Interested in starting a Hatha yoga practice? 10 tips to get started!

{"slug":"start-hatha-yoga-practice","recentPosts":[{"id":"cldebisqj8am10bk2riasiyyy","slug":"self-love-yoga-event","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Self Love Yoga & Meditation Event: Empower Yourself This Valentine’s Day","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Empower yourself this Valentine's Day with our Self Love Yoga & Meditation Event. Find inner peace and self-acceptance through yoga and meditation practices","readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2023-01-27T09:24:55.671424+00:00","coverUrl":"rvpz4az7wyk8pdo4fvyg.png","content":{"text":"Announcing our free Self Love Event February 13-14!\\n\n\\nEmbrace yourself and practice self love this Valentine’s Day and every day with the help of MyYogaTeacher’s expert yoga teachers.\\n\\nYoga has been a powerful tool for self-improvement and personal growth for centuries, and self-love yoga is no exception. Unfortunately, many of us struggle with self-doubt, self-criticism, and negative self-talk. Self-love yoga can help to change that by promoting self-acceptance and self-compassion.\\nThis special yoga and meditation event\\n focuses on building self-acceptance, self-worth, and self-compassion through a combination of physical postures, breathing techniques, and mindfulness practices.\\nSelf-love is the foundation of all healthy relationships, including the relationship with ourselves. Without self-love, we cannot truly love and accept others!\\n\n\\n\\nHow to join the Yoga for Self Love Event:\\n\n\\nMembers\\nJust click the links below to one or all of the classes you’d like to attend and register as you would any other group class! Simple as that.\\n\n\\nNon-Members\\n\\nClick this link to sign up for your free two week trial\\n to get access to this incredible event! No credit card required.\\n\n\\nAre you a nonmember who signed up for a trial in the past but it’s lapsed?\\nIf you’re not a member but signed up for a free-trial in the past, and it has expired, just reach out to \\ncare@myyogateacher.com\\n to let us know!  We'll reset your trial and give you full access to the event.\\n\n\\nMake this event the start of something wonderful for your mental, emotional, and physical health! So you, too, can be happier, more self-confident, and more productive!\\n\\n\\nNurturing Relationships Through Self Love \\n\\nMonday, February 13 at 5 pm PST/ 8 pm EST\\n\n\\nSelf love isn’t selfish! It’s critical to creating deeper, more meaningful relationships and becoming the best version of yourself you can be! Join us in this discussion based self love class with a guided meditation and walk away prioritizing your health and happiness!\\n\n\\n\\nEmbrace Yourself: Balancing the Heart Chakra\\n\\nTuesday, February 14 at 5 pm PST/ 8 pm EST\\n\\nReady to love yourself (and others) more and better? Need more compassion and kindness in your life? Join this yoga for self-love class designed to open your heart chakra and help you walk away feeling empowered to have more meaningful relationships and showing more love\n\\nThis special event will offer a unique opportunity to nurture yourself and discover the power of self-love.  Don't miss out on this transformative experience. Sign up today and awaken your inner strength and self-love.\\nAnd don’t forget to check out other yoga classes MyYogaTeacher offers as a part of your membership or free trial! Or reach out to the yoga instructors below offering 1-on-1 sessions to address specific issues!\n\n\\n\\nAnnelise Piers\\n\\n\\nShika Sood\\n\\n\\nSwati Dalvi\\n\\n\\nAbhishek Bodhi\\n\\n\\nPreeti Goswami\\n\\n\\nRohan Shroff\\n\n\\n\\nAnd remember: If you’re a nonmember who’s two-week free trial has ended, reach out to \\ncare@myyogateacher.com\\n to have your trial reset so you can easily sign up for these awesome classes!\\n\n\\nWelcome to MyYogaTeacher’s Self Love Event!\\nSee you soon!\\n"},"category":["myYogaTeacher"]},{"id":"clczdmysytyzn0ak616x0ikhn","slug":"yoga-for-fitness-event","author":null,"title":"Join the Yoga Movement: Free MyYogaTeacher Yoga for Fitness Event for Everyone!","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Join MyYogaTeacher's new free Yoga for Fitness Event starting soon and get fit faster with yoga!","readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":["Fitness","HathaYoga","Ashtanga","Yoga","Vinyasa","Hatha"],"createdAt":"2023-01-16T22:27:36.746406+00:00","coverUrl":"fegu2jin0qfhgaefpml6.png","content":{"text":"Are you ready to get fit, flexible, and unleash your inner radiance?! Don’t miss our 3-day FREE Yoga for Fitness Event January 29-31!\\nYoga is a great way to improve your flexibility, strength, and balance, as well as reducing stress and promoting relaxation. This event will feature a variety of yoga styles and levels to suit everyone from beginners to experienced yogis.\\nOur authentic, expert yoga instructors from India will guide you each day through sessions focused on improving your physical fitness and overall well-being. Plus, the even is completely free, so there’s no excuse not to come give it a try!\\nHow to join the Yoga for Fitness Event:\\nMembers\\nJust click the links below to one or all of the classes you’d like to attend and register as you would any other group class! Simple as that.\\nNon-Members\\n\\nClick this link to sign up for your free two week trial\\n to get access to this incredible event! No credit card required.\\nAre you a nonmember who signed up for a trial in the past but it’s lapsed?\\nIf you’re not a member but signed up for a free-trial in the past, and it has expired, just reach out to \\ncare@myyogateacher.com\\n to let us know!  We'll reset your trial and give you full access to the event.\\nDiscover all the best ways yoga can help you get fit fast. So you can live your life to the fullest and move with more ease.\\nWe've put together an entire schedule of yoga for fitness classes dedicated to helping you relax and sleep better.\\nCheck out the educational, inspiring, and exciting event classes and expert yoga instructors making this event happen!\\n(Click the class links to register for any or all of these amazing sessions!)\\n\\n Hatha Yoga for Physical Fitness with Ankit\\n\\nSunday, January 29 at 6:00 am PST/ 9:00 am EST\\n\\n\\nHatha yoga is focused on the physical practice of yoga and is perfect for helping you build strength, get fit, and improve flexibility. Bonus? You’ll feel more relaxed and rejuvenated after this hatha yoga class! Join us for asanas, Sun Salutations, and other strength building poses!\\n\\nFind Fitness in Flow: Vinyasa Yoga with Monica\\n\\nMonday,  January 30 at 5:00 pm PST/ 8:00 pm EST\\n\\n\\nReady to get fit while finding your flow? The fluid movement of this challenging vinyasa yoga class is perfect for building up a sweat, improving flexibility, and building strength, making it a perfect class for overall fitness! Join us!\\n\\nAshtanga Yoga for Increased Fitness with Sujit\\n\\nMonday, January 31 at 5:00 pm PST/ 8:00 pm EST\\n\\n\\nDo you like structure in your yoga class? Need a workout focused on building strength through muscle training? This is for you! Join the ashtanga yoga class designed to help you get fitter and stronger faster!\\nWhether you're looking to improve your physical fitness, reduce stress, or simply try something new, our free yoga for fitness event is the perfect opportunity. So come and join us, and discover the many benefits of yoga for yourself!\\nExperience getting fit in a way that works for you and \\nwith\\n you! We’re here to support you on your journey now \\nand\\n when the event is over!\\nSo join us for this free event! And don’t forget to check out other fitness related yoga classes MyYogaTeacher offers as a part of your membership or free trial! Or reach out to the yoga instructors below offering 1-on-1 sessions to address specific issues!\\n\\n\\n\\nShweta Jain\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nMonica Agarwal\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nArchana\\n \\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nAnd remember: If you’re a nonmember who’s two-week free trial has ended, reach out to \\ncare@myyogateacher.com\\n to have your trial reset so you can easily sign up for these awesome classes!\\nWelcome to MyYogaTeacher’s Yoga for Fitness Event!\\nSee you soon!\\n"},"category":[]},{"id":"clct2nkfx04xw0bk3fr4lrcjp","slug":"yoga-poses-for-osteoporosis","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"8 Yoga Poses for Osteoporosis: Maintaining Bone Health","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Yoga can prevent and in some cases reverse osteoporosis and osteopenia by stretching and strengthening muscle tissue to rebuild and maintain bone density.","readTime":null,"excerpt":"Learn how to prevent osteoporosis with a few simple yoga poses.","tags":[],"createdAt":"2023-01-12T12:33:31.959847+00:00","coverUrl":"pmkhkhuxo5s9dq2qkevm.jpg","content":{"text":"Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis with Yoga\\n\n\\nIf you suffer from the painful symptoms of osteoporosis, or if you are at risk of developing this limiting disease, there is help (and health) in starting your own regular yoga routine. In fact, doctors are now prescribing yoga as treatment and prevention for osteoporosis and osteopenia, making it an important part of maintaining physical health and wellness throughout your 50s and 60s — and beyond.