Starting Your Own Home Yoga Practice

The thing I love about Iyengar Yoga is how Mr. Iyengar has made it accessible to all and focuses on the aspect of how it is even for householders.  As a householder myself, raising three children I find great comfort in that I don't have to be sitting high in a cave by myself for decades to gain some of the benefits of yoga.  That does not make it any less of a discipline though.  

Today I will just write a few things about beginning your own home practice.  Yoga classes are a wonderful way to learn how to correctly bring awareness and alignment into the asanas (postures), but taking the next step of starting a home practice helps you to integrate this knowledge into every cell of your body.

Important first steps:

Place: Finding the space to set up is important but all that is really needed is a quiet, well ventilated area with a clean, level floor and taken from Mr. Iyengar's "Light on Yoga" free of insects. 

Time: The best time to practice is in the morning or late in the evening.  If that is not possible really any time of day can work.  Mr. Iyengar writes about how in the morning even though the poses maybe don't come as easily the mind is more fresh and alert.  In the evening the body moves more freely and can help remove the fatigue of the day.  If you find you won't have time one day you can try to even fit in a few stretches throughout the day.

Food: The yoga asanas should be done on an empty stomach.  Wait four hours after a large meal or about one hour after a light meal.

Clothing: One should not wear anything that is too tight which might restrict breathing or too loose as then the clothes may get in the way during certain poses.  Basically, clothes that allow you to move freely in all directions..even upside down!  It is also important to have bare feet.  This helps to prevent slipping and also helps one to really feel with the feet, spreading the toes and pressing evenly into the feet.

Breathing:  The inhalation and exhalation of all postures should be done through the nose.  This helps to warm and filter the air.

Sun:  It is important not to practice asanas after being out in the sun for many hours.

What else you might need:  A mat.  It is helpful to have a good yoga mat to not only help prevent slipping but also it helps the mind designate an area just for you to do your practice.  And since it is fairly portable you can create this space almost anywhere.

As you continue your home practice I highly recommend a yoga bolster for some of the supported poses that really help to open the body and are great when you are needing a more restorative session.
Also, a strap, blocks and a few blankets are great to have.  Some of these items can just be found around your house. 

Savasana: Allow yourself enough time at the end of your yoga practice to lie down in Savasana for at least 10 minutes. This will help remove any fatigue.

I'm sure I have forgotten a few key points that if anyone notices can let me know.  As a householder though I am now running off to gather children and teach some yoga myself.  Hope to see you there!


Pam Nelson

http://www.plnyoga..blogspot.com