Whether one is a new yoga enthusiast or one is an old hand, it pays to remember where one can make mistakes while practicing yoga, and also, how to avoid these. Mistakes or wrong poses, wrong breathing can all be harmful and also could injure you. Here is more about this…
Do it mindfully, focus: The very essence of yoga is yoking the microcosm called jeevatma with the macrocosm called parmatma. In other words, yoga is about yoking or union of mind and body.Thus other than the physical aspect of exercise, yoga is essentially a spiritual practice too and has to be done mindfully . It can not and should not be done on an autopilot mode, where one is stretching the muscles of the body and bending all over with the mind running helter skelter.
Rather, when done correctly, the yoga practitioner brings the wandering mind back on its track. Yoga increases the steadfastness of the mind when done mindfully and with absolute coordination between mind and body.Sans this, it would be yet another way of just stretching the muscles of the body, that’s all.
So don’t chat while doing yoga, don’t play with your cell phone while practicing yoga, don’t stare out of the window etc.rather focus your mind and lose this focus.
Less is more: Yoga can be customised and modified appropriately to suit one’s body and its flexibility. Some people are flexible and nimble whilst some are stiff with more rigid body . If you belong to the latter group, then ask an expert for appropriate modification of the asanas or the yoga postures so that they suit your body type aptly so.
Don’t overdo the stretching bit just because your nimble yoga buddies or instructor is doing so or just because you read about it and want to emulate them to the T.
Differentiate between pain and discomfort: A little discomfort while practicing yoga is common, at least in the beginning.Listen to your body . Be in touch with yourself so that you can discern between pain and discomfort. Pain stays on, whilst discomfort is usually short-spanned. A little discomfort should not demotivate or scare you.However, if pain persists, stop and release the asana slowly and consult your expert or physician
No push. No rush: Don’t let your instructor push you too hard into a difficult and a risky posture.It might suit her or him while it might impact you in a different way altogether.
Overzealous? Don’t be! : Just because your friend did a 100 suryanamaskars doesn’t mean you copy her or him. Adjust according to your needs lest you end up with spondylosis, slipped disc or even sciatica. Always consult your physician before you embark upon any such an endeavour.
Be careful when doing breathing exercises: According to certain references, when certain advanced pranayams are done with out following the instructions as required, then these can result even in impaired memory and in worst scenarios can even cause memory loss. Ask your yoga expert or consult with your doctor.
Take small steps first: Yes, enroll for the beginner’s class before boldly joining advanced classes. Else face dissatisfaction or an injury .
Complicated asanas require adequate practice: Imagine this. You purchase some locally available yoga CD and try to emulate. This sometimes can be a recipe for disaster. For instance, yoga procedures like Jalaneti, can lead to aspiration pneumonia or even damage the nasal septum. Learn these techniques adequately from an expert and practice them under supervision before you master them completely .
Yoga on a full stomach: Barring a few asanas which actually aid digestion (eg Vajrasana aids in digestion of food), yoga should be avoided on full stomach. Certain asanas for instance, Paschimottasana or even Halasana increase abdominal pressure and cause retching and acid reflux in susceptible individuals. Such people may write yoga off and sadly so when all she or he required was a little guidance in this connection.
