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8 Smart Tips For Beginning Yoga and 12 Poses

Anyone can do yoga. I do yoga and I have never taken a course or been instructed on it. And I still get the benefits yoga has to offer. I simply looked up how to do it, and I do what feels right to my body. You can get all the benefits from yoga without ever paying for a course, or even a mat. Yoga is all about doing what feels natural to you. You never have to push your body into any uncomfortable positions. Here are some tips to get you started.

This is one of my favorite poses.

1) What do I need? That's the beauty. Nothing! Wear something comfortable. Any sweats will do. You don't need special yoga pants to do yoga. Most people do not wear shoes when doing yoga. You may invest in a mat, but it isn't necessary to start.

2) Focus on your breathe. This is key in yoga. Focus on how your breathe interacts with your poses. Breathe in and out with your body motions. A great example of poses you breathe in and out with, are alternating between cat and cow pose. In cat pose, breathe in, and in cow pose, breathe out. And you repeat this back and forth. It is very soothing. Your breathe should match your movements in yoga.

Cow pose at top, cat pose at bottom.

3) Create a quiet space. Turn off your cell phone. Make sure nothing will distract you. Do the dishes before you start, so it isn't on your mind.

4) Stop worrying so much about whether or not you are doing it right. Just do it! The more time you spend doing yoga, the more you will see how to adjust yourself to better do poses. If you do not feel you are doing a specific pose correctly, google it. But stop obsessing over each one. This will cause you to do things wrong. Yoga is all about being present in the moment. Just be one with your body, and listen to it. And then you will better be able to do the poses.

5) Smile while you yoga. Smiling relaxes your mind. Keep a gentle smile on your face to uplift your mood and keep you calm.

6) Don't push yourself too hard. You should never feel uncomfortable with yoga. You should push yourself until you feel a nice stretch you can enjoy. Anything beyond that, is too much.

7) How much time between poses? As much as you like! This is the benefit of not being in a class. You can spend as little or as much time in a pose as you enjoy. Your pace should always be at a slow rhythm though, as you move between poses.

8) How often should I practice? As often as you need to feel balanced. I found that I feel best if I practice for 10-20 minutes every day. Try to aim for at least an hour every week.

A Beginners Sequence

Feel free to google any of these for an in-depth description on how to do them.

1) Stretch. Spend at least 5 minutes stretching. Preferably 10.

2) Mountain Pose

Alternatively, put your arms up straight in above you.

3) Warrior 1

4) Warrior 2

5) Triangle Pose

6) Reverse Warrior

7) Downward Dog

8) Child's Pose

9) Seated Twist

Alternate sides.

10) Bridge pose

11) Pigeon's Pose

12) Cobra

This pose is so relaxing!

13) Cat and Cow Pose

Get started on some yoga! You can do it right now! You won't regret it, I promise.

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