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Revisit Basics For A Better Yoga PracticeEven the most experienced yoga practitioners have room to improve. No matter where you are on the yoga spectrum, from a beginner to intermediate to advanced, it never hurts to revisit basic principles of how to do yoga. You can find more information on yoga basics by visiting gaiam.com, or by checking out Yoga Journal’s yoga basics column. To inspire you to get back to basics, try these tips to improve your camel pose, one of the basic yoga positions, from Yoga Journal’s Basics column:
Order Of Poses MattersThere is a reason that the yoga poses in yoga classes and yoga videos or DVDs follow a certain order. Some yoga poses are invigorating and some are calming. The invigorating moves, including standing poses such as the warrior series, and balancing poses such as the standing big toe pose and half moon pose, are usually done earlier in the class, while seated poses and twists are done towards the end of a class to calm the body in preparation for final relaxation poses. Some poses are done in preparation for others because their basic movements are the foundation of the more complicated postures. For example, dolphin, which is essentially downward-facing dog using your forearms instead of your palms, is often done earlier in a yoga class as a preparation for inverted forearm balancing poses later in the class.
Three Pointers For Your Yoga PosesOne of the best parts of yoga is that it benefits your mind as well as your body. When you do even the most basic yoga poses, you will be able to do them more fully (and more mindfully) as your practice evolves. Several general principles for how to do yoga apply to basic yoga positions and to more advanced moves. Keep these points in mind as a primer for your practice:
Beginner Yoga PosesWhen performing beginner yoga poses, it's important to concentrate on each movement. Remember that you are connecting the body with the mind and the breath. If you experience pain, release the hold slightly or exit the pose. Technique and form is more important than attaining the pose. It is better to perform a posture correctly one time rather than repeating it incorrectly. Keep to the order of the poses as given by the instructor - they are taught in the order that will best benefit your practice. Don’t Get In A Bind With Yoga TopsNo matter what style of yoga clothing you favor, be sure that you can maneuver through a full range of motion. For example, a t-shirt with tight, cap-style sleeves may keep you from rotating your arms as much as you would like. On the other hand, a t-shirt that’s too baggy will fall over your head and face when you bend forward. If you feel more comfortable in a loose shirt, be prepared to tuck it into your pants or shorts. If you have a tank top or spaghetti strap top, look for styles without prominent clasps or seams that may chafe your skin by the end of a long, tough class. Also, beware of tops that tie around your neck or waist if you are doing a vigorous yoga practice. That tie can come loose as you get sweaty, and if you are in the midst of an arm balance when that happens, you will either lose your balance or lose your shirt. How to Gain Without PainWhile holding any yoga position, it is imperative that you not over exert yourself. Many postures involve advanced levels of flexibility. This does not mean that you cannot approximate these poses if you are not at that advanced level. However, you should perform each pose as accurately as you can, without forcing your body into a painful place. Yoga is meant to be connective and flowing. If your body is in pain during the exercises, you will be off-center and the full benefits of the exercise will be lost. Yoga Clothing: Invest In ComfortEven if you aren’t a top-level yoga instructor, it’s worth investing in a few good quality items of yoga clothing. Yoga apparel is designed to keep you comfortable as you work through yoga poses, and you’ll enjoy your workout more if you aren’t distracted by bunching shorts or sliding shirts. Quality yoga clothes will last for years you take care of them. So, when you buy a pair or two of moisture-wicking pants or yoga shorts and a top made from a comfortable, moisture-wicking fabric in a style you like, think of it as an investment in your health and fitness. Protect your investment with these yoga clothing care hints:
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