\\n\\nOsteoporosis and osteopenia are conditions that commonly emerge throughout our later years, and if left untreated they can affect your mobility, bone density, and even your ability to remain self-sufficient. These conditions cause bones to be come weak and brittle, and over time more vulnerable to fractures and even breakage. \\n\\nBut a recent\\n \\n2016 study\\n discovered that yoga can be used in conjunction with other treatments to prevent the loss of bone density and in some cases reverse early onset of osteoporosis. Plus, as an added benefit, yoga is also a low-cost and low-risk treatment option, meaning there is little to lose by giving it a try.\\n\\nHow Yoga Can Treat Osteoporosis\\nThe process by which yoga treats and prevents osteoporosis is simple — through stretching and strengthening your muscle tissue you can build bone density and prevent fractures. Yoga postures exert subtle force upon your bones, prompting them to build up density and become stronger.\\n\\nYoga also improves your balance, which can help prevent falls — which may result in fractures or breakage. Along with building strength and flexibility, yoga also increases your mobility, endurance, and energy levels, helping you stay active no matter your age.\\n\\nIt should be noted that yoga may not cure osteoporosis on its own, and for some advanced cases it may not be effective in reversing this disease. Results vary on an individual basis, depending on your age, bone density, and other factors such as weight and co-existing conditions\\n\\nPracticing Yoga for Osteoporosis\\nIf you’re thinking of starting your own yoga regimen to prevent or reverse osteoporosis, there are a few things you should know. It’s important to first consult your doctor before practicing yoga for osteoporosis or osteopenia, to find out if there are any specific precautions you should be taking and whether or not it’s a safe activity for you. \n\\nPatients with advanced osteoporosis who have suffered fractures, breaks, or acute bone loss may need to avoid practicing yoga. If you’ve recently undergone surgery or if you’re still healing from an injury, you should wait until you’ve fully recovered before getting started.\n\\nMost importantly, you should take care to listen to your body when practicing yoga for osteoporosis. If a particular yoga pose causes pain or strain on your bones or joints, stop for a moment and take a break. Or, try using a modification like a bolster, block, or yoga blanket if applicable.\\n\\nIn their 2016 study, scientists found that the best results for using yoga as treatment for osteoporosis came from regular practice. Try performing yoga poses at least 3-4 times per week, or daily if you can. The more regularly you practice, the more bone density you’ll build, and the more strength and balance you’ll develop in your body.\\n\\n8 Yoga Poses for Osteoporosis:\\nIf you’ve been cleared by your doctor to practice yoga and you’re ready to get started, there are some simple yoga poses you can do at home to help prevent osteoporosis. You can also try taking a yoga class specifically designed for patients with osteoporosis. Here at\\n \\nMyYogaTeacher\\n, certified instructors can help you stay safe and injury free while giving you the independence to practice yoga in the comfort of your home.\\nReady to get started? \\nFollow the steps below to begin your own personal yoga journey.\\n\\n1. Mountain Pose (Tadasana)\\n\\nThe foundation of all balance poses, Mountain pose helps you find stability and improve your posture.\\nStart by standing at the front of your mat. Keep your feet hip distance apart, and you can rest your arms at your sides or bring your hands together in prayer formation. Inhale and feel your chest opening and your collar bones widening as you focus on balancing your weight proportionally on both of your feet. Gaze straight forward and maintain this pose for 1-2 minutes.\\n \\n2. Tree Pose (Vrksasana)\\n\\nFrom Mountain pose, you’ll begin to transition into Tree pose to further improve your balance and stability.\\nBring your awareness to your left foot and firmly ground it into the mat. Begin to shift your body weight to your left foot, while gently lifting your right foot. Depending on your ability to balance, you can place the sole of your right foot on your left calf or thigh. As you do this, be sure to keep your pelvis aligned, your spine straight, and your gaze focused forward. Give yourself a moment to steady yourself, and then, if you feel comfortable, press your hands together in prayer formation. Hold for 5-6 deep breaths and repeat on the other side, then return to Mountain pose.\\n \\n3. Warrior II Pose (Virabhadrasana 2)\\n\\nThis standing pose also improves your balance and builds strength in your legs and core. If you have trouble balancing and wish to modify this pose, try practicing it next to a wall or with a chair.\\nMove to the back portion of your mat and step your right foot forward. Your right toes should be pointed forward and your left (back) foot should be kept parallel with your mat. Bend your right knee at 90 degrees, taking care not to overextend. Your right knee should not move forward past your toes. With your hips evenly squared, stretch your arms out to both sides, so that your right arm extended out in front of you and your left arm behind you. Open your chest and focus on activating your legs so that you are grounded into your mat. Hold this pose for 5-6 breaths and repeat on the other side.\\n \\n4. Triangle Pose (Trikonasana)\\n\\nThis pose also requires strength and balance, and can be modified by performing it next to a wall. You can also place a block next to your front foot for easier hand positioning. \\nJust like with Warrior II, step your right foot forward for Triangle pose, keeping your left (back) foot parallel with your mat. Inhale and stretch out both your arms the same as in Warrior II, but keep your right leg straight with a slight, soft bend in your knee. As you exhale, hinge at your hip  and bend forward, placing your right fingertips on the floor, or you can place your hand on the block positioned next to your right foot. Turn your upper body and reach your left hand toward the ceiling, and either turn your head to gaze up at your hand, or keep your eyes focused straight ahead. Hold for 3-5 breaths and repeat on the other side.\\n \\n5. Cat-Cow Pose (Chakravakasana)\\n\\nThis pose is excellent for increasing mobility in your spine and hips.\\nMove to a tabletop position on your mat, with your hands and knees on the floor. Inhale and look up, lifting your chin and gently arching your back. Feel the stretch in your chest and abdomen. As you exhale, drop your chin and look down toward your naval as you curl your spine forward. Continue this movement 5-10 times.\\n \\n6. Locust Pose (Shalabhasana)\\n\\nLike Cat-Cow, Locust improves your spinal mobility with a soft backbend, but in this pose you will also be working your core muscles, glutes, and shoulders.\\nFrom Cat-Cow, lower yourself onto the mat so that you are lying face down on your stomach with your legs extended straight and your arms at your sides. On your inhale, strengthen your core and lift your head, legs and arms at the same time, balancing your body on your lower abdomen, pelvis and upper legs. Engage your glutes and press both of your legs together while holding them up. Hold this pose for 5-6 breaths, and then relax back onto your mat.\\n \\n7. Child’s Pose (Balasana)\\n\\nAfter the strengthening work of Locust pose, give your body a rest with Child’s pose\\nAfter Locust you’ve likely returned to lying face down on your mat. Press your palms and knees into the floor as if you were rising back into tabletop position, but this time bring your hips back so that your buttocks are resting on your heels, and your big toes are touching each other. Extend your arms forward so that your palms are resting on the mat in front of you, and bring your forehead to the mat. Breathe gently and allow your body to fully sink into this pose, supported by the floor. Hold for 5-6 minutes.\\n \\n8. Corpse Pose (Savasana)\\n\\nAfter practicing the above stretching and strengthening poses, it’s important to let your body fully digest the movement by resting in Corpse pose. \\nCome to a seated position on your mat. Slowly lower your body to the floor, so that you are lying flat on your back with your legs extended straight and your arms at your sides, palms facing up. Close your eyes and bring your focus inward. Bring your awareness to your body and check in with each and every body part, noticing if you feel any tension and allowing yourself to fully relax. Soften your face, neck, and shoulders, and let yourself melt into your mat while visualizing any tension leaving your body. Rest in this post for 5-7 minutes."},"category":["pain_management"]},{"id":"clct29qar2mln09k7b9xhmih5","slug":"8-yoga-poses-for-psoas-pain-relief","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"8 Yoga Poses for Psoas Pain Relief","subTitle":"Learn yoga poses that target your psoas muscle to relieve pain.","seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"By practicing a few specific yoga poses, you can directly stretch the psoas and surrounding areas, relieving tension, pain, and stiffness\n","readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2023-01-12T12:22:46.336259+00:00","coverUrl":"fitbgltpzxzyqblmzhjg.jpg","content":{"text":"Possibly the most integral muscle group in your entire body, the psoas governs the central functioning of your core. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to move properly, walk, stand, or do much of anything, because the muscles in this group also attach your legs to your spine.