How to Do Yoga

Learning How to Do Yoga

So you've made the decision to try yoga as a way to relieve stress and improve your overall all physical and mental well-being... so what next?

You'll need to learn how to practice yoga.

Practicing yoga involves a series of poses and stretches. Knowing how to do it will take time and practice.

To begin with, start out with a class where you'll have access to an instructor or purchase a DVD such as Rodney Yee's Yoga for Beginners .

Here is what you can expect from a basic yoga session:

Warm Up Exercises

These exercises are designed to open up your spine, lower back, groin, hips, and shoulders. If you're a beginner or if you have physical limitations, you may use these poses for your entire session. These may include neck exercises, cat pose, shoulder stretches and lifts.

Standing Poses

These poses assist in the alignment of your body, aid in digestion, blood circulation, and improves posture. Some basic standing poses are: Mountain Pose, Triangle Pose (pictured below), Warrior Pose, Standing Forward Bend, and Downward Facing Dog.

Sitting Poses

These will help you to feel calm and relaxed. They are also great for helping to shape your legs and your buttocks. Some basic sitting poses are: Easy Pose, Hero Pose, Lotus Pose, Child Pose, and Seated Forward Bend.

Twist Poses

These are helpful to release tension in your spine, back, and shoulders. A common twist exercise is a Half Spinal Twist.

Supine Poses

These poses help to strengthen your back, arms, and legs while also increasing mobility in your spine and releasing your abdomen, hips, and groin. Some basic supine poses are: Leg Pulls, Single Leg Raises, and Wind Relieving Pose.

Finishing Poses

To finish off any exercise routine, there is often a cool-down period and yoga is no exception. One of the most common finishing poses is the Corpse Pose (which is also commonly used at the beginning of a session and sometimes in between other poses as well).

If you're ready to practice yoga and feel comfortable with the poses listed here, you can get a great exercise routine done in only 15 - 20 minutes.

And if you need more instruction, you can learn how to do yoga by looking for classes available in your area or try out a great beginners DVD such as Rodney Yee's Yoga for Beginners .

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Please Note: While yoga is a great exercise and can bring improvements to your health and well being, it isn't right for everyone. Doing the exercises incorrectly can cause injury and you should never push yourself if it doesn't feel right. As always, be sure to get your Doctor's approval before beginning this or any exercise program.

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The information presented on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Always seek the advice of your individual Health Care Professional.