| Even if you are a beginner at exercising, you can begin | | | | relaxing, and you should not do any position that |
| practicing yoga at any age. You do not need any | | | | causes you pain or strains your muscles. Yoga |
| special equipment, and it can be done almost | | | | technique is more important than achieving perfection |
| anywhere, regardless of your age or level of physical | | | | when attaining any given position. |
| fitness. You can choose to take yoga at a studio, or | | | | When starting a yoga session, you will first want to |
| you can practice yoga on your own at home. | | | | assume an easy pose, and do a short meditation in |
| Whatever location you choose, it should be a place | | | | order to internalize your focus and center yourself. |
| that is quiet and free from distractions. You also do not | | | | Then, you will want to do some warm-up exercises. In |
| need any specific equipment to practice yoga other | | | | fact, if you are a beginner, you might want to use |
| than something to sit on for comfort, such as a mat, | | | | mostly warm-up exercises for your first few sessions. |
| towel or blanket. | | | | Warm-up exercises can help you loosen up. Some |
| You also do not need any special clothing, although | | | | good beginning warm-up exercises include neck |
| you should wear something comfortable, such as a | | | | exercises such as bending your head forward, right, |
| leotard, sweat clothes or shorts. Any clothing you | | | | back and left, returning to the original position between |
| choose should be stretchy and loose fitting. You can | | | | each movement. Shoulder lifts and stretches are also |
| also wear socks or a soft style of shoes, although | | | | good, as is the cat position. To do the cat position, get |
| traditionally, yoga is performed barefoot | | | | down on all fours, then arch your back down toward |
| You should always start a yoga session with easy | | | | the floor, exhaling. Then arch your back upwards like a |
| stretching positions, before working into the more | | | | cat. |
| challenging poses. You should never do anything that is | | | | When you finish with your yoga session, you will want |
| painful, and it is important to pause whenever you feel | | | | to do some finishing poses to cool down. You should |
| fatigued, or between the more strenuous poses. Just | | | | end your session with shavasana. To do this, lie on |
| fifteen minutes of yoga stretches and positions, plus | | | | your back and let your arms and legs drop open, arms |
| fifteen minutes of meditation and breathing exercises | | | | approximately 45 degrees from your sides. With eyes |
| can product results. | | | | closed, breath slowly and deeply through the nose. |
| When practicing yoga, remember that not only are you | | | | You want to allow your whole body to relax into the |
| striving to achieve a particular position, but you are also | | | | floor, focusing on feeling your body rising and falling |
| focusing on the very act of movement, as well as | | | | with each breath you take. If you sense tension in any |
| your breathing. Yoga should always be smooth and | | | | area of the body, relax that area. |