Fitness

Tips For Effectively Practising Yoga

• By Grandmaster. E Ikpeme
• March 25, 2025

The best times for practicing yoga are early morning and evening. Some people find that their bodies are stiff in the morning, while others find that their attention wanders in the evening. Experiment to find what suits you best

 

Some tips that can help with your yoga practice

 

Always carry out the limbering exercise, even if you find, especially in warm weather, that you don’t feel inclined to

Remember, however, that these sequences are designed specially to prepare those parts of your body that you are going to use in the posture.

 

Do not practice yoga just after a meal

Try to leave at least an hour after a snack and two hours or more after a main meal. Some people like to have some water handy—and maybe a biscuit—while they are practicing

 

Attend to matters of personal hygiene before practicing yoga.

If you can, have a shower, which help you to feel fresh and supple

 

Your clothing for yoga practice should be light and loose, but remember to keep warm, especially for the breathing and meditation exercises.

It is best if the room is warm but not stuffy. Ideally, practice if a room is warm but not stuffy. Ideally, practice in a room where fresh air is circulating but try to avoid a cool draught, especially on you. the room should be sufficiently light for you to see what you are doing—and to read the instructions, of course—but too much bright light could reduce the relaxing effect of the yoga.

 

 

Make sure there is enough room to practice yoga

This is so that you do not have to stop to move furniture around. If you have only a narrow space, you can always turn sideways for some of the techniques. You might find it useful, now and then, to use a mirror to see how you are getting on. 

But do this only occasionally—it’s not a good idea to start regularly assessing your progress in this way, and in any case, it’s difficult to do most of the techniques and see what you are doing in a mirror at the same time.

 

It is a good idea to have a mat that you use only for yoga

This will help you to feel that your practice time is special. Ideally, the mat should be at least 2 meters (6 feet) long and 1 meter (3 feet) wide. You can buy washable, non-slip yoga mats, but any soft washable surface will do to start with. For some techniques, you may prefer to work without a mat

 

Some people like to have a fragrance in the room while they practice yoga and to have a candle burning.

This gives a sense of occasion and to help with meditation. Soft music and a clock quietly ticking away the seconds can also help

 

Regard your yoga practice sessions as opportunities to have quiet constructive times on your own

Prepare for them with pleasant anticipation. Perform the techniques with keen attention to detail, but not with anxiety.

Be gently objective with your progress, noting your greater and lesser successes and looking forward to your next opportunity to perform those techniques. Think more about style than effort; more about elegance than achievement. Yoga is about travelling, as well as arriving.

 

Most of the posture movements works best with a structured breathing sequence

Learn the movements first, breathing just as you need. Then add the breathing sequence—and you will really feel the difference!

 

Consider keeping a diary of the programs you perform

You can also include a note of your success

 

The point of the whole exercise is to become physically fitter, mentally more alert and emotionally calmer. You should begin to have a real zest for life. Take as long as you need to work towards these goals—and enjoy the journey

 

YOGA PRACTICE ESSENTIALS

Every now and then in yoga, it is nice to get a little help. If you have a medical condition that really limits your ability to perform, consult your doctor. But if you just want a bit of help with some of the yoga techniques, read on:

 

Blocks

Most of us need one or more blocks when we are learning to sit in meditation. Quite hard blocks are best. The best sort to use are firm polystyrene blocks, about 5 cm (2 inches) high, 30 cm (12 inches) long and 20 cm (10 inches) wide.

However, aim to reduce the number that you need. Some blocks are not fire resistant; always check before you buy

 

Blankets

If you have a bony spine or weak or painful neck, it will help to have a blanket under your shoulders in the Shoulder Stand or the Plough. You may also need a blanket under your head for the Corpse pose

 

Stool

If you can’t kneel, a stool will help. Position it under your legs so that you don’t have to bend your knees too far or put pressure on your feet

Straps

If you can’t reach your feet in the Seated Forward Bend or link your fingers in the Cow’s Head, try using a strap to get the benefits of these postures. Regular practice may enable you to do without them but don’t be in a hurry.

 

Sources and References

Ten Minute Yoga by Donald Butler

Yoga's Therapeutic Effect on Perinatal Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis by Guanyu Wang, Ce Liang and Guiju Sun