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| Before You Practice 1. Inform the teacher of any special needs or medical conditions such as past or current injuries, illnesses, pregnancy, or recent surgeries. 2. Wear clothing that allows freedom of movement. Remove shoes, socks, watch, and jewelry. Consider wearing form-fitting clothing--it allows the teacher to see your alignment. 3. Practice on a near-empty stomach. A full stomach makes it difficult to breathe deeply and move. Blood flow is reduced to the limbs as it moves to the digestive organs. Allow two to four hours after a meal before practicing, or one hour after a small snack. If you must eat something before class, choose something easily digestible. 4. Come to class fully hydrated. Drinking water during class breaks your concentration and cools you down when you need to stay warm. Be sure you are hydrated and your bladder is empty. 5. Enter the class fresh and clean for the benefit of yourself and others in class. Cleanse your hands, face, and feet. Avoid wearing strong fragrance. 6. Arrive a few minutes early. Be considerate of your fellow students by arriving early so that you can be ready to start class on time. Give yourself time to slow down and put the day's activities behind you before practicing. 7. Turn off your cell phone and watch alarms. A phone or alarm ringing during class practice is disruptive. 8. Get your props before class begins. Bring your sticky mat and a towel to class, and get the props suggested by the teacher. 9. If you do not want to be touched, let the teacher know. In many classes, the teacher will offer physical adjustments to make sure you are performing each posture and exercise safely and to help you let go of old postural habits. If you would rather not be adjusted, please tell the teacher before the class begins. |
| During Your Practice 1. Listen to your body. Only through come to understand when to work more deeply and when to ease up. 2. Allow yourself to sweat. Sweating is healthy because it helps to detoxify the body. Rubbing sweat off with a towel will break your focus and can clog the pores. 3. The breath should always be louder than your internal dialogue. Breathe through your nose (not your mouth) and maintain ujjayi breath. If you are not familiar with ujjayi breath, ask the instructor to explain it. 4. Never force yourself into any position. 5. Take ambition out of it. You are competing with no one. Take your time and build your practice slowly. There is nowhere to 'get' to. What's the rush, anyway? 6. Remember that the drishti (gazing point) is never on your neighbor's mat. If you are focused in your practice, you will not be aware of what your neighbor is doing. 7. Stay for the entire class. You are encouraged to stay for the whole class, but if you must leave early, be sure to tell the instructor before class. Practice close to the door so that you won't distract others when you leave. 8. Set up a regular practice for yourself. Yoga is a system of self-discipline. Try to establish a daily practice. Take class two to six times per week, and on days you can't make it to class, practice at home. Start slowly and build. Start by finding just five minutes in your day to do a few Sun Salutations. Be consistent! Even five minutes per day will enhance your class experiences monumentally. |
Helpful Yoga Terms
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Guidelines for Yoga Practice