For your well-being

World Yoga Day

Awise yoga master once said, “Yoga is union, but it isn’t just a union as we always say of our nose to our knees; it is the union of our self to the divine; when we really start living Yoga in every minute and every moment, then we heal and we bring healing to the earth.”

Yoga promotes both, the physical and mental well-being of humanity. During the pandemic, we witnessed psychological suffering and mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, as pandemic-related restrictions continue in various forms in many countries. This has highlighted the urgent need to address the mental health dimension of the pandemic, in addition to the physical health aspects. And so, there is a growing trend of people around the world embracing yoga to stay healthy and rejuvenated and to fight social isolation and depression has been witnessed during the pandemic.

Although, while many of us are enthusiastic about starting something incredible as yoga, regular yoga practice may be a difficult thing to establish. This week You! has some useful tips for you to get started…

Find a good teacher: It is much easier and more enjoyable, to learn yoga, with all its detailed and subtle physical and mental aspects, from an experienced, qualified, teacher. Do your research and figure out what techniques work for you. You can also find plenty of free videos on YouTube, or different apps that will guide you through your yoga journey.

Prep yourself: Get the necessary accessories for your yoga practice. All you really need is a yoga mat, preferably non-slip. Invest in a good quality mat that suits your needs and will last a long time. Blocks are a great addition but they can be replaced with books and other household things. A bolster is also nice to have, but you can also use a stack of pillows and blankets instead.

Moreover, it is advisable not to eat for one or two hours before yoga practice, and to drink only small amounts of water beforehand and to not drink during practice. It’s also best to avoid sugar or caffeine before yoga.

Create a yoga spot: If you have an extra room that you can devote to your yoga, great! Having your yoga mat unrolled and out all the time is certainly inviting. Most of us, however, have to be more flexible and create a space when we want to practise. Try and find a spot where it’s peaceful and quiet, with as much space around you as possible. An empty piece of wall can be handy too since the wall is a great prop. If you like, it can be nice and even helpful to create some atmosphere with a candle or an incense stick.

Listen to your body: It’s important that you stay safe and avoid injuries. Always watch your boundaries and especially be mindful of your body’s vulnerable areas, such as knees, hips, spine and neck. If you feel any painful sensations, adjust, soften, come out of the pose if you need to. Don’t force or push.

Don’t compare yourself with others: Look inwards to your own progress; there will always be people who are more experienced than you. Yoga may be fashionable, but it is not a spectator sport or a competition. Appreciate the subtle progress of your own practice, the best part of it is on the inside, in the healing awareness and unity of your own body, mind and spirit.

Don’t forget to breathe: Yoga is all about finding a healthier, deeper harmony between our body and mind, and our breathing is central to this. Breathe into your whole body in the poses, and relax. There is a lot to learn about healthy breathing in yoga.

Practice regularly: You know what they say, practice makes perfect! Whether you are practising once a week, thrice a week or every day… just make sure you are doing it. Find out what works for you, set realistic targets and follow through to achieve your goals.