Balancing Yoga Poses For Beginners
Welcome to your yoga practice. Whether you’re new to yoga or rediscovering the practice, this guide will get you on the mat, moving, breathing, and meditating your way to a healthier, happier you.
Yoga is the simplest form of self-healing. I know this from my own experience and what I observe in my students. Almost anyone can enjoy yoga’s benefits. You don’t have to be in perfect shape or change your life to start your practice. You can do it anytime and anywhere. The point of yoga is not perfection. In fact, the first ancient Yoga Sutra says, “Atha yoga anushasanam ,” which means,
“Now, the practice of yoga begins.” The point is simply to begin.
In my yoga journey, I’ve found myself beginning again and again. As a dancer, in my teens, I practiced yoga solely for the physical benefits of increased strength and flexibility.
Balancing Yoga Poses For Beginners Photo Gallery
Then in my twenties, when struggling with self-destructive habits and the death of a partner, I took up yoga again by tapping into the mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits it offered. By studying the yogic texts and philosophy, I explored the deeper practices of meditation, pranayama (breathing techniques), and mantra (the repetition of sacred Sankrit sounds). These practices guided me to look within, rather than externally, for the peace and happiness I was searching for.
In my thirties, following hip and knee surgery, I returned for physical healing. My focus shifted toward conscious alignment and the stacking of bones and joints to achieve stability. I learned the blessings and work involved in even the simplest movements like standing, balancing, and sitting. Instead of trying to achieve complicated poses, this stage of my practice was all about having a curious beginner’s mind and becoming a better teacher by listening.
