3 Simple Strategies To Get The Most From Your Yoga Class

by: Stefan Simonovic

Source: Flickr

One of the healthiest and least taxing exercises you can subject your body to, yoga is a wonderful way to rid your mind and body of all the negativity that gets accumulated during the day. Doing yoga three times a week strengthens your core, builds muscle and eases the mind, training you to believe in yourself no matter what you face, be it work troubles, local dating mishaps or health problems. Check out how you can get the most out of your yoga class, and enjoy every second of downward facing dog, warrior I or headstand.

#1: Find The Right Instructor

The voice that guides you through the exercises is extremely important in how well you respond to the tasks at hand. If your instructor has a pleasant voice and a relatable personality, you'll run to your class every chance you get and be the last to leave it every time. You'll find all the exercises much easier to do, and your goals will be well within your reach. On the other hand, if you have an instructor who’s out-of-this-world good at doing all the postures it's intimidating, you won't be able to relate, which can put a damper on your motivation. Your instructor doesn't have to be your friend, but it helps if they're someone you have plenty in common with.

#2: Opt For A Place Nearby

Everyone's excited when they’re starting a new workout regime thinking all their past mistakes will not be repeated this time around, such as getting lazy to show up for class or slacking and paying more attention to the watch than the exercise at hand. Well guess what, old habits die hard and the initial excitement quickly wears off, which means finding little ways to help yourself stay in the program as long as possible will come in handy at some point. This is where the proximity to your class comes into play. You'll get the most out of it if it's not too much trouble to get there. Plus, the excuse that it takes you too much time to go to and from class just won't fly. Close proximity won't hurt your commitment, and come summer time shopping for a new bikini will turn out to be pretty enjoyable if you stick around.

#3: Set The Right Goals

The best way to ensure you make progress is to set goals. Goals that are motivational need to be challenging yet attainable, ensuring you put in the effort but get results in return. The beauty of yoga is that it helps you listen to your body and respond properly to what it tells you. If you feel your neck is sore, there are plenty of exercises to target neck muscles and get rid of the problem. If you think you need to work more on your arms, your instructor will be happy to oblige. In other words, the point of yoga isn't to push yourself to the limits but to be in tune with your body. At the same time, you want to see results, and if you set the right goals to respect your body's limits and yet step outside your comfort zone, you'll get the most out of yoga and fall in love with it forever.


About the author:

Stefan is a writer and a blogger in his spare time. He also works for First Beat Media, a company that mainly focuses on the online dating niche and similar services.