Hello yogis!
I've got some tips to help your home yoga-life, as well as some suggestions on greening-up your practice.
1. PROPS are always optional my friends, but what they can do is ease you into poses that may otherwise feel impossible, or get you deeper into a posture. The three props I'd recommend you have handy as a beginner are:-
- A yoga mat
- 2 yoga blocks (preferably foam)
- A yoga strap
To see some of my recommendations click here.
2. DRESS CODE. There is some truly beautiful yoga stuff out there. Among them are some great companies which operate with ethical mindfulness and design clothes specifically for yogis... two recommendations are Fabletics and Yoga Club Box (use CANDI20 to get 20% off your first box). But, of course, you don't have to spend a fortune on clothes just to do yoga. So when the pennies are low all you actually need is something comfy that you can move freely in - even pj's will do! Just avoid wearing belts or excessive jewelry as they can get in the way of your practice.
3. STAY LIGHT... Try not to practice yoga after a heavy meal. In India, it is advised to practice on an empty stomach, or 2-3 hours after a meal. This is partly why yoga first thing in the morning is most beneficial. But of course, it's a personal thing. The most important thing is to fit yoga into your schedule whenever and wherever you can. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself to only practice in the mornings, because any yoga is better than no yoga, am I right?😉
4. CONSISTENCY IS KEY! Just like everything in life, the more you do something, the better you get at it. Practice yoga as often as you can and as often as you feel your body needs it. With time and consistency, not only will the physical body improve in balance, flexibility and strength, but the mind will become still and calm, your spirit will awaken through that stillness and stress/anxiety will have less of a hold over your life. So give yourself the time you need to find inner peace and acceptance through regular practice. In the beginning, a few times a week is enough...then build it from there. If you have any questions about how often I do yoga, you can drop me a comment below.
5. STAY SAFE... Your practice is unique, just like you! Everybody is different, we all have different requirements, strengths and weaknesses. So the best way to stay safe during your Asana (physical) practice is to listen to your body, never push it too far. In other words, listen to your body's whispers, so you don't have to hear its screams! One of the best things about yoga is it's never a competition, it is an internal and personal practice. Our goal is not to achieve the advanced yoga poses, but to find inner peace, stillness and awareness. Bear that in mind and the rest will come. I'd also recommend if you're pregnant or have any medical issues of any sort, always seek advice from a doctor before preforming any form of physical exercise.
6. RELAX... One of the greatest joys about a yoga practice is the final resting pose, Shavasana (don't you agree? ;)) And there's way more to Shavasana (or corpse pose) than simply lying on your back and enjoying a rest after a challenging Vinyasa flow, or a relaxing restorivate practice. Some yogis even believe this is the most vital yoga pose, and the most beneficial. How, you ask? Well, it's not going to give you abs of steel or the perfect set of guns (which yoga's not about anyway), but Shavasana is yoga for the mind, just like meditation. Here are just a few of the benefits of ending your practice in Shavasana (especially after a tough session).
1. Shavasana relaxes the whole body.
2. Releases stress, fatigue and tension.
3. Allows you to practice being in the present moment, by allowing your thoughts to pass.
4. This posture brings a deep, meditative state of rest, helping the body to repair tissues and cells.
5. It helps reduce blood pressure, anxiety, and insomnia.
If you'd like to incorporate more mindfulness into your practice through meditation but don't know how? Then take a look at my FREE quick and easy 5 day series.
The main thing is to keep enjoying the growing process.
Sending much love and light,
Candace
xoxo
Yoga is for everyone, together let’s be present!
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