |
| at and how much time and energy commitment you | | | | technique, than it is to get started in the right way. |
| want to give to your yoga practice. If you have, or are | | | | Wherever possible, try to get to a few classes with a |
| currently experiencing any health issues, please consult | | | | qualified instructor and read a book or two on Yoga to |
| your doctor before embarking on regular yoga | | | | give you a good all round grounding in the |
| practice and consult with your yoga teacher who can | | | | fundamentals. |
| give you appropriate modifications. | | | | 8. Be kind to yourself. As adults we often demand of |
| 2. Be committed. Even if the philosophical aspects of | | | | ourselves immediate success in any venture, especially |
| yoga or even a yoga lifestyle are not appealing to you, | | | | a new sport or activity. Don't worry about what others |
| try to stay open to the holistic philosophy of yoga. | | | | 'can do' or how 'inflexible' you are. Perfectionism has |
| Yoga has a great deal more to offer than just a | | | | no place in Yoga and it will be worth your while to let it |
| strength and fitness benefit. Commit to fully | | | | go! |
| experiencing yoga practice and you might be surprised | | | | 9. Listen to your body. Yoga poses may feel |
| what else you learn about yourself. | | | | awkward or unusual when you start, but they should |
| 3. Take the time to learn. Yoga is an age-old discipline. | | | | never cause pain or discomfort. If find yourself holding |
| To engage successfully in its practice it is worth taking | | | | your breath, shaking in a pose or straining, then come |
| the time to learn about all aspects of it, not just the | | | | out of the pose and try a modification, rest and try |
| poses to practice. The Yoga tradition is varied and | | | | again. Your body will let you know what is working and |
| vast. Taking the time to explore many of the different | | | | what's not. Don't override what your body is saying in |
| variations of Yoga. | | | | a rush to 'see results'. |
| 4. It takes time. Especially if you are very new to Yoga | | | | 10. Its fun with a friend. Yoga practice with a friend, or |
| it will take time for you to see and experience the full | | | | a regular yoga class is a wonderful way to get |
| benefits and results from yoga practice. Give yourself | | | | encouragement as you learn and develop together. |
| and your practice dedicated time and discipline and | | | | Yoga practice brings many lifelong benefits, regardless |
| you will see and feel the immense benefits that yoga | | | | of when you start. To be successful in yoga and |
| has to offer. | | | | enjoy your yoga practice, take the time to implement |
| 5. Breathe. One of the reasons that yoga is so potent | | | | these top ten tips and you too will soon be |
| and beneficial for our bodies and our minds is that it | | | | experiencing the quiet and unique physical, mental and |
| combines both the physical poses of strength and | | | | spiritual benefits of yoga. |
| flexibility with an awareness and concentration on, the | | | | |