How To Maximise Your Yoga Practice

How to Maximise Your Yoga Practice

Maximise your practice by preparing what you may need before your Yoga session.

Contents

  1. Preparation
  2. Stepping consciously onto your mat
  3. During your yoga
  4. After your yoga
  5. Reflection

1. Preparation

Preparation

How to prepare for your Yoga Practice:

Maximise your practice by being organised and ready to step onto your mat, physically and mentally.

Basics to prepare for your yoga:

Yoga mat,
Water to hydrate,
Towel for perspiration and as leverage for some poses,
Something warm to wear after yoga to keep your muscles warm,
And an open mind and a willing body.

If necessary, depending on the weather:
Sun lotion and peak,
A sarong or wrap to keep warm during Savasana.
😌

Considerations when choosing what to wear;

A pair of pants that are able to stretch,
A fitted top, to avoid flashing in inverted positions, and
A sweatband if you perspire to avoid burning eyes.

Dressing comfortably allows you to focus on your poses without having to constantly adjust your clothing, which distracts you from your flow.

Have your mat, water, and accessories together and ready to go.
Ensure you are well hydrated throughout the day.
Eat a light meal, no less than an hour and a half before yoga.
Know your reason for going to yoga by preparing a specific wellness intention.
Eg. I am healthy, clear, and calm.

Do not rush.

Aim to arrive at class at least 10 minutes early.
Minimise radiation, and if possible, turn your cell phone off.
Calmly unpack and roll out your mat, ready to lean in.

2. Stepping consciously onto your mat

Step up

'Maximise your yoga practice as you step onto your mat.'

Be fully conscious as you step onto your mat to gain the most benefits from your practice.

How to be more mindful as you step onto your mat:

Put your To-Do List aside and tune out of the world.
You are your top priority for the next hour.
Choose to focus only on tuning into yourself.
Pull in all the aspects of your being by connecting with your breath.

Be fully present.
There is nowhere else to be but here now.

Sit (or lie down) quietly, or warm-up while you're waiting to start.
Hold your specific wellness intention in the forefront of your mind.

3. During your yoga

On your mat

Get the most out of your yoga practice by being more mindful throughout the class.
Integrate and balance your body and mind, and you will reap more of the rewards yoga has to offer.

Throughout your practice be mindful to:

Listen to your body.
Breathe!
Focus your breath in rhythm with your movements for the entire sequence.
Mindful breathwork creates a sense of calm.
Never hold your breath unless you're doing advanced locked poses.
More about that later.

Embrace the suggestions from your instructor to enhance your yoga experience.
Remember your relaxed and open mind. Take opportunities to try new things. Be gentle with yourself.

Go at your own pace and continue to expand your comfort zone.
An effort is good but a struggle is not.
Feeling discomfort in a position means you're on your edge...however pain means you've pushed yourself too far. Rather pull back, breathe and ease in again.

Be safe. Know the difference between a good challenge and overextending yourself, which is unsustainable and unsafe.

Work to your unique edge.

Do what feels right, and discover what works for you and what doesn’t.
If you need to take a rest and restore, sink into a surrendering pose such as Child's pose or Savasana...If standing, then perhaps Mountain Pose or a Forward-bend.

Avoid looking around and comparing yourself to other yogis.

Keep your eye contact on a fixed spot depending on the pose. This assists with balance as it takes your mind from distraction to direction. This Drishti, focused gaze, is a means for developing concentrated intention.

Add more value by aligning with the benefits of each pose.
For example, notice your strength and focus in the Warrior pose.
Practice this connection and improve your body-mind consciousness.

If your mind is too active, in anticipation of the day, then give it something constructive to be aware of such as...

-Engage your attention on your intention.
Eg. My body is energised, strong, flexible, balanced, etc…
-Or, focus on the gratitude you have for your health and well-being.

Once you are more confident in a pose, practice flowing into your next pose. Aim at having smooth and graceful transitions between your poses.
Always include Savasana at the end of your practice to assimilate all the benefits that you have derived.

Stretch and cool down, and be sure not to rush off.
After class, ask any questions that may have come up for you.

4. After your yoga

Post-Practice Routine

How to maximise your yoga with your post-practice routine

Post-practice routine:

Maintain an energised yet relaxed presence for the rest of the day.

Hydrate well to assist the body to flush out any toxins.
Clean your mat.
Cleanse yourself of the energy and space from the practice, and change into fresh clothes.

5. Reflection:

Reflect on the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of the class. It may take a few classes to understand how your yoga practice affects you.
Strive for consistency and celebrate the small victories along the way. You will feel the accumulative benefits with regular practice.
True transformation and growth with any new practice come with daily devotion and attention to the small steps along the way.

Yoga is a lifestyle. Keep aware of how much your practice has to offer.

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