\\n\\nIssues with your psoas can be deeply painful, and it’s a difficult area to massage. The psoas major, psoas minor, and iliacus combined make up your iliopsoas, commonly referred as simply the psoas. And when the psoas is unhappy, it can cause symptoms with a range of severity, from slightly uncomfortable to totally debilitating, like difficulty walking or standing upright, lower back pain, and pelvic pain. \n\\nAthletic injuries, prolonged periods of sitting and surgery can affect the health of your psoas, and if you’re experiencing a tight and shortened psoas, it’s likely you’re also suffering from weakness and pain. You can relieve your symptoms and fully recover from psoas issues by stretching and strengthening this important muscle group with yoga. \n\\nHow to Relieve Psoas Pain\\n\\nPsoas pain can affect the entire structure of your body, causing adjoining muscles to become overworked and your posture to become off-kilter, leading to widespread chronic pain. Yoga can help correct issues with your psoas and get you back to feeling balanced again. By practicing a few specific yoga poses, you can directly stretch the psoas and surrounding areas, relieving tension, pain, and stiffness.\\n\\nIt’s important to also strengthen the psoas to enable your body to function properly. A weak psoas can put enormous strain on your surrounding muscles and joints, and a strong core is essential for your physical health. By lengthening and strengthening your psoas at the same time, you can correct issues and reduce pain.\n\\nIf you’re suffering from a tight or weak psoas, try practicing the yoga poses below on a regular basis to start the healing process.\n\\n8 Yoga Poses for Psoas Pain Relief\\n\n\\n1. Low Lunge Pose\\n\\nLow Lunge is an easy pose to start lengthening your psoas muscles, and you can adjust this position to stretch as deeply as you feel comfortable.\\nFrom a kneeling position, start by bringing your left foot forward and bending your left leg at the knee. Inhale while reaching your arms over your head, keeping them parallel with the sides of your head. Allow your chest to expand and lengthen your spine. Remember to keep your chin level and your gaze focused straight ahead. Repeat on the other side.\\n \\n2.  Tree Pose\\n\\nTree pose strengthens and stretches your psoas muscles by isolating the area building strength through balance.\\nStand in Mountain pose and place your feet hip distance apart, arms relaxed at your sides. Gently shift your body weight to your left foot and bending your right knee, lifting it upward. Place the sole of your right foot on the inside of your left thigh. Keep your spine and head straight, with your gaze facing forward. Give yourself a moment to steady your balance, bring your hands together in Namaste formation. Hold for 5-6 deep breaths.\\n \\n3. Boat Pose\\n\\nOne of the best asanas for your core, Boat pose strengthens your abdominal muscles for better balance and posture.\\nStart by sitting with your legs stretched out in front of you and your arms at your sides. Lean back slightly so that your weight is evenly balanced. Inhale, engage your core, and exhale as you lift both your legs to a 45 degree angle, and extend your arms straight out alongside your legs. If this pose feels too difficult, try bending your knees and bringing your hands behind your knees for support. Keep your spine long and your core engaged as you hold this pose for 30-45 seconds.\\n \\n4. Knee-To-Chest Pose\\n\\nWhen your psoas is in pain and walking or standing upright feels difficult, Knee-To-Chest pose offers a supine stretch that can relieve your symptoms.\\nLie down flat on your back with your arms at your sides. Inhale, and then as you exhale, bring your right knee to your chest. Thoughtfully extend and stretch your left leg until you feel the tension begin to release from your abs and inside your hip. As you hug your knee to your chest, remember to breathe and focus on allowing your core to fully relax. Hold for 30-60 seconds and repeat on the other side.\\n \\n5. Dancer’s Pose\\n\\nLike Tree pose, Dancer’s pose works to strengthen your psoas through balance, with a deep stretch that lengthens all of the muscles in the front side of your torso. \\nStand in the middle of your mat with your weight evenly balanced on both feet. Transfer your weight onto your left foot while bending your right knee and grabbing your right foot with your right hand. Lift your left arm up toward the ceiling. Bend at your waist and slowly lean forward, lifting your right leg and engaging your core. You can deepen the stretch by creating some resistance — simply push outward with your right foot while pulling in with your right hand. For better balance, focus your gaze on a fixed point in front of you. Hold for 3-5 breaths, then repeat on the other side.\\n \\n6. Supported Bridge Pose\\n\\nSupported Bridge pose uses a yoga block to both support your weight and lengthen the muscles in your core and inside your hips.\\nStart by lying on your back with your knees bent and a yoga block placed nearby. On your next exhale, tuck your chin and lift your hips, being careful not to allow your knees to splay outward.  Take your yoga block and place underneath your lower back, supporting your weight and providing a deep stretch to the frontside of your pelvis. Stay in the pose for 30-60 seconds.\\n \\n7. Reclining Hero’s Pose\\n\\nBy modifying Hero’s pose to a reclining position, you can gently lengthen your psoas and stretch your quad muscles.\\nKneel on your yoga mat and rest your buttocks on the backs of your heels. Sit with your spine straight and inhale, and as you exhale, begin to gently lower your torso to the floor. You can move slowly, lowering yourself onto your back one vertebrae at a time. Rest your hands on your chest or reach your arms above your head to increase the stretch. Once your are resting on your back, you can also bring your focus to your hips and allow them to rise slightly upward for a greater stretch in your psoas minor.\\n \\n8. Cobra Pose\\n\\nCobra pose lengthens your abdominal muscles and releases tension in your lower back.\\nLie on your stomach with your legs extended, arms folded under your head and your chin resting on your forearms. Place your hands at the level of your chest and press down with your hands. Slightly lift your head off the mat, keeping your head and back aligned, and press your thighs together. Now, steadily pull your elbows towards your ribs and align your hands and shoulders. On a deep inhale, press your hands into the mat, curl your shoulders backward, and lift your upper body off the mat. Make sure to gaze upward and press your hips into the mat to target your psoas. Hold this position for a few breaths and then rest."},"category":[]},{"id":"clckc2txxldwd0ajx6v2ewnfg","slug":"everyday-selfcare-event","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Announcing MyYogaTeacher’s Free Yoga for Everyday Self Care Event","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Daily self-care yoga event for relaxation and rejuvenation. All levels welcome. Come find your inner peace and leave feeling ready to tackle the day ahead","readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2023-01-06T09:47:25.040388+00:00","coverUrl":"sqksdkhom5g0uivl5z2l.png","content":{"text":"Ready to make time and take time for YOU in the New Year? This 2-day event on January 16-17 makes it easier than ever to start and keep a self care routine going.\\nAnd, of course, you’re invited!\\n\\nAlmost everyone is guilty of not putting themselves first most of the time. \\nBut did you know that research shows that self care reduces heart disease, stroke, and cancer? Not to mention that people who have a consistent \\nself care routine\\n are 67% more productive, 71% happier, and 64% more self-confident than those who don’t!  \\nThe impacts of a yoga for self care routine are nothing but positive. And there is nothing standing in your way of creating one with MyYogaTeacher’s free event. Imagine how much better you’ll feel and how much more productive you’d be if you just took some time for yourself everyday. Your routine doesn’t have to be time consuming. Even 30 minutes of yoga for self care may make all the difference in your life! \\nHere at MyYogaTeacher, we understand creating a self care routine may seem unobtainable at first. That’s why we created this event!\n\\nHow to join the Yoga for Everyday Self Care Event:\n\\nMembers\\nJust click the links below to one or all of the classes you’d like to attend and register as you would any other group class! Simple as that.\n\\nNon-Members\\n\\nClick this link to sign up for your free two week trial\\n to get access to this incredible event! No credit card required.\\n\n\\nAre you a nonmember who signed up for a trial in the past but it’s lapsed?\n⁠\\nIf you’re not a member but signed up for a free-trial in the past, and it has expired, just reach out to \\ncare@myyogateacher.com\\n to let us know!  We'll reset your trial and give you full access to the event.\\n\n\\nMake this event the start of something wonderful for your mental, emotional, and physical health! So you, too, can be happier, more self-confident, and more productive!\n\\nWe've put together a schedule of yoga sessions designed specifically to get you started on your self care journey.\\n\\nCheck out the educational, inspiring, and exciting event classes and expert yoga instructors making this event happen!\\n(Click the class links to register for any or all of these amazing sessions!)\n\\n\\nYoga Breathwork: Relaxation and Self Care with Archana\\n\\nTuesday, January 17 at 5:30 pm PST/ 8:30 pm EST\\n\n\\nDo you make time for selfcare? Meditation and yogic breathing are excellent forms of selfcare that you can do almost anywhere or any time! Join us for this relaxing class focused on breathing, meditation, and gentle stretching. Discover how easy it is to take time for you!