Yoga Center

Origin of Yoga

Yoga originated from India thousands of years ago. It is an ancient practice involving the spiritual, mental and physical discipline.

The Sanskrit word "yoga" has the literal meaning of "yoke" which means to unite. The word is associated with meditative practices in many eastern religions including Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. In Hindu philosophy, the word yoga refers to one of the six orthodox schools of philosophy.

The goal of practicing yoga is to achieve good physical health and to attain inner peace both mentally and spiritually.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Start Practicing Yoga?

If you are a beginner, there are four basic steps you should follow in practicing yoga:

1. Learn Correct Breathing

Correct breathing technique is most important in yoga especially when holding postures. You must always breathe through the nose into the belly deeply.

2. Start and End with Meditation

You must always start and end your yoga session with a brief meditation to bring focus to yourself both inside and outside.

3. Practice Basic and Beginning Postures

Start with basic yoga poses. You can try the simple postures below:

Cat, seated twist, dog, child, down dog, mountain, cobra, forward bend and triangle.

4. Finish with Relaxation Pose

You should always end your yoga practice with the relaxation pose of Shavasana by resting your mind and body for 10 to 20 minutes.

 

What you Need to Start Practicing Yoga?

The beauty of yoga is you don't really need anything to practice it. You can do it anywhere and at anytime.

But to make things easier for you, you can consider using the following support to help you when you are starting out:

1. Yoga Classes

Signup for a yoga class and attend it regularly. A good instructor can help you to learn the right techniques quickly. Class attendance keeps you disciplined and motivated.

2. Yoga Books

Try to read up something about yoga. Get one of the many great books on yoga. Try searching for "yoga books" in Amazon.com or Google.

3. Yoga Video in CD's and DVD's

You can watch instructional videos in CD's and DVD's for beginners. There are many great CD's and DVD's on yoga. You can search for them under "yoga CD" or "Yoga DVD" in Amazon.com or Google.

4. Audio CDs on Yoga

There are lots of audio CD's on yoga for beginners. The advantage is you can listen to them repeatedly while working or driving. Try searching for "yoga audio CD" in Amazon.com or Google.

5. Yoga Mat

A yoga mat provides vital support for practicing yoga. The classic yoga mat is good enough for beginners, but you may consider using a thicker mat if the floor is hard.

6. Yoga Props

Beginners should consider using yoga props when they are starting out. Examples of yoga props are yoga block to help in stabilization when in standing poses, a yoga bolster in restorative poses and a yoga strap to help stretching while in seated poses.

7. Music CD's in Yoga

Many practitioners like to listen to music while doing yoga. It helps them to relax, focus and rest. You can search for them under "yoga music CD" in Amazon.com or Google.

8. Yoga Online

Go online to do some research on yoga. You can find out lots of resources related to yoga. You can even search for yoga classes in your area. Go to Google and enter "yoga" to search.

 

 

The Do's and Don'ts of Practicing Yoga

This section covers what you can and cannot do when practicing yoga. This is a general practice guidelines for yoga beginners.

1. Medical Conditions

Please consult your instructors on the requirements of each posture. Certain postures are not suitable for women in menstruation or pregnancy, high blood pressure, heart problem and those with knee, shoulders, and neck injuries. Those with medical condition should consult doctors before starting yoga.

2. Slowly Adapt to the Correct Postures

Nobody can be perfect from day 1. The yoga postures you see in videos and photos are just the ultimate goal, not what you can achieve overnight as a beginner. Try to explore different yoga poses and adapt to the correct postures slowly.

3. Adjust the Level of Intensity According to Your Ability

Depending on your physical ability, you can adjust your yoga practice to as challenging as you wish. It is best that you start off slowly and focus on achieving the right postures. There are three methods to slowly increase the intensity of your yoga practice:

Step 1- Slowly increase the duration of each posture;
Step 2- Start from simpler postures and slowly build up to more challenging ones;
Step 3- Try to speed up the movement between postures gradually.

4. Choosing the Correct Yoga Postures for You

Choose only those postures that are within your physical ability. Floor postures which require less strength and balance are easier for beginners than standing postures. Follow the yoga posture taught by your instructor closely.

5. Yoga Practice Duration

The duration of your practice should be between 10 minutes to an hour long, three to five times a week. You can adjust them according to your time and ability. It is better to practice more frequently at shorter duration than the reverse.

6. Yoga Clothing

The principle is to wear something comfortable which will not restrict your movement. There are proprietary yoga wear available online or from the shop.

7. Food and Drink

It is not recommended to eat or drink before and after a yoga session. Try to eat and drink at least one hour before and do not drink during your yoga session.