Yoga beginners make these 3 mistakes when practicing yoga. They drop a key to finding inner peace and vitality without realizing it. Here are some facts that might inspire you to pay closer attention and treasure that key.
Mistake #1. Not recognizing the value of paying attention to the breath - Inevitably at the very least you are probably becoming more aware of the inhale and exhale as you practice yoga - let us call it the yoga breath. Sometimes you are instructed to hold the pose for 3-5 breaths, and you follow the instructions perhaps without understanding or noting the impact of this simple action.
Fact - Paying attention to your inhalation and exhalation, the yoga breath, trains the mind and increases drops of peace. Initially some people do experience anxiety. Observing the breath also increases awareness of the subtle aspects of your being.
Mistake #2 - Undervaluing yoga breathing exercises - Without an appreciation for the positive and far reaching effects of yoga breathing exercises (pranayama), it is easy to undervalue this subtle practice.
Fact - Yoga breath increases our chances of breathing with the diaphragm instead of at the chest. Diaphragmatic breathing gently massages the organs in the abdomen (yippee!!!) and the heart. If you are a chest breather, first ensure that your abdominal muscles can relax. If they are not relaxed, it is best to practice belly breathing to relax the abdomen before you try breathing from the diaphragm.
Mistake #3 - To exclude pranayama from your daily yoga practice - When you are unaware of the profound benefits of the yoga breath, It is way too easy to exclude yoga breathing exercises from your yoga routine.
Fact -You can surround your movement practice (asana) with the breath. Start and end your practice with breath awareness and perhaps a breathing exercise. Take the opportunity to pray, create an intention, or chant. Touch the real you with the gift of sacred breath.
Mistake #4 - Being unfamiliar with your own breathing process - We know how to enhance external beauty. When do we become aware that our inhalation is habitually too shallow? Or that we can exhale more? Or whether we inhale or exhale through the mouth or nose?
Fact - Our breathing process affects our health, inner peace, and vitality. When we relax deeply the breath becomes deeper. And slowing down and lengthening the exhalation also helps us to relax.
When all is said and done, you have your body, breath and relationships. May you use the key and enhance these three with the sacred breath.
And now, I'd like to invite you to claim your free download of guided relaxation and join our community when you visit yogatogo.com yogatogo.com
From Heather Greaves - the Self Care Enthusiast and Body Therapies Yoga Training
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