\\n\n\\n\\nYoga for Self Care: An Everyday Practice with Archana\\n\\nMonday, January 16 at 5:30 pm PST/ 8:30 pm EST\\n\n\\nDo you struggle to make time for self-care? You’re not alone! This beautiful yoga session is designed to help you learn asanas and stretches that you can do every day specifically as a self-care practice. Join us for self-care through yoga!\\n\n⁠\\nWe offer these events so you have the tools and guidance to live in harmony with your inner self, outer self, and the world. So you can move in the world with peace and good health. And so you can be less stressed, more productive, and more \\npresent\\n.\\n\\nExperience the peace that comes from yoga and explore all the tools our expert yoga instructors offer to help you start and maintain a consistent self care routine. We’re here to support you on your journey now \\nand\\n when the event is over!\n\\nSo join us for this free event! And don’t forget to check other yoga classes MyYogaTeacher offers as a part of your membership or free trial! Many are perfect for continuing your self care routine long after this event is over. Or reach out to the yoga instructors below offering 1-on-1 sessions to address specific issues!\\n\\n- Ankit Bhatnagari\\n- Abhishek Bodhi\\n\\nAnd remember: If you’re a nonmember who’s two-week free trial has ended, reach out to \\ncare@myyogateacher.com\\n to have your trial reset so you can easily sign up for these awesome classes!\\n\\nWelcome to MyYogaTeacher’s Yoga for Everyday Self Care Event!\\nSee you soon!\\n"},"category":["yoga"]}],"randomPosts":[{"id":"clb6d7i3dguvb0bkghnequ3yl","slug":"yoga-for-women-with-pcos","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Yoga for PCOS: How a regular yoga practice can help you relieve PCOS","createdAt":"2022-12-02T10:30:33.809654+00:00","coverUrl":"ka5ed2fhlzx6v5coonue.jpg","content":{"text":"PCOS affects 12% of women during their childbearing years. This incurable syndrome can affect many aspects of a womens day to day life as well as their mental health. Yoga can help to take some of the pressure away mentally and physically. While there is no cure, the symptoms can be mangable with lifestyle changes such as effective diet and exercise routines. \\nWhat is PCOS?\\nPCOS is a hormonal disorder which causes the ovaries to be enlarged & small cyst to appear on the outer parts of the ovaries. This syndrome can cause issues with menstruation and fertility. \\n \\nWhat are the PCOS Symptoms?\\n According to John Hopkins University, the most common symptoms are: \\nMissed periods, irregular periods, or very light periods.\\nOvaries that are large or have many cysts.\\nExcess body hair, including the chest, stomach, and back (hirsutism)\\nWeight gain, especially around the belly (abdomen)\\nAcne or oily skin.\\nMale-pattern baldness or thinning hair.\\nInfertility symptoms\\nBenefits of Yoga for Women with PCOS\\nFor women who suffer from weight gain with PCOS, mind-body exercises can help burn calories & reduce stress. Exercise like pilates and yoga are a great choice for the following reasons! \\n1. Reduce Anxiety \\nMood swings, cravings and unbalanced emotions are very common with PCOS. Yoga can help to manage these symptoms by reducing stress and anxiety by reducing testosterone levels and balancing your blood sugar. \n⁠\\n2. Balance Hormones\\nYoga is known to balance your endocrine system which will help to regulate your hormones internally. A regular yoga practice can help improve your period cycle and symptoms as well as stimulate your metabolism. Have you ever tried a hormone balancing yoga class?\\n Try our class with Gomati for free with our two week trial!\\n\n⁠\\n3. Reduce Pain\\n \\nYoga is known to reduce chronic pain in those with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.When you’re experiencing pain from your symptoms, try these asanas to ease the pain.\\n \\nYoga Asanas to Perform for PCOS Relief\\nBridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)\\n - Bridge pose reduces stress and anxiety while also stretching the lower back. \n⁠\\n\\nReclined Butterfly Pose (Supta Baddha Konasan)\\n - Helps reduce cramping.\n⁠\\n\\nChild's Pose (Balasana)\\n - Child's pose will help to open the hips and bring the body back to a natural state. \n⁠\\n\\nBoat Pose (Naukasana)\\n - Boat pose reduces body fat and improves blood flow. \n⁠\\n\\nLotus Pose (Padmasana)\\n - Resets hormones and reduces period discomfort. \n⁠\\n\\n Other ways to improve PCOS symptoms\\nLifestyle and diet changes can help decrease symptoms and help you to maintain a more normal lifestyle. Try these tips to reduce your day to day symptoms. \\nEat whole foods! For women suffering with PCOS, the best diet is to eat foods in their most natural unprocessed form. When filling your plate, try to introduce lots of color into your meals. Stick to mostly plant based foods when possible but when eating meat, choose chicken or fish. Also make sure to regularly detox your body, Read the article to know more on How to \\nRejuvenate with a Body Detox at Home\\n\\nCreate a routine for balance. Our bodies are most at peace when they're on a schedule. Try to create a routine that works within your lifestyle and stick to it as often as possible. Try your best to keep your workouts and meals around the same time each day! If you need to be more flexible, you can choose time frames instead of an exact time. \\nHere’s an example schedule:\\n6:00 am morning workout.\\n9:00 am breakfast.\\n12:00 pm lunch. \\n3:00 pm  snack.\\n6:00 pm dinner\\n9:00 pm night time meditation before bed. \\nGo for a walk! This is something so simple that we sometimes take for granted. Going for a walk is great to get moving & help balance our hormone levels! It’s also a great way to reset during your lunch break or at the end of the day. \\nCreate a mindfulness routine to reduce stress. In a 2015 clinical study, 69% of women with PCOS found meditation helps with PCOS by reducing psychological stress and improving participants overall quality of life. Think about adding a meditation practice to the end of your day or journaling over coffee before work. \\nEven on day’s that feel tough with your symptoms, there are so many benefits to taking time to do yoga or meditate. You don’t have to let PCOS define you, you can be in control when your mind is clear and your body is grounded into its routine. Ready to build a regular yoga routine? Get started with us at\\n Try our hormone balancing yoga class to rev up your system or a gentle yoga class to wind down!\\n MyYogaTeacher!\\n"}},{"id":"ckox41n7s3yvm0c79ceyfyqk7","slug":"breathwork-and-yoga","author":{"name":"Bharath","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"Why Breath is an Important Part of Your Yoga Practice","createdAt":"2021-05-20T16:30:37.624653+00:00","coverUrl":"hjrzagexcb4hn9uy17cx.jpg","content":{"text":"I’m pretty certain you’ve heard a lot about doing breathwork, also known as breathing exercises, before, during, and after your yoga practice.\\n\\nBut is breathing through your asanas just something you’ve been doing because your teacher told you to? Is breathwork just that, breathing? What is breathing to you?\\n\\nFor me, breath is life. It’s magic. It’s my pathway to heaven while I’m still alive.\\n\\nAnd the breath is a tool to connect, calm, and control your mind. To bring awareness to your inner self.\\n\\nWhich is what yoga is all about.\\n\\nThis is why I wanted to teach a \\nBreath and Flow class with myYogaTeacher!\\n Because pranayama (breath) and meditation are really the best part of yoga.\\n[CTA-DEFAULT]\\nLet’s look at how breath works in yoga and why the breath is the most important part of your yoga practice.\\n\\nBreath and your yoga flow\\n\\nPhysiologically\\n\\nWhen you begin your yoga practice, you begin synchronizing your breath with your movements. Whether an instructor is guiding you through this process or you’ve become accustomed to doing it on your own, breathing becomes conscious, versus automated.\\n\\nYou become aware of how your breath moves with your body, particularly during more strenuous flows or asanas where controlling your breath becomes more difficult. \\n\\nThis is where the magic begins! \\n\\nThe mind gets quieter. The body feels calmer.\\n\\nMentally and emotionally\\n\\nBreath is what allows us to experience life! Literally.\\n\\nThe practice of yoga is designed to bring harmony to our inner and outer selves. So we can experience the very essence of life through all our senses.\\n\\nWithout breath, senses can not exist.\\n\\nOptimizing our breath with even inhales and exhales during our yoga practice also opens us up to our greatest potential. It releases tension, anxiety, and revitalizes our mind and spirit.\\n\\nPhysically\\n\\nThis brings us to how breathwork and meditation as a part of a comprehensive yoga practice affect our physical bodies.\\n\\nBreath awareness can eliminate tension in the muscles, joint compression, and help realign our posture. When we hold our breath, we prevent oxygen and nutrients from reaching our muscles and organs, causing contraction. Which then causes pain.\\n\\nYoga teaches us how to breathe properly and in a way that is much more beneficial than what we are accustomed to.\\n\\nBreath and your mind\\n\\nBeing active and moving your body definitely releases endorphins. You feel good, happier. But that is often short lived.\\n\\nWhen your breath changes, it’s telling you something about yourself, your mind. For example, you may not notice but when you’re stressed, tense, angry, you breathe heavier. Much more shallow breaths. When you’re sleeping, your breathing is generally much deeper and slower, just like when you’re relaxed.\\n\\nThe breath moves with the mind and vice versa!\\n\\nIt makes sense, then, that if we can control our breathing, we can control much of what’s going on in our mind.