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8 Tips for Beginning Yogis

New to yoga? These tips will help you get started.

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Yoga is the poster child for inner peace but the practice also offers a number of challenging poses that can greatly improve your physical health.

According to the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), yoga can decrease chronic pain, lower blood pressure and reduce insomnia.

Health Benefits of Yoga

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Yoga can also act as a positive outlet for stress, all while boosting muscle tone, flexibility, energy and vitality. Yoga can also help improve respiration, promote weight loss and increase overall heart health, according to the AOA.

Whatever the reason you decided to try yoga, be glad you did. Yoga not only feels great, it's great for you.

And it may even help improve your mental and physical well being — on and off the mat.

Health Benefits of Yoga

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Trying something new can be intimidating.

Balancing for an hour in a room full of strangers can cause some anxiety, but there are some easy ways to make that first yoga class less stressful.

So, before you head to your neighborhood studio, check out these helpful tips for beginning yogis.

Namaste

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Yoga classes can be full depending on where you go, making it easy to get overwhelmed. But don’t let the crowd ruin yoga for you.

Bring a friend with you to class to make it more enjoyable. Having a friendly face there to keep you motivated can make all the difference.

If the class still feels too crowded for you, look for a small yoga class where you can get more individual attention.

Go with a Friend

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You wouldn’t go running without tennis shoes, so don’t go to yoga class without a mat.

Buying a mat is an important step before your first yoga class because you can’t do yoga without them.

Mats soak up sweat and keep you from slipping in the studio.

Many outlets have mats for purchase or rent.

Get a Mat

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Sometimes bringing a mat just isn’t enough, especially if you are trying a hot yoga class.

Towels can also improve your toes’ grip on the mat and help soak up the sweat, so there’s less chance of slipping.

A simple bath towel may not be enough, so check out towels made specifically for yoga.

Bring a Towel

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So what if it's your first time to try yoga? Chances are you aren’t the only one.

Enjoy where you stand as a yogi right now don’t let the skills of others keep you from having a great time.

Just apply yourself and you’ll be a yoga pro before you know it.

Don't Compare Yourself

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Going to the right class with the right instructor can make or break your yoga experience.

If you don’t love your instructor, try another instructor, class or even studio.

There are endless possibilities out there and one of them is sure to fit your style.

Shop Around

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Some poses may seem way over your head during your first yoga class, but that’s okay. You will get there one day!

If a pose is too much for you, don’t force yourself to do it. Pushing yourself into a pose you aren’t ready for can lead to injury.

Most yoga instructors will have tips for how to modify poses to fit your specific fitness and experience level.

Be True to Yourself

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Some poses may seem way over your head during your first yoga class, but that’s okay. You will get there one day!

If a pose is too much for you, don’t force yourself to do it. Pushing yourself into a pose you aren’t ready for can lead to injury.

Most yoga instructors will have tips for how to modify poses to fit your specific fitness and experience level.

Be True to Yourself

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Shape, "12 Top Tips for Beginner Yogis"Kids Health, "Why Yoga for Stress Relief?"How Stuff Works, "Don't try too hard"Educate-Yourself, "Immunity Boosting"Yoga Authority, "Choosing The Best Yoga Towel"American Yoga Association, "How Yoga Helps Reduce Anxiety and Manage Stress"One Tree Yoga, "Yoga Etiquette"Arthritis Foundation, "Beginner Yoga: 10 Tips to Help You Get Started"Do You Yoga, "5 Tips for Starting a Yoga Practice as a Beginner"Art of Living, "Basic tips to get started with yoga"Art of Living, "Yoga : What Is Yoga?"American Osteopathic Association, "The Benefits of Yoga"

---Last Updated: July 10, 2014Source: http://www.rxwiki.com/slideshow/8-tips-beginning-yogis/

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