Ask the Everyday Yogini- Practice, Practice, Practice!
Shannon at the Cole Mine posted this question earlier this week in regards to practice for beginners…
I have a question for you Yogini…In beginning yoga, how often do you recommend one practice? I am really wanting to get back into it again, but struggle to find the time. I want to take a class to learn to do the poses correctly (then maybe I can practice on my own at home) but really only have time for class once or twice a week. Any suggestions?
I am so glad that you are finding the time to take a class! Going to a class once or twice a week is a fabulous beginning and will give you a great basis for starting a home practice. After you come home from class, try to take a few minutes to jot down how you feel after your practice and also your favorite poses and key notes about those postures (this will help you develop your home practice).
As far as finding time at home, it’s hard. Just like anything else we choose to spend our time doing, we have to make time (especially when you have small children!). In this instance, though, it is easier than you might think. Once you have gone to even one class, you will have at least one or two asana (poses) that you remember and enjoy. Just do those. Whenever you have a moment, just drop into a pose, with all the attention you can bring to bear in the moment. Even better would be to choose a specific time each day that you will do your chosen asana. Do that everyday and now, you have a home practice! As time marches on, you will find more time on some days, and that will be a wonderful addition to your days!
If you have fifteen minutes, I have a simple sequence that you can download in Word stress-busting-sequence.doc. (I am working on technology to offer sequences on YouTube or by Mp3 files…) If you have an hour, there is a terrific site that you can go to for free Yoga classes that are offered daily (these are better if you are already familiar with the basic poses).
Let me know how it goes with your practice!
February 21st, 2008 at 2:33 am
Thanks for the tips. 15 minutes is about what my daughter and I do in the evening together. I’ll try out the practice in the word file.
February 21st, 2008 at 5:29 am
i am loving the yoga journal podcasts…they are about 20 minutes long and now that there are a few you can do 1 or more!…if you want a visual you can pull up the website for shots of a pose or the whole sequence
February 21st, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I am printing it out right now. Thanks Yogini ~*
February 21st, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I can’t tell you how much this helps….Many many many thanks!!
May 6th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
[…] how about Nona, who helped me feel less intimidated about going to a yoga class now and again. Her post on getting back into yoga and beginning a simple home practice provided just the push I needed to go into a class with a bit more confidence, even though I am the […]