Getting Started

Here are a few pointers for a most enjoyable yoga practice:

Wear comfortable loose or stretch clothing.

Feet should remain bare.

It’s generally recommended that you practice yoga on an empty stomach, but you can eat a piece of fruit or an energy bar an hour beforehand.

From restorative and relaxing styles to invigorating, athletic options, there’s a yoga technique that’s perfect for everybody. Here are three to begin exploring:

Iyengar

Focuses on holding poses and paying careful attention to your body’s alignment in each one.

Vinyasa

Many styles fall into this category, which means flowing with the breath. One of the more challenging, invigorating options is Power Yoga that is designed to create heat and energy flow.

Kundalini

By using chanting, breathing exercises and poses this practice is designed to awaken and draw energy up the spine through the chakras—energetic centers of the body.

a life in balance

change your perspective through yoga

By calming the mind and directing our energy inward, yoga lets us approach the world in a more mindful, balanced, and connected way. Whatever your age, schedule or fitness level, it’s easy to enjoy the many benefits of this ancient practice—especially because it can be performed almost anywhere.

Rejuvenate

These asanas, or postures, from the Hatha yoga tradition energize the body and lift the spirits.

• Downward Facing Dog (Adhow Mukha Svasana): From on your hands and knees, walk hands forward approximately 6-10 inches. Tuck toes underneath and press into your hands to lengthen legs and create an inverted V shape with your body. Heels will not touch the floor, but should be reaching toward it. Relax the head.
• Cobra (Bhujangasana): Lie on your stomach. Bend elbows and place the palms of your hands underneath shoulders, keeping elbows alongside the body. Legs should be hip-width apart. Engage the abdominal muscles, lifting the belly button gently toward the spine. Press into the tops of both feet and into your hands to lift your chest and head forward, curling your upper spine toward the ceiling. Activate triceps muscles to straighten out your arms. Do not press up higher if you feel any discomfort in your lower back.

Relax

These Hatha yoga poses relieve stress while promoting a sense of peace.

• Seated Forward Bend (Pascimottanasana): Sit on the floor with your legs together and extended in front of you, toes pointing up. Fold your entire torso forward, reaching toward feet. Relax the neck and let the head fall toward knees.
• Child’s Pose (Balasana): Sit on your heels or kneel.Your inner knees may be touching or you can spread them about 18 inches apart. Fold torso forward and rest forehead on the floor. Hands can be by your hips with backs resting on the floor, palms up.

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