Since ancient times, people have practiced yoga as a physical, mental, and spiritual exercise to lose weight, manage stress, and relieve anxiety. It has recently gained social media traction as influencers from all over the globe have taken a liking to the meditative exercise. You may have noticed yoga studios popping up just about everywhere, but have been somewhat appalled by the astronomical cost of some classes.
It never hurts to take a class here and there, especially if you are trying it out for the first time. But you will soon find out that yoga is more than just an exercise. Its relaxing nature will draw you in, and at one point, you will end up wanting to spend hours each day trying to perfect your practice.
In that case, then you can try practicing yoga at home. Yoga practice may seem like something only advanced yogis do, but it is very beginner-friendly. Some of the best yoga books for beginners will guide you through each step, which will help you find your rhythm as you explore your mind, body, and soul. Here are some essentials to prepare you for self-practice.
Find A Safe Space
The physical world can be very stressful, and even your home can be an unideal location to practice yoga if it contributes to your anxiety. Consider finding a large, quiet, and clutter-free clearing at home, where you can smoothly move around and stretch without feeling constricted. The floor is your domain — keep essentials such as your yoga mat, foam rollers, towels, blankets, and water. But ensure that they are organized at a small corner of the room, as you ideally want an uncluttered space where you can be at ease.
If you are fond of trinkets, ornaments, and the like, then make room for elements that evoke happiness. These can help you build confidence and become less scared to try new things. Otherwise, turn your space into a liberating abode, spread your wings with the Flying Bakasana, and move your spine with the Marjariasana. Your practice is limitless in an area where you feel free.
Follow A Guide
For your yoga self-practice to become successful, you should follow a guide that can help you in all aspects of practicing at home. From structuring your exercises to build enough confidence to move with creativity and finding ways to motivate yourself, there are a lot of things that the best yoga books for beginners cover.
YouTube tutorials might be useful for 5-minute yoga sessions. But if you want to incorporate yoga into your life, then do consider a more substantial guide. A book can offer you plenty of information that influencers may gloss over. Finding the motivation, confidence, and courage to go beyond beginner poses can be difficult without a teacher, but you will learn how to use your mind and body to its full extent with the right resource.
Remember, yoga is only tricky when you do not free your mind from the thought of being unable to do better. Self-practice yoga allows you to do things at your own pace, in your own time, and in a state that you are most comfortable in — take advantage of that and work toward becoming a stronger yogi.
Set Goals
Like any activity in the world, you will find yourself in a stagnant loop if you do not set goals. A goal will give a direction to your practice and will help you keep track of your progress. A good yoga book will help you figure out what you should be aiming for at your skill level.
But keep things realistic — as much as goals are essential, they can also be detrimental. The failure to achieve your goals within the allotted period can take a hit on your confidence. Therefore, you have to think through your objectives thoroughly.
Start with small things, like learning to breathe correctly or stabilizing your balance. With enough practice, you should progress at an enjoyable, steady rate and can eventually set your sights upon more significant achievements.