\\n\\nIf we can control our mind, we can move with more ease and positivity in our environment and world.\\n\\n4 Types of yoga breathing and their benefits\\n\\nUjjayi Pranayama (Victorious Breath or Ocean Breath)\\n\\nThis is the most common of yoga breathing techniques and is usually identified as sound like the wind in the trees or the rise and fall of the ocean waves against the sand.\\n\\nUjjayi Pranayama is soothing and calms the central nervous system even when done in conjunction with a faster paced vinyasa practice. The flow of the breath with the movements releases tension throughout the body.\\n\\nNadi Shodhana Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing)\\n\\nThis form of breath work is designed to purify and unblock your nadis, energy channels that flow through your body and connect to your chakras.\\n\\nStudies have shown that people who practice this form of breathing on a consistent basis have lower blood pressure and better mental focus. Alternate nostril breathing is often done at the end of a yoga practice.\\n\\nKumbhaka Pranayama (Breath Retention)\\n\\nKumbhaka Pranayama is probably known to you simply as deep breathing. Except in this practice, you actually hold your breath for a bit, breathe in a little bit more and hold it for as long as you can before releasing.\\n\\nThis can be difficult for people who are very anxious, so they may want to begin with holding their breath for much shorter periods of time. But ultimately, this type of breathing is meant to fully oxygenate the blood.\\n\\nKapalabhati Pranayama (Breath of Fire)\\n\\nFeeling groggy? Maybe you woke up in a fog or you’re just having a mentally exhausting day. The Breath of Fire breathing technique will bring a pep back into your step and improve decision making and mental focus.\\n\\nThis type of breathwork is not beneficial when you’re already under a lot of stress.\\n\\n\\nIf you’re unsure about how to perform any of these breathing techniques, you’d definitely love my \\nBreathe and Flow class!\\n It’s perfect for any level of yogi, and we focus on breathing, meditation, and foundational yoga poses in a full-body flow.\\n\\nAs I mentioned before, myYogaTeacher is full of almost any type of yoga class you could possibly want to attend! And they’re taught by instructors like me, from the birthplace of yoga, India. Whether you need a personalized 1:1 session or are game for a group session, we’re here to guide you on your health journey. We give you tips and tricks, corrections and goals.\\n\\n\\nGrab your 2-week free trial of myYogaTeacher here and jump into my class!\\n\\n\\nMy name’s Bharath. I’ll be your teacher. :-)\\n"}},{"id":"ckkss4i6g11qk0a81swms978n","slug":"clear-your-chakras","author":{"name":"Abhishek Sharma","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"The Importance of Clearing Your Chakras and Why We Chant","createdAt":"2021-02-05T21:07:01.067503+00:00","coverUrl":"clear-your-chakras_72106447.png","content":{"text":"Maybe you don’t expect to see a chakra clearing session mixed in with yoga classes. The western part of the world tends to be more focused on outward results, and you do yoga because that’s what you want. Results.\\n\\nStrength. Flexibility. Toning. Gentle exercise for an injured or unconditioned body.\\n\\nAnd you know nothing of chakras or chanting or all that other “woo woo” stuff.\\n\\nThe truth is, yoga, chakra clearing, and chanting work together to create harmony with your inner and outer world. They are all forms of meditation!\\n\\nIf you’re new to the woo, then this post will be helpful in understanding why I offer a \\nChakras and Sound Healing class \\nthrough myYogaTeacher.\\n\\n[CTA-DEFAULT]\\nWhat are chakras anyway?\\n\\nChakras are energy points in your body that correspond to organs, nerves, and areas of our body that affect our mental, physical, and emotional well-being. We are all made up of energy! Everything is made of energy.\\n\\nSo it is no surprise that energy flows through and around us.\\n\\nWhen your chakras or energy centers are off balance or blocked, you may experience negative emotional or physical symptoms related to a particular chakra.\\n\\nThe seven main chakras are:\\n\\n1. Root chakra (Muladhara): \\n Responsible for your sense of security, stability, and safety.\\n2. Sacral chakra (Svadhisthana):\\n Responsible for sexual and creative energy and linked to how you relate to and connect with others.\\n3. Solar plexus chakra (Manipura):\\n Corresponds to confidence, self-esteem, and helps you feel in control of your life.\\n4. Heart chakra (Anahata):\\n All about our ability to love and show compassion.\\n5. Throat chakra (Vishuddha):\\n Has to do with how we communicate verbally.\\n6. Third eye chakra (Ajna):\\n Linked to intuition and imagination.\\n7. Crown chakra (Sahasrara):\\n Represents your spiritual connection to self, others, and the Universe/God. Also linked to your life’s purpose.\\n\\nHow do you know if you have one or many – or any – blocked chakras? And what does clearing them even mean? Or do?\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nClear your chakras and improve your life.\\n\\nHaving balanced chakras (or imbalanced ones) impacts all areas of your life. Chakras are receptors and emitters. They receive and give back energy. You will receive the same frequency of energy back from the world that you emit.\\n\\nAn easily relatable example of this is when you constantly see the negative attributes in someone’s character. The more you talk, think, and explore those negative things, the more you will find. This also works in reverse. When we love someone, we choose to see all the good things in them, which leads us to find more good things. \\n\\nWhen you feel poor, you often act poor. So you receive more of the same. When you are unkind, you are often met with unkindness.\\n\\nThis is energy. Chakra energy.\\n\\nHere are some physical signs you can use to determine if you have blocked or imbalanced chakras:\\n\\n1. Root chakra:\\n Stress about money, digestive issues, arthritis, problems in the legs, feet, tailbone or rectum, prostate issues.\\n2. Sacral chakra:\\n Constant fear of betrayal, sexual or reproductive health issues, hip or lower back pain, urinary or kidney dysfunction.\\n3. Solar plexus chakra:\\n Fear of rejection, digestive issues, chronic fatigue, pancreas or gallbladder problems.\\n4. Heart chakra: \\nFear of being alone, asthma, arm and wrist pain, jealousy or bitterness, upper back or shoulder problems.\\n5. Throat chakra: \\nFear being out of control, thyroid issues, sore throats, ear infections, trouble expressing yourself, neck and shoulder pain.\\n6. Third eye chakra:\\n Moodiness or stubbornness, blurry vision or eye problems, sinus issues, headaches.\\n7. Crown chakra: \\nFear of alienation, rigid thoughts, analysis paralysis.\\n\\nRegularly clearing your chakras through a guided chakra clearing session or by visiting an energy healer will help alleviate many of these symptoms.\\n\\nAnd don’t rule it out as a part of your regular yoga routine!\\n\\n\\n\\nWhy we chant and other “weird” meditation practices\\n\\nYou may not feel comfortable chanting at the end of your yoga practice. Might want to check on your throat chakra about that (jk)!\\n\\nOr maybe it’s just unfamiliar to you. Why do we do it? What’s the point? \\n\\nSound healing is real. \\nThe practice of using vibrations in order to relax and heal the body has been scientifically proven to be effective.\\n\\nTraditionally, the chanting of “Om” (pronounced “AUM”) happens at the beginning and end of a yoga or meditation session. The letters AUM symbolize the divine energy of Shakti. Shakti is referred to as the “Great Divine Mother” in Hinduism. \\n\\nThe three main characteristics of Shakti are creation, preservation, and liberation.\\n\\nThe sound Om, when done correctly, vibrates at a frequency of 432 Hz, the same frequency as everything throughout nature. It’s a universal sound that helps us connect with ourselves and everything around us.\\n\\nChanting not only helps us open and close our practice, separating it from the rest of our day. It also helps slow down the nervous system and calm the mind.\\n\\nJust as chanting helps calm the mind and connect and ground us to the present, “Namaste” shows respect and reverence for the experience, the Universe, and the other people around you.\\n\\nIt may seem weird to you, but think of it as a handshake of gratitude to your body, your instructor, and the planet that supports you both.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nI encourage you to challenge yourself to a\\n Chakra and Sound Healing session\\n. Feel the difference in your heart, mind, and body afterwards. Pay attention to how it makes you feel. Do any parts of your body ache or hurt less? Is your mind more calm and focused? Do you feel more connected to yourself and nature?\\n\\nThese are some of the benefits you may experience!\\n\\nNot sure about it just yet? \\nmyYogaTeacher offers a 2-week free trial\\n where you have access to my class and many more! Group yoga, meditation, sound healing, and chakra clearing classes from the comfort of your own home. \\n\\nAll are welcome here!