One of the best things about Yoga is that you can start it any time, any place and at any age. The ultimate stress buster works for just about everyone motivated enough to give it a go. With so many practitioners of medicine now promoting Yoga, here’s a quick guide for beginners to get them all set to begin.

1. Get a good teacher

I cannot stress this point enough. Most people end up quitting or giving up because they have no one to motivate them or inspire them and that’s where a good Yogi makes all the difference. Finding someone who is passionate about Yoga and also has the right knowledge will go a long way in making you a successful Yoga practitioner. It is so much easier to learn such a detailed and subtle art, from an experienced, qualified and reliable master rather than from an e-book, TV channel or YouTube video. A teacher’s presence really helps you calm down and relax and is therefore essential for building your confidence.

2. Be aware of things that can help you

If you are a yoga beginner, it is almost certain that you are unaware of certain elements or items that can help you when it comes to actually doing asanas. Having an understanding of these ‘props’ and being able to use them will greatly benefit your yoga practice and will also make it more comfortable for you. Here’s a look at some Yoga essentials that are sure to help you out:

• Yoga mats– These make sure you have a good grip and prevent you from toppling over when practicing on smooth floors. It also provides cushioning and therefore helps to relieve from stress from your legs.
•  Yoga block– These help to stabilize yourself while trying out poses that require you to bend over. It might not be easy for you to reach the floor when starting out and these blocks let you achieve your goal without too much of a hassle.
• Yoga strap– These come in very handy when you aren’t being able to grab and hold on to your hand or leg. Certain poses require you to have a firm grip and a good hold over your appendages which might not be initially possible. The strap gives you enough backing to try out these poses and can be eliminated once you are able to hold or reach your feet without external aid.

3. Understand your limitations

Don’t push yourself too much initially and make the process difficult. Most people have a tendency to over-exert themselves in the first month or so, hoping for better and faster results. On the other hand, this overexertion does more harm than good in the long run. Yoga is an ancient practice that takes a lot of time to master. Repetition and practice is the only things that will help you master yoga and trying to hasten the process will only be detrimental. Talk to your instructor if you find a particular pose too difficult and follow his guidance on how to go about doing it. Find out which poses to avoid, and which ones are most beneficial.

4. Eat Healthy

There’s no point practicing Yoga if you still eat unhealthy food. The complete benefits of doing Yoga become more evident only when you adopt the Yoga lifestyle. Yoga isn’t just a practice or exercise, on the contrary it is a way of living. Embrace the life in its entirety to reap all of its benefits. Avoid eating two to three hours before a practice session and drink only small amounts of water before the session. Avoid alcohol, sugar or caffeine before yoga. Make sure you compensate by drinking lots of water after the session as it helps to flush out the toxins from your system.

5. Wear comfortable clothes

Wear loose fitting and comfortable clothes that are airy and allow you to breathe. Yoga requires extensive stretching and hence make sure you don’t wear anything that restricts movement. Bending over and toppling are frequent aspects of Yoga and you are at a risk of exposing too much skin if you wear stretch fit gear which work when at the gym.

6. Be regular

Yoga is a practice that takes a lot of patience, time and effort to master. Being regular will help your body adapt and adjust to the exercises and asanas and will therefore be more beneficial. Short but frequent Yoga sessions have been proven to be more effective than long but rare ones. Practicing Yoga just 15 minutes every day will go a long way in having a positive effect on your health and peace of mind. A regular practitioner gives his body more time to get familiar with the different poses and hence will have a more flexible and aware body than someone who does Yoga rarely.

7. Don’t compare

Don’t ever feel demotivated because someone else seems to be doing better than you. Always remember that each person has a unique body and metabolism and will therefore adapt and grow at different speeds. Compare yourself only to yourself and don’t think of Yoga practice as some competition to be won. It isn’t a spectator sport wherein you need to feel the pressure to perform. Appreciate the subtle progress of your own practice and keep at it till you excel in your way. Wherever you stand in your yoga practice, be happy with it and don’t compare yourself to other students in the yoga class. Don’t ever feel pressurized and over-exert yourself.

Keep these tips in mind when you enroll for the first time and make the best out of your classes. In the end, no matter what, Yoga will do wonders to your physical and mental health and will play a crucial role in your overall health and well-being if practiced.