For people who have never done yoga before, the first time watching a yoga instruction video may seem overwhelming. The instructor and possibly members of a class will twist their bodies with ease into the various postures or asanas, a Sanskrit word meaning seat. For the novice, this seems impossible.
The first thing to remember is that you are new to this form of exercise. Before you begin your exercise, watch the entire video to get an idea of what you will be learning. Depending on the type of yoga being taught, you will need to know what, if any, props are required for your practice. These can include straps, mats, pillows, chairs and lifts. Many times, you can find suitable replacements for these props around the house and will not need to purchase anything more.
Clear plenty of space for doing your exercise. Yoga is not a stand in place exercise routine; you will be lying down, bending over and sitting, so be sure to allow plenty of room in front of the television.
Pick a time of day to do your practice. Early morning works best for some, late evening for others. Yoga is not an exercise done quickly. Allow yourself at least a half hour, or better yet, a full hour for practice.
Realize you will not be able to do everything you see on the screen the first time you try; in fact it may take several months before you can begin to keep up with the instructor. Take each posture, or even parts of postures, individually. Go slow, and practice each posture. When you reach a point that you feel pain, stop. Pull back a bit. Yoga is not a 'no pain, no gain' exercise program.
Keep your VCR's remote control handy so you can pause or stop the video while you try the postures. Go slow at first, mimicking the instructor until you have a good understanding of how to properly do each asana.
Each posture or asana is designed to benefit specific parts of the body, yet each routine is designed to benefit the entire body. Don't let yourself just do the portions that only benefit one specific part. Work your way into doing the entire routine. Your body will love it, and you will love the way your body feels.
Many yoga videos also include breathing exercises and a guided meditation. To fully incorporate yoga into your daily routine, be sure to take advantage of what these extras can teach you.
As you practice, you will find that your body is becoming more limber and toned. The asanas that seemed so difficult last month are becoming easier to do. You will find that after a few weeks, you will no longer have to watch the screen as you practice. Your body and your mind will slip into the asanas without visual help from the tape.
You may reach a point where you feel you no longer need the video at all. It may be time to purchase a different level of practice or to do your yoga in solitude for a while. Many yoga practitioners continue to play the video, if only because the instructor, and therefore the class, helps to motivate them to continue to practice. Others continue using the video just so they don't feel alone while they do the exercises.
Yoga videos are a boon to those who want to study and learn yoga in the comfort of their own home. They allow a student to learn at their own pace, without the worry of looking awkward in front of others. Others have no time to get to the gym or there are no classes available in their community. Whatever the reasons for choosing a yoga video, learning the asanas and keeping up with the practice is a sure fire way to help keep the practitioner healthier and grounded.
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