\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n"}}],"relatedPosts":[{"id":"clbuw5g08lm6z09kb5z7ov6xy","slug":"yoga-for-hypertension","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Yoga For Hypertension: 5 Yoga Asanas to Lower Your Blood Pressure","createdAt":"2022-12-19T14:27:18.678542+00:00","coverUrl":"nlkokdgzajyx8iqo77r6.jpg","content":{"text":"Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common condition that can affect your arteries. Nearly one in three people experience hypertension each year. Since yoga is great for calming the body, it’s great to help you regulate your blood pressure. A regular yoga practice is shown to lower blood pressure naturally over time. According to Yoga Journal, A recent study tested the use of yoga three times a week for people being treated for high blood pressure. The results showed those who practiced yoga experienced a significant reduction in their blood pressure compared to those who did not. Ready to add yoga into your routine to balance your health? \\nJoin us for a class on our online platform!\\n\\nWhy is Yoga Good for People with Hypertension?\\nBecause we practice deep breathing in yoga, and we give the body permission to “slow down”, our blood pressure will lower while we’re on our mat and long after. While yoga makes us more flexible in life and our body, the same goes for our arteries. Yoga will make our blood vessels more flexible which lowers your risk of hypertension as well as long term effects. If you’re looking to reduce meds and try something more natural, a regular yoga practice is shown to reduce blood pressure by about three to five points.\\n\n\\n5 Yoga Asanas to Lower Blood Pressure\\n1. Child's Pose (Balasana)\\n\\nThis relaxing asana provides a chance to slow down and breathe deeply while also releasing stress and tension from the hips and back. \\n\\n2. Bound angle (Baddha Konasana)\\n\\nThis hip opener helps with blood flow by increasing circulation.\\n\\n3. Seated forward fold (Paschimottanasana)\\n\\nThis pose promotes calmness as all forward bends because your spine controls your body’s nervous system. \\n\\n4. Bridge pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)\\n\\nThis powerhouse pose regulates blood pressure as well as opening the lungs and your heart chamber. \\n\\n5. Corpse Pose (Savasana)\\n\\nNever skip this resting pose. After a long day of our busy lives, savasana gives us the opportunity to slow down, breath deep and release all our tension and stress. \\n\\nOther Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure\\nAyurveda, an alternative medicine system that’s closely related to yoga suggest lifestyle changes to improve hypertension. Some of which include waking up with the sun, morning movement (like a walk or yoga), gargling warm water and sesame oil, and different combinations of herbs like thyme, ginger and garlic  you can add to your meals. \\nCut back on “bad habits”. Reduce your salt intake, limit your alcohol and quit smoking.\\nBe conscious of your rest time. Getting a good night’s sleep can help lower your blood pressure. Aim for a bedtime and try to keep your sleep on track\\nPractice breathwork (pranayama) to reduce stress.You cannot control the world around you, but you can always control your breathing. Adding breathwork practices into your day can help you lower your blood pressure and remain calm in stressful situations. \\nSukha Pranayama \\nis the breath practice most commonly used with patients with hypertension.  “To perform this pranayama, sit with the eyes closed and spine straight as in padmasana or sukhasana. After a few normal breaths, inhale slowly for six counts, hold for six counts, exhale slowly for six counts and hold the breath for six counts. This is one round. Complete six to nine rounds then relax for at least five minutes.”-Yogapedia \\n\n\\nWhat type of yoga should I take to balance my blood pressure?\\nWhen choosing a class to take, you want to pick the right class for your condition. These styles will help you slow down your breath and calm the body so you can reduce anxiety to lower your blood pressure naturally. Join us for class to relax and restore.\\n\\nGentle Yoga\\n. In this class you’ll move slowly through asanas taking time for meditation and breathwork. \\n\\nRestorative\\n. This class is great for anyone suffering from any chronic pain or illness. With the help of props, you will hold 4-6 poses throughout the practice which will reduce stress, pain and fatigue. \\n\\nTotal body Yin\\n. This slow meditative practice is a great way to reset and restore. Need an escape from the mundane? Try this class if you’re looking to take a journey on your mat. \n\\nStudies show just 10 minutes of deep breathing can reduce your blood pressure. So grab your mat and join us for a class! The benefits will be long lasting! Ready to get started? Grab your \\nfree two week trial now\\n & join us for hundreds of classes, 1-on-1 sessions events and mor\\n"}},{"id":"claqtt90v1oog0bimezcei2yq","slug":"yoga-with-your-partner","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Practicing Yoga with your Partner : 14 Yoga Poses Practice To Deepen Your Connection","createdAt":"2022-11-21T13:31:03.531635+00:00","coverUrl":"arv0lxzhmqel1ad4vmxv.jpg","content":{"text":"Are you looking to deepen your connection with your partner? Feeling detached? Yoga is a great way to reconnect with yourself and your relationship. If you’ve never practiced yoga with your partner, there's no time like now to get started! And Myyogateacher is the perfect place! You can practice with your partner at home, in your safe and secure place. \\nBegin your journey with us today! \\n\\n\n\\nWhy Should Couples Practice Yoga Together?\\nAccording to a \\n2016 study\\n, a mindfulness practice with your partner can result in a higher quality relationship. Being present in the experience with your partner is key. Yoga can be your form of “couples therapy” and here's why! \\n1. Promotes Happiness\\nWe know your partner already gives you butterflies but on days you're feeling down, connecting together with your movement and breath can boost endorphins. \\n2. Improves your Communication\\nWhen you start to practice yoga together, you and your partner learn to take non-verbal cues as you move. This practice off the mat, will improve communication by learning to read each other's body language and facial expressions. \\n3. Improved Sex\\nYoga teaches us how to move with our partner's body and breath. This will enhance your sex life because our bodies will better understand how to respond to one another physically. \\n4. Reduces Stress, Anxiety and Anger\\nPracticing yoga or physical activities together can help us understand what upsets our partner which will make us more understanding of their triggers and emotional responses. It can also help us learn how to help our partner cope with stress through breathwork. \n⁠\\n\\nWhat are the Benefits of Couples Yoga?\\nWhen you start to practice yoga together with your partner, the effects are long lasting. Here are some of the benefits of joining bodies on the mat. \\nInitiates physical and emotional support. Yoga forces you and your partner to physically lean on one another for support. Like the grown up version of a “trust fall”. \\nCreates shared memories & experiences! There’s nothing more memorable than learning a new skill or trying something scary with the one you love. \\nStrength and stability. If you’re ready to take the plunge into building a practice together, you will emotionally grow together in stability and strength while also using your physical strength to hold each other up. How cosmic and beautiful!\\nAnd of course, MORE LOVE! What could be better than building a deeper connection with your partner? \n⁠\n\\nWhat is Tantric Yoga?\\nTantric yoga is designed to help you build and strengthen your relationship with your partner through connected bodies and energies. When most people hear “tantric” they assume it’s always about sex but the practice is about fostering the relationship between two partners. If you’d like to build a tantric practice into your partner yoga experience, you can end your session with a “Tantric yoga meditation.”\\nWant to give it a try? Here’s a set of beginner steps to start your tantric connection. \\nFocus on your breathing.\\nSlow down. Start to deepen your inhales and exhales together. \\nMake eye contact. Look into your partner's eyes and focus. \\nStart engaging your senses. (hear, feel, taste, smell, see) \\nSee where you end up! \n⁠\\n\\nHow does Yoga Together Promote Intimacy?\\nHave you ever told your partner you’re “not on the same page” as them? When you start doing yoga together, you’ll never say that again. When we practice yoga, we become present in our bodies. We connect our movement to our breath and no matter what’s going on around us, we can breathe and stay focused. When we do yoga with a partner, we fall into sync together. We become one. Your breath, movement and bodies will start to naturally fall into the same rhythm together. This rhythm will create a closeness that will promote more intimacy in everything you do with your partner. The “yoga” you do together off the mat will be more rewarding and fulfilling because you choose to connect with your practice. \n⁠\\n\\nReady to deepen your connection with Yoga? \\nYou can practice with us at \\nmyyogateacher\\n from the comfort of your own home. Try a two week free trial on us! Our classes are live with authentic, expert Indian yoga instructors to guide you through your practice. Looking for a more private experience? Try our 1-on-1 classes where the practice is built just for you and your partner! To start, build your practice at home with your partner using these beginner poses. \n⁠\\n\n\\n14 Yoga Poses to Try With Your Partner\\nThese yoga poses for 2 will help you move together while building intimacy, trust and security:\\n\\n1. Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose)\\nDo this pose facing each other. Put your hands on your partner’s knees.