Yoga is the new little black dress — everyone needs it in their fitness closet. If you've never set foot on a mat before, never fear. Practice these foundational moves at home before you try a class, and your transition will be more confident, and you'll get more from your class time if you aren't trying to figure out what this Warrior business is from scratch. Yoga is lifelong fitness, perfect for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.
- Begin with Child's Pose, a common warmup and resting pose. Sitting back into your heels with your arms extended allows you to concentrate on yoga's most important component: your breath. The key to yoga is timing your breath with movement, so when you start, take the time to inhale deeply through your nose and exhale fully from the base of your abdomen.
- As you progress through the 10 poses, remember your breathing. Each pose is held for 5 inhales and exhales.
- Tip: try to relax into the movements and holds. Tension in any part of your body will affect your ability to sink into the posture and find rest, even as you are working. Anything that feels painful or forced is too much: bend your knee more, use a block to raise up the floor, and don't be afraid to soften the move to suit your body's needs THAT DAY. Every day will be different. And that's what makes yoga so wonderful!
