Many of us know the obvious benefits of a yoga practice. A few of these include relaxation, flexibility, an improved mental state, and a preferred workout.
Yoga is a practice in which you execute a collection of poses designed to stretch and balance your body, but there are many levels to this practice. People often start at the beginner level for yoga, since the poses require some practice before you are able to take them deeper. However, a GREAT way to enhance your yoga practice is to move up a level when your body feels ready.
This does not have to be the case for everyone, especially if there are injuries involved, because taking care of your body comes first. However, if the poses in a beginner class are becoming increasingly easier, it may be time to step up to a flow class- meaning the poses come quicker and may go a bit deeper. There are also several different specialized types of yoga.
The idea of hot yoga MAY scare you, but this particular style of yoga has SO many benefits.
This class can be for all levels, as modifications could be made if you are a beginner. It is common to want to take a few non-heated classes before trying it out, though. Hot yoga allows you to sweat out the toxins in your body, and you always will leave the class with the accomplished feeling of “I just had a GREAT workout!” Other styles of yoga may leave you sore the next day, but hot yoga gives you the satisfied feeling of burning calories AND completing multiple poses within one class. Hot yoga is like an enhanced flow class with an even better workout, and many people become obsessed with the practice after just a few classes.
An enhanced yoga practice does not have to involve trying different classes or challenging yourself by moving up. Although it is nice to allow your body to grow and become proud with how your practice had advanced, a key component of yoga in general is relaxation benefits. These can be proud upon by incorporating meditation, relaxation props, and breathing exercises into your yoga practice.
Meditation could be added before or after a yoga practice, and it helps calm your mind before you begin your session or before you end it and get back to the events of life. The main idea of meditation is to clear your mind for relaxation purposes, so it goes hand in hand with yoga practices.
Breathing exercises can be a good transition to meditation, and a great way to focus on each movement in your practice. Many instructors recommend breathing deeply in and out through your nose, but there are multiple breathing exercises that could be beneficial to each individual practice. Focusing on breath can help relieve pressure and tension in harder poses, as well as give your body a necessary release during your practice.
Using props during savasana, or final resting pose, can be extremely beneficial to one’s practice. Bolsters, or firm pillows, can be placed under your knees to relieve them of the tension that they may have acquired during the practice. Putting cool towels on your feet also releases the heat and pressure that they held during the practice, and the same goes for putting a cool towel over your eyes during the final resting pose. After savasana with props, you will feel rejuvenated and extremely relaxed.
Collegiettes, yoga is a practice that I highly recommend to each and every one of you. It can be done by all, and these tips will further enhance the wonderful practice and benefits of yoga.
Attatched is a Spotify Playlist created for an at-home yoga practice.
https://open.spotify.com/user/1211571746/playlist/4MfzrVS8coysl4wn0SPQYl?si=Kh8jXnTRTY6i95MmxybwFQ