Whether you’ve been doing yoga for years or just picking it up now, you’re definitely on the right path. Yoga is a form of mental and physical exercise that is healthy and beneficial to the whole body. It consists of a series of stretches, meditations and relaxation techniques that can bring inner peace and energy. Thus, yoga aids in the body’s flexibility, the toning and strengthening of muscles and can even lessen aches, pains and ailments. Below are some tips that every girl should become familiar with in order to make yoga a better experience.

Necessities

A yoga mat is essential. Sometimes the gym or location where your class is will have extra mats; however, these mats can be full of germs and also not have the proper padding or grip that is needed for particular stretches. You can find yoga mats at Target or Wal-Mart ranging from $12-30 in different colors. Stores also carry a small block called a yoga brick, which some people use to aid them during class. It can help in certain yoga poses but is not absolutely necessary to have. A small towel and water bottle should always be taken to class. Wear loose cotton clothing; a tee shirt or tank top with cotton pants is sufficient. Be prepared to sweat at least a little bit. For comfort, hair should be tied back so it won’t fall in your eyes during stretches. Wear flip flops to slip off as shoes are not worn in class.

Class

Yoga usually starts off with a couple minutes laying on your back with your eyes closed, meditating. Depending on which type of yoga class you’re attending, a series of stretches will follow meditation and end with another 5-10 minutes of meditation/relaxation. Power Yoga aims to get the heart rate up so the body sweats more and involves a bit more of a cardio workout. Yoga Stretch focuses on poses that stretch and relax all the muscles. Yoga Stretch is more low-key. Bikram Yoga, or Hot Yoga, is when the temperature of the room is turned up to at least 90 degrees, so that the body sweats profusely. Very little clothing is worn to this class.

Poses

There are many different poses in yoga; listed below are common stretches used in all classes, and the basics of how to perform them.

Child’s Pose

Usually class begins and ends with child’s pose. It is also used to rest in between vigorous stretches. Students are encouraged to revert to child’s pose anytime they are feeling tired. While sitting on your knees with your legs tucked underneath you, bend your body completely forward so that your head is almost touching the ground. You can either keep your forearms stretched in front of you or keep them behind you parallel with your back. Keep your legs apart from each other and your head facing downward.

Downward Facing Dog

While standing, bend over so the palms of your hands are planted firmly on the ground apart from each other. Move both feet back and apart from each other so now your body is shaped like an upside down V. Keep your head facing down. This position is usually transitioned to from child’s pose and vice versa.

Dolphin Pose

This pose is exactly the same as downward facing dog; however, instead of planting your palms firmly on the ground, rest your forearms completely flat on the ground so there is no pressure on the wrists. This position is good for people with carpel tunnel syndrome.

Eagle Pose

While standing, keep the knees slightly bent. Keeping the right foot on the ground, cross the left thigh over the right. Hook the left foot behind the right calf to hold the pose and try to balance on your right foot. With your hands, put your forearms parallel to each other (with your hands pointing toward the ceiling). Now take your left arm and cross it in front of the right arm. Stretch so that the palms are touching each other. Make sure your fingers are pointing upwards. Switch feet and arms and do the same position.

Chair Pose

While standing, bend the knees slightly. Raise your arms all the way to the ceiling and keep your palms facing toward each other.

Warrior I, II and III Pose

1. While standing, place your right foot about 3 feet behind the left foot. Bend the left knee forward, while your left foot is pointing straight in front of you and the right foot is faced slightly to the right. Either keep your hands on your hips, lift your arms straight in front of you or above you with your hands pointed toward the sky. If you hold your arms in the last position, keep your head tilted upward.

2. While in Warrior I pose, take your arms so that the left arm is pointing straight ahead in front of you and the right arm is pointing towards the back. While doing this keep your head facing forward.

3. Now lift your right leg off the ground and bend your body forward while balancing on your left foot. Stretch both arms in front of you with your hands pointed and your palms facing each other.

Switch feet and repeat Warrior I, II and III.

Wrapping Up

There are several variations of the poses above as well as many other positions altogether. But its helpful to get familiar with these basics in order to succeed in yoga class. Once you have these positions mastered, you will be able to move onto more challenging positions and get a better work out and overall body stretch.

Meditation

Once the stretches are complete, the instructor will ask the class to lay on their backs once again with their eyes closed and get as comfortable as possible. Lights will be turned off and music played (most of the time) so that all stress and negativity of the day and week will melt away. Meditation is a huge part of yoga, as relaxing the mind before and after stretching the muscles, brings more energy and inner peace to you.