Yoga for the Inflexible Athlete

                   

Yoga for beginners may be a bit challenging at first, but once you've gotten used to the different yoga poses and techniques, it will be a fun, continuous learning process.

If you've decided to practice yoga, here are 5 important things you should understand before you start:

1. It is vital that you consult with your health care provide first

Even if you only plan on practicing less aggressive styles of yoga, it is still recommended that you check with your doctor first if you have any underlying chronic conditions as well as bone or muscle injuries. Yoga for beginners is still a new physical fitness program that needs your doctor's approval no matter how relaxing you think it may be. Remember, safety should always be your top priority to avoid injury.

2. Yoga is for everyone

Contrary to popular belief, yoga isn't just for fit and flexible individuals. In fact, anyone can practice the art - young or old, slim or heavy and even flexible or not. As mentioned above, yoga is a continuous learning process. You don't have to feel discouraged every time you can't perform a pose right. The practice is all about exploring your inner self through different styles of yoga so don't hold back and just keep on practicing.

3. Start slow

With all the wonderful things you might have heard or read about the practice, it's easy to get excited and dive right in. Doing so may just burn out your body faster or result to injuries so it's important to take things slow and follow your natural learning pace. Learn and master all the basics first before trying out more complicated poses or techniques. More importantly, if you're attending a yoga for beginners class, let your instructor guide you through the learning process - follow his instructions and don't try to get ahead.

4. Keeping a journal to track your progress is important

Keeping a record of everything you learn about yoga will do nothing but good to your progress. After a month or so, reading your journal will show you how much you've improved as a yogi. Yoga also has LOTS of terminologies so it doesn't hurt to write them down.

5. Yoga is a lifestyle, not a "diet" that ends

Many people treat yoga like a weight loss diet, stopping once the desired weight is achieved then resuming when the weight is gained back. Yoga shouldn't be approached as all or nothing. When you decide to practice yoga, it is important to understand that it is more than a physical fitness program - it is a lifestyle that will improve your general well-being.

So whether you're seeing results or not, keep practicing until yoga has become part of your everyday routine - it is only then you'll discover what yoga has to offer.

Michelle Nicole is an avid fan of the healthy lifestyle. Yoga is her passion and she shared her love for the discipline through her book Yoga for Beginners. If you'd like to learn more yoga beginner's tips and other helpful info from Michelle Nicole, her book is also available in kindle edition.

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