Yoga is beneficial for the body in so many ways: it increases flexibility and muscle strength, it reduces stress and improves mental and emotional health, and it helps normalize bodily functions. People who start practicing yoga generally do so in expectation of these health benefits. While any regular practice of yoga will create improvements in the body, there are ways of maximizing the progress you can make in your yoga.

If you are taking formal yoga classes, it helps to arrive a few minutes early so you can get yourself in the right frame of mind before the class kicks off. If you find yourself rushing in at the last moment, it will take that much longer to get into the flow of the class. Ensure you take the time to have a drink of water and use the bathroom, and if you’ve got time, do a few poses or simply sit quietly until the class commences.

It is helpful to begin each class with an intention which you can focus on through the class. This may be something like focussing on remaining calm in situations which are usually volatile, or becoming more loving and tolerant, eating more nourishing foods, or taking more time for spiritual practices. Just make it something positive and congruent with the practice of yoga.

It’s important to let your instructor know if you’re suffering from any injury or recovering from illness, so they can advise which poses may not be suitable, and offer substitutions, and they can assist if you run into trouble. Those new to the practice of yoga need to let their instructor know, also, as there will be poses that could cause strain or injury in first timers. It is important to remember that it takes time to become proficient at yoga, just like anything else. It’s necessary to recognize and work within your limitations while you’re a beginner. Unfortunately, those who attempt too much too soon often end up doing more harm than good, which goes against the healing principles of yoga.

Once the class is over it’s a great idea to take some time to think about what you learned during the class. It’s all too easy to rush out of class and get back into the fast track of life without really digesting the lessons learned. After the relaxation and peace gained in a yoga class, it’s a pity not to remain in the moment for some time later, and think over what you’ve learned. Beginners have a lot to remember, and it can take some time to learn it all. For this reason, if you can make the effort to consciously remember just one or two new poses from each class, you’ll soon have mastered the basics.

You should attend your yoga class on an empty stomach (it’s a good idea not to eat for at least two hours beforehand), as digestion uses energy and creates lethargy, and cramps and nausea may occur if certain postures are performed too soon after eating (especially those that revolve around the midsection, including twists, and forward bends).

Maximizing your yoga practice is simple if you can take the right mindset to class, and focus on a beneficial intention throughout the yoga practice, which also assists in removing worrying thoughts from the mind. A positive outlook during a yoga class, and the maintenance of positive feelings afterwards is one of the best things you can do.

Ana Paula Hernandez has over twenty years of yoga experience, and knows how beneficial it is for the body. She promotes a focus on the basic yoga poses and postures as a means of maximizing benefits.

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