What Should You Keep In Mind When You Go To Practice Yoga?

The interest in practicing yoga is a success. This activity, which in principle can be boring or very “stopped”, helps to tone the body, gain elasticity and increase lung capacity. However, there are certain things that we should keep in mind.

Just as we have to analyze if a specific type of sport is suitable for us and if it adapts to the objectives we want to achieve, the same happens with yoga.

The types of yoga

There are many types of yoga. Some contain long sessions of meditation and in others postures are performed continuously or innovations such as much more lively music are introduced. Let’s see some styles of this discipline that are practiced today:

• Hatha yoga : It supposes a basic approach to the postures and the way in which the breathing is worked. They begin by performing simple positions and progressing in their difficulty as we master them.
• Raja yoga : It focuses on meditation. Although some poses can be performed, depending on the teacher, these are usually very simple. Most of the time, meditation will take center stage.

• Kundalini yoga : It focuses on awakening the energy of the body. For this, certain tools such as fire breathing and postures that include it, specific asanas and mudras are used. A space is also dedicated for meditation.
• Ivengar yoga : Your goal is to make each pose as perfect as possible by holding them for a short period of time. Thanks to this practice, people tend to improve their physical form.
• Bikram yoga : Yoga is practiced in a class at 40ºC and with 40% humidity. These days, it is quite a sought-after style. Improves fitness, at the same time as flexibility.

There are other specific types of yoga, for example, for pregnant women or for children. It depends on us and what we are looking to choose one or the other. Likewise, we can also try various styles until we decide on the one that convinces us the most.

The level of the class

Another thing that we should take into account before practicing yoga is choosing the level of the class. There are many that offer advanced yoga and if we have never practiced it, this can be a big mistake.

In addition to the fact that it will be impossible for us to keep up with the other students, we also run the risk of injuring ourselves by forcing the body too much. We have to improve our flexibility and practice the most basic postures, before moving into the advanced ones.

Suitable material

When we go to practice yoga for the first time we need to be prepared. To do this, let’s see what we should always wear:

• Water bottle: Hydration is very important and if we are going to practice Bikram yoga even more. Ideally, bring at least a liter of water for class. There are canteens to fill suitable for the gym.
• Mat: We must choose one that is adequate, that does not slip, that is comfortable and that allows us to perform all the postures without any problem.

• Proper footwear: Yoga is usually practiced barefoot or in socks. If we opt for this last option, we must choose ones that do not slip and that do not slip off our feet.
• Blanket: a small blanket is ideal if we do Raja yoga , since we will be still for a long time and it can get cold. It is also necessary in other types of yoga for the relaxation part. The feeling of comfort that it produces is very comforting.

Listen to your body

Before practicing yoga it is also important that you learn to listen to your body. Many teachers will already tell you, but it is necessary that you do not force the postures you are doing.

The reason is that if you are a beginner or have recently learned a new posture, your body is not yet ready to carry it out perfectly. Any excessive pain or discomfort should make us stop immediately.

Many people injure themselves by not listening to their body. Yoga is a practice that allows us to progressively improve our flexibility and the quality of our postures. Rushing and not giving us time can end up hurting us.

What had you missed in your first yoga class? Have you ever been injured? Remember that yoga has multiple benefits, but these will only be obtained if we progress little by little and without haste.