The Yoga rules

By Yardley Moore

Yoga, as a discipline, can lead to the rejuvenation of your spirit and this in itself is a worthwhile pursuit. However, this is only the beginning and through the practice of developing basic yoga exercise positions and postures (and then advanced yoga positions) it is possible to achieve a fusion of spirit, body and mind. This all takes time, however, and there are no short cuts. If you are new to yoga, you must start out slowly and learn basic yoga positions for beginners before you attempt to strengthen your body or try more advanced practices such as improving blood flow throughout your system. Start slowly and avoid the temptation to run before you can walk. Slow practise of these different yoga positions for beginners, however, can provide immediate spiritual, mental and physical benefits.

Be like the tortoise, not the hare!

Yoga exercise positions can take some getting used to. Don't forget that when you first start trying out the various yoga positions, your body will be relatively inflexible and so vulnerable to injury if you attempt too much, too soon. Speed up later on, but get the basics right from the outset. Trust me, your body will thank you for the patience! You will need to learn the correct stretching postures from the outset and also develop the correct mental skills - remember, yoga is good for the whole system. Be realistic, you WILL feel slightly awkward at first, but this is natural and is not a reason to quit. Gradually, the wonderful physical and mental benefits will start to manifest in all areas of your life. Isn't that worth waiting for?

So, what can you expect?

Well, these different yoga positions for beginners include such positions/poses as standing and sitting. Sounds simple, doesn't it? However, these basic positions are essential in correcting any imbalance in your posture and must be mastered before moving on to more advanced yoga positions. These first, basic steps also help to strengthen the entire back and hips. Balance is also very important and so you will need to perfect a series of forward and backward bends. Again, they aren't particularly difficult, but these poses also have the added benefit of developing flexibility in your body and will enable you to release tension from your entire system.

Essentially, you must learn to 'listen' to what your body is telling you; don't push too hard for too long. Your capabilities WILL improve over time but if you initially attempt too much then injury could result and this will set you back even further. A yoga instructor is necessary to provide a daily routine for you to follow. Yes, yoga books have their place, but you simply can't make as much progress as with the guiding hand of an experienced practitioner of the art. Join a class, see what problems and benefits other beginners are experiencing and then go for it.

Remember, yoga positions for beginners are simply that - a stepping stone to more advanced techniques which will yield even greater physical and mental benefits.

Here's to speedy progress!

Yardley Moore invites you to discover more about the great benefits of yoga by visiting http://www.YourYogaTips.com where you will find lots of information and advice about yoga positions for beginners.