Yoga for Beginners
In this month’s new yoga class I’m going back to the basics, focusing on grounding practices like meditation and pranayama to return to centre, and beginner friendly poses to kick off this new habit. Here’s a few thoughts and examples:
Meditation for Grounding
I love beginning a class or any practice for that matter with a short and effective meditation for grounding. Our regular daily lives are often chaotic, filled with noise and rush. So, when we come to the mat, a grounding meditation allows for space to leave all those behind and return to silence and stillness.
Pranayama
Taking a few moments to connect with the breath mindfully can be a powerful experience. Oftentimes we breathe incorrectly — sucking in air through our belly as we inhale and letting out our bellies as we exhale. In reality, as we inhale, we are bringing in fresh air into our bodies and so we should ideally fill our lungs and bellies and they should expand. When we exhale, breath should leave the body and therefore lungs and bellies should contract.
Pranayama — ancient breathing techniques — are useful ways in which we can harness the power of the breath in a multitude of ways. I incorporate breathing techniques into each practice so as to bring a sense of calm, grounding and vital energy.
Asana — Poses
Asanas or poses are not the only vital elements of a yoga practice but it is one that allows for movement. Together with the breath we can connect mind and body, balance both sides of our energies and move toward rejuvenation. From beginner friendly poses such as the seated meditation pose, corpse pose, cat/cow pose, downward facing dog and child’s pose, this class will focus on introductory poses you can incorporate into creating a full and fulfilling yoga practice.
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