How to Perform Yoga Postures

Yoga is an incredibly healthy physical activity which can be enjoyed by virtually everyone, regardless of age and size. Highly adaptable, yoga postures can help you to gain physical and mental balance, ease stress, improve circulation and feel more energetic. If you are new to yoga, a few basic tips will give you an idea of what to do when performing postures.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Perform yoga postures early in the morning when your body is light and clean. Relieve your bowels, brush your teeth and wash your face before starting. Drinking a warm glass of water with a squeeze of lemon will not only help to clear out your system, it will also help to raise your core temperature, improving your yoga session. Yoga is always best practiced on an empty stomach.

2. Remove all jewelry and other accessories when performing yoga so that you can move freely and comfortably. Your clothing should be stretchy so that it does not constrict your movement and when possible, wear your hair loose. If you must place your hair up, place your ponytail high on your head where it will not bother your neck during ground poses.

3. Prepare an area for practicing yoga. The warmer the environment the better, as warmth helps to loosen the muscles and raise your core temperature. You should also have a special rug or yoga mat which you use just for performing your postures.

4. Breathe. Breathing is an essential part of performing yoga postures, as controlled breath helps to relieve stress and will also help to increase your flexibility. Always breathe in through your nose on upward movements and breath out your mouth on downward movements. You can also accentuate a stretch by holding it through multiple deep breaths, holding on the inhale and moving deeper into the posture on the exhale.

5. Focus your mind on the yoga postures, becoming aware of wandering thoughts when they come and bringing your mind back to your body. Remember that yoga is a meditation and a time for you to release your daily stress and worries, so focus on your inner self, your body and your postures.

6. Move only as far into yoga postures as is comfortable. Yoga is not a competitive sport, should never hurt and should only be taken as far as your body is comfortable. Just the act of practicing yoga is your success, so do not get frustrated if you cannot perform the most advanced form of a posture. The postures are designed for every level, so find the furthest point in which your body is comfortable, moving deeper as it becomes natural to do so.

Who Can Help:

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!