How to Do Yoga Poses? It Can Be as Easy as Sitting

Once you have made up your mind that you are going to take up yoga, the first question becomes how to do yoga poses. There are a number of ways to get started but before you do you should first make an assessment of yourself to determine any physical limitations you might have. Better still, consult with your doctor and get their input on your condition: Some conditions can be overcome with items such as belts, blocks of wood, etc.

The first, and best, option is to take a class. Even if you are unable to commit to a long term program, you will benefit from a short period of classroom work. One of the key elements in how to do yoga poses is alignment, and it is often difficult for us to determine if we are properly aligned on our own. A trained yoga instructor will be able to correct any mistakes you are making, and once you understand what is entailed in a pose and how it feels, you can do them on your own. Yoga is also about breathing and proper sequencing of postures. An instructor can help you understand the role calmness plays and how it is tied in to breathing well.

However it may not be practical to go to a studio. If this is so, your next best option will be to watch DVD’s or online videos to get an idea of what you are to do. If you are considering purchasing a DVD, do a little homework. All yoga is not the same: Some poses are very slow and serene while others are flowing and dynamic. Some schools stress alignment while for others it is not as important. Exercises are just the iceberg’s tip of yoga. Each school stresses aspects such as breathing, meditation and spirituality in their own unique way. If you are getting started and are interested in only the physical aspect, find a DVD from a school emphasizing this.

The Internet is an invaluable resource: a quick look will yield thousands of suggestions to get you started. Websites such as YouTube have people demonstrating every pose there is; by looking at the various websites you will learn the names of each pose.

So how do you do yoga poses? Look at one or two, find a quiet place, empty your mind and do them. Breathe deep and be gentle. No puffing and grunting. Yoga is teaching the body what it was designed to do.