| In preparation for your yoga practice, find a place | | | | poses and a small wooden or foam block, or a strong |
| where you will be able to practice comfortably. You | | | | and sturdy straight-backed chair or table to help |
| will need an uncluttered space where you will be able | | | | support you in some of the balancing poses. You may |
| to stretch out and move about freely. If necessary, | | | | also find it handy to have a blanket nearby to place |
| move any furniture or other objects that might intrude | | | | over yourself in the final relaxation pose, as you may |
| on your practice out of the way. You will be working | | | | find that your body feels cooler when you assume the |
| on a smooth, flat, nonskid surface on the floor. Ideally, a | | | | final resting pose at the end of this yoga session. |
| bare wooden floor on which you can place a yoga | | | | Many yoga classes begin with the execution of a |
| "sticky mat" to help enhance balance and prevent | | | | yoga exercise called Surya Namaskara (literally "Salute |
| skidding is best. | | | | to the Sun" or "Sun Salutation"). This is not technically |
| For seated postures and those performed when lying | | | | an asana, but rather a series of flowing movements |
| on the floor, some type of cushioning-a pillow, bolster, | | | | that incorporate a number of different postures |
| folded sticky mat, blanket, or towel-will help to provide | | | | intoone exercise. The Sun Salutation presented here |
| support and make your practice more comfortable. | | | | synthesizes the elements of many widely practiced |
| You will probably find it easier to perform standing | | | | approaches to yoga. It is designed to warm up the |
| poses by standing directly on a yoga mat or a bare | | | | body for the postures that will follow during the |
| wood floor rather than on a carpeted surface. This will | | | | Complete Yoga Session. The Sun Salutation is |
| give you a firmer footing for added balance and | | | | composed of a number ofmovements performed in |
| stability. | | | | sequence. These movements flow into each other |
| Wear loose, comfortable clothing. A T-shirt and shorts | | | | and help to stretch the body and improve the |
| might be just the ideal attire. It is best if you are | | | | circulation of blood so that your yoga practice will be |
| barefoot while you perform your yoga session, as this | | | | even more beneficial. As you perform each sequence |
| will enable your feet to have the most secure contact | | | | of the Sun Salutation series in succession, pay |
| with the floor in standing positions. If you would like to | | | | attention to your breath. Perform each movement as |
| experiment with using props, you can have | | | | indicated in the instructions with an inhalation or an |
| accessories ready to help you. These could include a | | | | exhalation. As you practice yoga, let your breath be |
| yoga belt or rope to help you in some of the stretching | | | | your friend and guide. |