Beginner’s Yoga Questions Answered
As a beginner yoga practitioner, you will quickly learn many different postures. Luckily, the basic postures are used most frequently throughout your yoga classes and practice and are also very easy to do. You will think of these questions and answers listed below. Remember that if you are having difficulty performing any yoga pose, that is OK. It takes some people many years to improve and to do all the poses. Some people may be excellent at performing a specific pose but have difficulty performing another. Every person is different. It is important not to get discouraged in your yoga practice but to continue trying to improve. Every person is at a different level, and there is no competition to see who can perform the best yoga poses. Yoga is a deeply personal practice, unique to each individual.
We are sharing some of your questions and their answers here with the intention that it will benefit other yogis & yoginis as well.
Q1. Why do I always feel better after yoga class? It’s different from gym class, where I feel exhausted sometimes.
A: It’s essential to understand that Yoga operates spiritually, distinct from the physical focus of gym activities. Whether it’s asana, pranayama, meditation, mudra, bandha, or shatkarma, Yoga is a practice that guides us towards a higher purpose, enhancing our energy levels rather than depleting them.
Q2. I am a beginner and don’t know how to breathe through the mouth or nose in Yoga.
A: Breathe through your nose as much as possible. We get filtered air through our noses. Breath is vital in Yoga, and mouth breathing is believed to change us fundamentally. It invites lots of physiological issues. So, if you don’t have any physical issues like a broken nose, etc., consciously breathing through your nose helps you on many levels.
Q3. I like it when you use Sanskrit in the class, but I need help remembering. Do I need to know Sanskrit to do Yoga?
A: Sanskrit is the language of Yoga; this is the language in which Yoga was developed many thousands of years ago. It is natural to be drawn to Sanskrit because it is the language of sound waves. Subconsciously, we get attracted to the subtle vibrations of the language. It is an added advantage to know Sanskrit because all the original literature is in Sanskrit, but yogis & yoginis don’t need to know Sanskrit.
Q4. I find watching my breath boring; can I play soft music?
A: If this question concerns watching breath during meditation practice, we would advise against music or any other disturbances. Music is not essential for any yoga practice other than Nad yoga/Yoga of sound. It is the mind that is finding it difficult to focus on breathing. If it wanders, gently bring it back to breathe. Notice where the resistance is coming from. Breath is a beautiful, powerful tool. If we understand this and begin from here, the breath is not dull.
Q5. You always say, “Work with the body & not against it,” but my question is, why should we not push ourselves in Asana practice? How will my body get a workout if I don’t push myself?
A: Our body indicates when to do strong asana practice & when to pull back. All we have to do is listen. We must bring awareness into the practice to listen to our bodies. After some time, listening to the body becomes a positive habit. When complete awareness is present in asana practice, there will be no injuries while doing asanas. If we bring it into our day-to-day lives, many physical difficulties caused by stress or habitual patterns can be corrected or avoided.
Read also: 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training.
Q6. I need help remembering any sequences we do here. But I love your suggestion about home practice. What can I do to remember?
A: The more you practice, the more you remember. Don’t worry about the sequence first; focus on what you enjoy the most. Start there, and you’ll find that you remember more and more as you go. I’ve also included some Asana sequences for home practice on this blog so you can always refer back to them.
Q7. I feel I can do more rounds of breathing practices. Why do you suggest building the practice slowly? I don’t feel any strain while doing it, and I can do more rounds.
A: Pranayama practices are profound, and their effects are subtle yet deep. Starting slowly allows you to observe the effects of the practices over a few days, which is a valuable learning experience. Remember, it’s not about the quantity of breath but the quality that truly matters. This understanding will enlighten your practice and keep you focused on the essence of pranayama.
Q8. How can I be compassionate all the time? Isn’t it normal to get angry?
A: Compassion towards ourselves and others can bring understanding & affection into relationships. Compassion towards other beings is beautiful; it gives such joy that no words can describe it. Again, it is an experience that is worth experiencing. Also, we are human beings, and anger is one of the emotional energies we sometimes have to deal with. Acknowledging this energy and finding the real reason behind anger can help us understand anger. Most of the time, it is the ego who is angry. But if we can direct this energy towards the greater good and channel that energy towards the positive, we can achieve many things with this forceful energy.
Q9. Yoga practices are designed to calm the mind, but don’t I need my mind to be alert? How will I function with a still mind?
A: A calm mind is not a passive mind. When unnecessary chatter slows down, the mind becomes more focused. This way, we can achieve more without stressing about unnecessary things. If you try meditating for at least 15 minutes daily, your mind will be much better. Please give it a go. Yoga is all about experience. Try it.
Loka samasta sukhino bhavantuÂ
Yoga will improve your health by not only offering physical activity but you will also becoming more mindful of your body and how it works. You will think more about what foods and drinks you put into your body. Many even say to yourself, “If I eat this food, will it make me perform better in yoga?” Yoga will give you more flexibility and stamina. Your body becomes more substantial and flexible as you loosen up in yoga poses. But don’t worry. You don’t have to start flexible. The good thing about Yoga is that everyone is at different levels in their yoga practice. You will be amazed at the flexibility and strength of some of your yoga partners. But do not be discouraged. It is not a competition, and you are at your level of Yoga. Eventually, with practice, you will become more robust and more flexible.
Beginner’s Yoga
Yoga is a versatile tool for athletes of all kinds. Athletes, like runners, often focus solely on their legs, neglecting other areas of their body. Yoga fills these fitness gaps, helping athletes of all disciplines enhance their overall fitness. Even football and basketball players can benefit. Have you heard about football players incorporating Yoga into their off-season training? They have, and they’ve experienced the transformative effects of Yoga. You, too, can harness the adaptability of Yoga to enhance your athletic performance.
In addition, getting started with Yoga will open your mind to a world you probably have not experienced before. I know you think I’m getting hippy on you, but that is not true. You will learn to manage your stress better. You will get less angry, less quickly. You will begin to think more about life and other things you have not considered. The practice of Yoga teaches you to be more mindful of your surroundings. You may find that you become more amicable. You may also find that you smile more, or those frown lines between your eyes are not as deep as they used to be.
May all beings be well, happy & free from suffering.
Namaste
AYM Yoga School
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