The time you spend practicing yoga, whether in class at the studio or at home, offers abundant physical and emotional benefits. Getting the most out of the class is important to reap the full benefit of the practice. There are several things you can do to get the most out of the time you spend practicing yoga.
Perhaps the most important thing you can do is set aside the time to practice on a consistent basis. This means going to class every time or sticking to your practice schedule at home. If you aren’t practicing regularly, you won’t get the full benefit.
To gain the full emotional benefits of yoga, it is important to clear your mind and remain in the moment. Don’t spend the time mentally writing your shopping list or thinking about the pile of work waiting at home or at the office. Instead, leave all the pressures of life outside the door and focus on this moment in time.
A good way to do this is to focus on your breathing, which is an important part of any practice. Every time you feel your mind begin to wander, come back to the breath to clear away the unwanted thoughts and relax into stillness. Feel the stress exit your body with each breath and inhale energy.
Another important key to getting the most out of your practice is to take your time moving into each pose, holding the pose and moving out of it. Don’t rush through your practice, but fully experience each of the asanas. Focus on your alignment in the pose and how your body feels throughout the process.
While you are focusing on how you feel in the pose, pay attention to any feelings of pain or strain. Yoga is supposed to feel good and the practice is not competitive, so there is absolutely no reason to push yourself. If you feel pain or discomfort, modify the pose to meet your individual level of fitness.
The last thing to do is to fully experience the final relaxation phase, corpse pose. This may seem like just lying there and it is, but that is a good thing. The final relaxation offers several benefits, including relieving stress and anxiety. You will end the class feeling refreshed and relaxed if you follow these tips.