The practice of yoga has many benefits. It’s supposed to build stamina, improve flexibility and alleviate stress. Unfortunately, yoga poses can be difficult to master … especially when you’re just starting out. You may want to consider joining a yoga class to learn how to do the postures, or asanas, properly. Yoga classes range from all skill levels to all forms of yoga (yes there are many such as Hatha, Ashtanga, Bikram and Tantra).

Regardless of whether you practice the discipline alone or with others, these six tips you can follow will make your yoga experiences more pleasurable and beneficial. They are:

1. The best time to do yoga is in the AM before you have anything to eat. If you do eat, wait two hours to perform your moves as food in the digestive tract can make you feel tired and heavy.( Note - you can also do yoga well late in the evening, right before bed to soothe and relax you in time for sleep.)
2. Go to the restroom before you begin your postures (or class). A clean bowel and bladder will make the prana (breath) flow better.
3. Wear comfortable clothing that’s also loose. You have to be able to perform a wide range of motion in your gear. Shoes are optional in most cases.
4. Master the easy poses before you progress to the harder ones. Yoga should be a progressive practice so you can avoid injury and get the maximum benefit out of the process.
5. You should purchase a mat for sitting postures. A blanket or carpet is preferable for lying postures. Pillows, foam blocks and yoga belts are other accessories you may want to consider buying as well.
6. Stop in between postures if you feel tired or stressed. The practice should energize and enliven you, not tire you out and depress you.