I have made many mistakes in my practice, both mine and those of students. We learn from mistakes, but sometimes they pay dearly.
1. Confusing yoga practice with fitness
If you just want a toned body but no more, do better fitness. Yoga is not a headstand, it’s not circus tricks, and it’s not even the lotus position. Don’t chase results! Yoga asanas are getting to know your body, and preparing for sitting postures in Meditation.
2. Forget about breathing
Breathing is also part of Yoga. This section is called pranayama. The most important point in the practice of Yoga is the coordination of breath and movement, or lack of it. In the initial stages of asana practice, it is important to learn to control your breathing. Unconscious breath holding, which often happens in the practice of beginners, leads to injuries.
3. Practice without a warm-up
Yoga practice is philosophy, methodology, rituals, lifestyle. If you throw out one thing, it is no longer Yoga, but God. It is the same in the practice of asanas, without a warm-up: “Don’t get in – it will kill you!” From the outside, everything seems simple and easy, strange people sit with their eyes closed, are silent, do nothing. The fact is that you are looking from the outside world at the shell. What happens inside is infinite and invisible in three dimensions.
4. Postpone practice until tomorrow
Tomorrow doesn’t exist. Did you know about it? Yoga Practice – 24/7. Yoga is life, it is you in every moment. Postponing the practice is simply impossible, it is like postponing breathing. You can’t say, “Oh, okay! Tomorrow I will breathe better, today I will relax. If you are not able to devote time to the practice of asanas, this does not mean that you cannot practice Yoga.
Yoga Nidra before bed, Yoga Therapy in the office or in the park, Yoga Kriya in the morning – like brushing your teeth.
All these simple practices are your yoga lifestyle!
Article by Maria Zobova – https://www.urbanpro.com/rishikesh/masha-r-yoga-for-women-face-and-eyes-yoga-20-years-of-experience