\\n\\n2. Chair Pose (Utkatasana)\\nDo this pose back to back. Hold each other up as gravity pulls you down. \\n\\n3. Seated Forward Bend Pose (Paschimottanasana)\\nBring your feet to your partner’s and reach forward to join hands. Pull each other into the stretch. \\n\\n4. Revolved Chair Pose (Parivrtta Utkatasana)\\nHold opposite hands and twist the outside arm open. Switch sides. \\n\\n5. Down Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana) \\nEasy: Come to child's pose and have your partner put their hands on your lower back in downdog. \\nHarder: Bring your feet to your partner’s lower back and come up into an L shape. \\n\\n6. Child's Pose (Bālāsana)\\nStack your child’s pose over your partner’s. \\n\\n7. Tree Pose ( Vrikshasana)\\nStand side by side and join hands. Use your strength to hold each other up.\\n\\n8. Standing Forward Fold Pose ( Uttanasana)\\nHinge at the hips and reach for your partner's arms around both your legs or hold hands in your bend. \\n\\n9. Camel Pose (Ustrasana) \\nInstead of reaching back, let your heart open but hold your partner's outer arms. Let your hearts face each other. \\n\\n10. Boat Pose (Navasana)\\nFace one another and connect your feet with your knees bent. Lift your legs straight if you can. When you’re ready to balance, hold hands. \\n\\n11. Side Angle Bend Pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana) \\nStand in warrior two opposite your partner. With the arm that's down, grab hands. \\n\\n12. Warrior 3 Pose (Virabhadrasana)\\nWhen hinging at the hips, bring your hands to your partner’s shoulders and lift your back (opposite) leg. \\n\\n13. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)\\nHave one partner stack their feet on the other’s thighs then lift up. You can keep your hands on the ground or hold hands together. \\n\\n14. Savasana Pose\\nCome together to finish your practice!\\nBring one hand to your heart, and one to join your partners. Breathe deeply together and relax.\\n\n\\nIf you’re feeling the love, keep the connection going by making your practice more consistent.  Now you have all the tools you need to build a stronger connection with your partner! Join us online and start your at home practice today! \\n"}},{"id":"clabcglv4n3fc0ais6yxjyhtq","slug":"yoga-before-and-after-workout","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Yoga Before and After Workout: When is yoga best for you and your body?","createdAt":"2022-11-10T17:28:47.493944+00:00","coverUrl":"dirnebto7s5zxueovsfw.jpg","content":{"text":"Yoga has so many benefits for the body on its own. But if you’re trying to kick your routine into high gear, consider adding yoga onto your other workouts for an extra bang for your buck. If you’re new to yoga and wondering how adding it into your workout routine can benefit you, no worries! We’re here to help! We'll help you figure out where to schedule yoga into your routine.\\n\\nBenefits of Adding Yoga to your Workout:\\n\\n1. Flexibility\\nIf flexibility is one of your fitness goals, yoga is a great way to achieve more physical flexibility. It’s also great to take the place of your stretching routine pre or post workout. Yoga can increase range of motion and help in muscle recovery. \\n\\n2. Conditioning\\nLove HIIT? Yoga is a great way to step up your fitness intensity by helping you condition your body with more stamina and longer breathing patterns for increased cardio abilities. It’s also proven to increase coordination. \n\\n3. Strength\\nLove to go to the gym for cardio but hate to hit the weight rack? No worries, yoga can take the place of strength training by just using your body weight. Through repetition yoga builds muscle and endurance for strength. No weights required!\\n\\n4. Mental Clarity\\nFor most people, working out is a great way to increase endorphins and reduce stress. However, if your workout leaves you too tightly wound or doesn’t do the job of lifting your mental load, a slow flow can help bring you down and help you rebalance. \n⁠\n\\nWhy You Should do Yoga Before Workout? (Pre Workout) \\nIf you’re strength training, or going for an easy walk on your rest day, yoga is great for before your workout. Do you like to get up with the sun and start your day with a workout? Well, starting your day with yoga will bring you clarity and get your body ready to move. \\nMyYogaTeacher\\n is a great place to start your practice and your day. Even if it's gross outside you can still get your practice in. You can pull up our app on your phone or our website right on your computer for 24/7 access to live classes with expert Indian instructors.\\n\\nYou can also use yoga as your warm up! If you’re just waking up or it’s a cold weather season, yoga will help you keep your muscles strong and flexible. If you’re going to the gym for targeted strength training, it can help you focus on balance and alignment to keep your body in check through your workout. Yoga will help you stay balanced and avoid injury by increasing mobility in the body. And finally, Yoga puts your mental health in check. Adding in a moving meditation or some breath work before your workout will keep your body calm, help you align with your goals and avoid the flight or fight symptoms that can come on during an intense or tough workout. \n⁠\\n\\n5 Yoga Poses to Practice Before Your Workout:\n⁠\\n1. Child's Pose\\nThis pose will help you open your hips and reduce injury on core or leg days.\\n\\n\\n2. Cat Cow Pose\\nMoving through your spine slowly with these stretches will help increase mobility in the back. \\n\\n\\n3. Downward Dog Pose\\nPushing up into a downdog to start your day will stretch your entire lower body from your toes to your hips.\\n\\n\\n4. Forward Fold Pose\\nFolding forward increases the blood flow in the body and helps us maintain spine and core stability. \\n\\n\\n5. Mountain Pose\\nThis pose helps us to establish alignment and increase body awareness before a workout! \\n\\n\\n\\nYoga Classes to Try Before your Workout \\n\\nRise and shine 30 min flow\\n : Start your day with this quick flow. This class is meant to increase your physical fitness and help build your stamina so you can workout longer!\\n\\nHatha Vinyasa\\n : Gain mental clarity at the beginning of your workout with this traditional hatha flow. \\n\\nSlow Flow Vinyasa\\n : Start your day slow and steady for your mind and body. The slow pace of this class allows us to connect with our bodies and minds as we focus on our breath and alignment. This class helps to build strength, improve flexibility and stability. \n\\nWhy you should do yoga post workout ?\\nIf your workout is more high energy like kickboxing, zumba, cycling etc, yoga after may be best for bringing your body back to homeostasis. Yoga naturally brings down heart rate and reduces stress on the body and mind . You can use Yoga as a cool down or stretching portion of your workout to bring muscles into recovery while extending your burn a little longer. Are you a nighttime warrior? If you tend to work out at night, ending your routine with yoga will help you get a better night’s sleep. \\n\\n5 Yoga Poses to Practice After your Workout:\\n\\n1. Wide Leg Forward Fold Pose\\nWide leg forward fold releases our lower back. Reaching down towards the floor will give our calves a much needed stretch post workout!\\n\\n\\n2. Pigeon Pose\\nThis pose will help to open tight and tired hips and hamstrings. \\n\\n\\n3. Bound Angle Pose\\nThis hip opener stretches your adductors and quadriceps. Try this pose after a run or cardio workout. \\n\\n\\n4. Seated Forward Fold Pose\\nThis pose provides a full body stretch from your head to your heels! \\n\\n\\n5. Happy Baby Pose\\nThis pose helps to alleviate or avoid lower back pain post workout. It can also reduce any stress or anxiety caused by your workout. \\n\\n\\nYoga Classes to Try After your Workout\\n\\nBreath and Flow\\n : This full body flow will help stretch and rejuvenate your muscles as well as relax your mind with meditation and pranayama techniques. \\n\\nYoga Fusion for Joints\\n : This conditioning class combines light weights and foam roller stretches for an active recovery post workout. \\n\\nBreath and Meditation\\n : Join this class to slow down the body and refocus your breathing. Ideal for end of the day or transitions. \\n\\nNo matter what time of day you choose to workout, adding yoga 2 to 3 times a week will extend the life of your routine and help you maintain a positive outlook on your fitness goals. You can add yoga to your workout anytime with us here at \\nMyYogaTeacher\\n by creating an account, logging in and joining us for class! "}}],"blogContent":{"id":"cl7zwz24chnlt0biyk8wtb0cj","slug":"start-hatha-yoga-practice","author":{"name":"Namrata Khandelwal","teacherMytSlug":"namrata-2","pictureUrl":"namrata-k-pro.jpg"},"title":"Interested in starting a Hatha yoga practice? 10 tips to get started!","createdAt":"2022-09-13T08:10:21.940734+00:00","updatedAt":"2022-09-13T08:10:21.940734+00:00","coverUrl":"kwfhavtczeih1sjadbhk.jpg","seoDescription":" Looking to develop a Hatha Yoga practice but don’t know what style or where to begin? Read the article and get started!","content":{"text":"Are you new to yoga? Looking to develop a practice but don’t know what style or where to begin? Hatha yoga is a great choice for beginners looking to build a routine or veterans looking to deepen their practice of breathing and flexibility.\\nFirst things first, What is Hatha Yoga?\\nHatha yoga is a form of gentle yoga made up of poses and breath work and often starts or ends with a meditation. This type of practice can be challenging because in most traditional Hatha classes, poses are held for 30 seconds to a minute. \\nStyles of Hatha Yoga that we offer at \\nMyYogaTeacher\\n:\\nHatha Yoga - This practice focuses separately on each asana. Focusing on connecting each asana with the breath and deepening each pose. This practice allows for breaks between poses and is more gentle and slow paced. \\nHatha Vinyasa - Known as a flow class, adding in the vinyasa makes the practice a little more fast paced. The poses are more linked together and the movement is connected to your breath work. \\nWhat are the benefits of a Hatha Yoga Practice?