If you haven’t been exercising for a long time, don’t expect you to be able to comfortably do what you could do 20 or 30 years ago. Yoga is a spiritual exercise, and it really is just to do a little less. If you’re doing a little less than you can, you’ll stay safe and you’ll be able to progress easily with regular practice.
Give instruction in price. If you’re new to yoga, it might be a good idea to find a private yoga teacher. Find an experienced, certified yoga teacher who will work one-on – one with your body and personal needs until you attend a large class where you won’t get the focus you need.
With your yoga teacher, be open and honest. Let your yoga teacher know you may have experienced any old or new injuries. Ask the teacher if their students are physically touched and modified. If they do, ask if they can do their best to refrain but give you verbal corrections instead and let you know when you’re right. Verbal adjustments will allow you to feel and think for yourself, work on your focus and listening skills, and give your teacher freedom and independence.
Take responsibility for your body, especially for the parts that are really mobile. Grow the practice of scanning your joints from head to toe in each pose. There are far too many injuries to the shoulder caused by a regular practice of wrong yoga. This is most likely due to the mistaken pose of the downward dog and plank. Externally move your hands in the downward dog. When moving the crease of your elbows towards your thumb you will move your shoulders externally. Your scapula (shoulder blades) is depressed by pressing the head of your shoulders in the direction of your heels.
Realize the fact that everyone is your superior and enjoy it. Yoga isn’t a race. If you look around the room and compete or compare yourself with your neighbour, you don’t practice yoga principles. Concentrate on you. You practice yoga for YOUR fitness and well-being after all.
