To practice yoga is to surrender yourself to yoga

The most important thing when practicing yoga is to calm the mind. When practicing yoga, there should not be any distraction.

Focus on feeling the flow and change of breath among various asanas, try to have a “focused and calm” mind.

A focused and calm mind is a condition of being in one with nature, and at the same time it is unconsciously invisible to the surrounding. 

A calm mind is emitting positive energy.

 

“Be in a yoga state of mind”

Simple movements have their own merits,mastering these simple movements are actually instrumental in practicing yoga. When you start practicing yoga, keep movement natural, be relaxed and casual. When practicing yoga, our mind focused on creating a supportive environment and a mindset of acceptance while our body moves from one pose to another.

Every element, from the clothes you wear to the floor under your feet, should be coordinated and considered as a whole, so that the chance of distraction is minimized.

 

 

-Clothing-

Choose simple, comfortable and clothes that do not restrain your movements so that you can move freely and breathe deeply. Clothing for yoga practice should match the climate and environment. When the weather is hot, wear less clothes. If the weather is cold, wear more layers.

-Barefoot-

Do not wear shoes, going barefoot increases your sensitivity to the elements as well as improving balance and provides a firm grip on the floor. Going barefoot allows you to connect with the surroundings e.g. touching the earth and reacting to the earth’s energy. 

-Food and drink-

Yoga is considered a form of exercise, so don’t start practicing yoga right after eating. Rest for two to three hours after a full meal before practicing yoga. Look for a well balanced meal.

-Injuries and diseases-

If you are injured or sick, the best advice is to be alert and understand your body. Make sure you know your physical condition well, if possible, consult your yoga instructor for advice and treatment techniques, and ask your doctor if there is anything that requires special attention. 

-Pain and comfort-

It is to be expected that some moderate pain and discomfort will occur in the body when you first practice yoga. The body that has been inactive for a long time will definitely complain loudly, even if you actively want to get vitality and health from constant practice. The key to overcoming this initial difficulty is to maintain perseverance.

 

Start slowly, using patience, awareness, and positive mindset when training new poses to avoid injury. Know your “personal limit” for each posture so you can embrace your discomfort without fear of overextending. Do not take shortcuts, force or rush into a new pose. Adjust your breathing, posture and center of gravity to relax yourself. Remember Yoga is not a competition, but a lifestyle of having a clear mind, free of stress and a positive mindset. 

Train in postures that suits your current experience and level. Remember, this should be fun!

– Its okay to be a beginner –

In the first few weeks, you may be a little anxious, hoping to catch up with everyone’s progress. But in fact, you don’t need to be rush, accept being a beginner. Slowly explore which yoga postures are suitable for yourself and which are not, then slowly work your way forward. Keep an optimistic mindset and keep practicing to accumulate more experience and train your body to be stronger. Remember to treat yoga as a fun lifestyle, don’t put yourself in too much pressure!

Listen to the sound of the body and practice yoga without injury. I often follow the four key points of practicing asanas:

1. Keep breathing

No matter what asana you are performing, or which step in the asana, keep breathing at all times. If you find that your body needs more strength and energy, breathing can give your body qi, energy, and power, helping you to perform each individual position easily and comfortably.

2. When your body sends out a signal, listen carefully

You can adjust the intensity of the exercise according to your physical condition. Each person’s physical condition is different. We must always take care of and pay attention to our physical and mental state, so we can make the practice of asanas smooth.

3. Maintained Pose

When performing asanas, it is very important to stay as far as possible for five to twenty seconds, or as long as the body can withstand. Please take note of your own physical condition, past experience, and teacher’s recommendations and do not “force” it if your body is not ready. When the body is maintained in a certain posture for a long time the body part has enough time to stretch and strengthen. Maintaining static pose also burns excess fat and makes you feel light and burden-free.

4. Stay happy

The fourth point is very important. When practicing yoga asanas, it is important to let go of daily stresses accumulated in daily life, and maintain an empty mind. If you can do this, you will feel the real benefits of practicing yoga. Smiling is the common language of the world and if you are able to smile when performing asanas comfortably and happily, which means you have fulfilled the spirit of asanas. Feelings of comfort, pleasure, and happiness can establish an indestructible connection between “I” and “Self” (personal consciousness and cosmic consciousness).

The four key points mentioned above are to keep the body and mind healthy.

When practicing, grasp the principle of asanas, always stick your hands and feet firmly into the ground, evenly distribute body weight, lengthen the spine, create more space for the body, breathing and know one’s body limits. Always be patient, know the limits of your body, maintain gentle breathing and let your body and mind stay in the moment, savor every deep breath and every pose.From here on, let us understand ourselves in yoga.