\\nThere are many benefits to building a hatha yoga practice. On the surface, for your physical health, hatha can increase flexibility, strength and balance!  Hatha is proven to fight signs of aging and  help with joint or muscle pain and improve blood flow!\\nWhen you turn your practice inward, it can also deepen your sleep and with the addition of the breathwork, your practice can also help you cope with anxiety or depression symptoms. \\nHatha is a great place to start your yoga journey because you can take your time to get familiar with the poses and learn to connect them to your breath.  It’s good for the body and the mind!\\nHere are 10 tips to get you started with a Hatha Yoga Practice:\\nKnow your why - Before you start to build your practice, it’s important to establish why you’re coming to your mat. Is your reason for physical health, mental health or maybe just to press pause on your day and breathe? Each flow can be personalized for whatever brings you to your mat each day.\\nBe a student! - Take a class with us so you can learn how to flow on your own. Sometimes before you fly solo, you need a co-captain. And if you never decide to fly on your own, we're happy to have you here with us! Our teachers are the best and we think you'll love their classes!\n⁠\n⁠Check out these three Hatha classes we love!\n⁠\\nHatha for Beginners\\n\n⁠\\nHatha Yoga Intermediate\\n\n⁠\\nHatha Vinyasa\\n\\nLearn to breath - In this practice, you'll be holding in poses and breathing into the space you create. The traditional breath practice for a hatha yoga class is\\n Ujjayi breathing\\n otherwise known as victorious breath. This breathing practice is often used in yoga because it forces you to slow down and focus on your breathing and its connection to your movement. \\nChoose your asasas - While Hatha is usually a gentle practice, there is no right or wrong way to build your Hatha flow. The goal is just to focus and move your body! All you need is a minimum of three to five poses to get started! Start by reviewing the poses you know and then when you’re ready, add more as you grow.\\nPractice your pause - once you know what asanas you’d like to practice, grab a stopwatch! Work on holding each pose for 30 seconds, then 45 seconds, then a minute. Don’t forget to breathe into it. And if you can, try to find space and deepen into each pose as you practice more. \\nFind a way to beat the mental fatigue - Don’t give in to the voice in your head that says you can’t do this.  Holding the poses can be difficult at first. Have a little grace and try your best not to give up. Practice your mantras to keep you going. Our favorite? Your stronger than you think!\\nBuild a meditation practice - When building a meditation practice, it’s important to figure out what you need from it. Do you need mantras to help you keep going? Do you need to visual what's coming? Or do you need to focus inward on your breath and the current moment. Remember, there’s no wrong answer. Play with this practice. Add it to the beginning, then the end and see where it serves you. Can’t settle in for quiet reflection? Try journaling instead. \\nBe benevolent to yourself - In Hatha yoga, one of the most important practices is the principle of non-violence (ahimsa) this means do no harm to yourself or to others Try to go through your life being kind to yourself on and off your mat. For more on this practice, check out \\nthis article\\n by Yogauonline\\nRead the text- Like a lot of Yoga, hatha isn’t just based on a movement practice. In fact, there are two connected texts to teach you the foundations of this practice. \\nHatha Yoga Pradipika \\n- a 15th century Sanskrit manual on the practice and style. \\nSiva Samhita\\n - from the hindu perspective breaking “yoga” the practice, down into five parts.\\nTrack the progress of your practice - Once you’ve developed your practice, there is no ‘ end' in yoga, we can only keep coming back to deepen or extend our practice. That’s why it’s a “practice” because there is no perfect. You can always adjust. Some days you’ll need more, some days less. But all the days…you'll need yoga. \\nFive poses to get started with Hatha Yoga:\\n1. Childs Pose\\nFocus on your third eye here. Move your head from right to left to massage your forehead.\\n\\n\n2. Cat Pose\\nBreath into your spine as you arch your back away from the floor. Relax your neck.\\n\\n\\n3. Down Dog\\nFocus on lengthening your heels into the floor and pushing your hips towards the back of the room. \\n\\n\\n4. Forward Fold\\nSurrender into this pose. Reach your palms towards the floor and deepen your stretch with every exhale.\\n\\n\\n5. Savasana\\nRelax your entire body into the ground. Release all the tension and slow your breath. \\n\\n\nNow that you have the tools you need, you’re ready to go! Find where your practice fits best and get ready to feel relaxed and enlightened! If you’re doing hatha for physical health, try adding the practice in after another workout or at the end of your day. \\nLooking  to build a practice for relaxation or to wind down from your anxiety? Try starting your day with practice and a cup of green tea! \\nMyYogaTeacher\\n has tons of options available to you! See you on your mat! ","html":"<p>Are you new to yoga? Looking to develop a practice but don’t know what style or where to begin? Hatha yoga is a great choice for beginners looking to build a routine or veterans looking to deepen their practice of breathing and flexibility.</p><h2>First things first, What is Hatha Yoga?</h2><p>Hatha yoga is a form of gentle yoga made up of poses and breath work and often starts or ends with a meditation. This type of practice can be challenging because in most traditional Hatha classes, poses are held for 30 seconds to a minute. </p><p>Styles of Hatha Yoga that we offer at <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\">MyYogaTeacher</a>:</p><ul><li><div>Hatha Yoga - This practice focuses separately on each asana. Focusing on connecting each asana with the breath and deepening each pose. This practice allows for breaks between poses and is more gentle and slow paced. </div></li></ul><ul><li><div>Hatha Vinyasa - Known as a flow class, adding in the vinyasa makes the practice a little more fast paced. The poses are more linked together and the movement is connected to your breath work. </div></li></ul><h2>What are the benefits of a Hatha Yoga Practice?</h2><p>There are many benefits to building a hatha yoga practice. On the surface, for your physical health, hatha can increase flexibility, strength and balance!  Hatha is proven to fight signs of aging and  help with joint or muscle pain and improve blood flow!</p><p>When you turn your practice inward, it can also deepen your sleep and with the addition of the breathwork, your practice can also help you cope with anxiety or depression symptoms. </p><p>Hatha is a great place to start your yoga journey because you can take your time to get familiar with the poses and learn to connect them to your breath.  It’s good for the body and the mind!</p><h3>Here are 10 tips to get you started with a Hatha Yoga Practice:</h3><ol><li><div><p>Know your why - Before you start to build your practice, it’s important to establish why you’re coming to your mat. Is your reason for physical health, mental health or maybe just to press pause on your day and breathe? Each flow can be personalized for whatever brings you to your mat each day.</p></div></li><li><div><p>Be a student! - Take a class with us so you can learn how to flow on your own. Sometimes before you fly solo, you need a co-captain. And if you never decide to fly on your own, we&#39;re happy to have you here with us! Our teachers are the best and we think you&#39;ll love their classes!<br><br>Check out these three Hatha classes we love!<br><a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-yoga-for-beginner-level-by-abhishek\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-yoga-for-beginner-level-by-abhishek\"><u>Hatha for Beginners</u></a><br><a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-yoga-intermediate-level-by-shikha\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-yoga-intermediate-level-by-shikha\"><u>Hatha Yoga Intermediate</u></a><br><a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-vinyasa-intermediate-level-by-bharath\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-vinyasa-intermediate-level-by-bharath\"><u>Hatha Vinyasa</u></a></p></div></li><li><div><p>Learn to breath - In this practice, you&#39;ll be holding in poses and breathing into the space you create. The traditional breath practice for a hatha yoga class is<a title=\"https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/ujjayi-breathing#how-to-do-it\" href=\"https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/ujjayi-breathing#how-to-do-it\"><u> Ujjayi breathing</u></a> otherwise known as victorious breath. This breathing practice is often used in yoga because it forces you to slow down and focus on your breathing and its connection to your movement. </p></div></li><li><div><p>Choose your asasas - While Hatha is usually a gentle practice, there is no right or wrong way to build your Hatha flow. The goal is just to focus and move your body! All you need is a minimum of three to five poses to get started! Start by reviewing the poses you know and then when you’re ready, add more as you grow.</p></div></li><li><div><p>Practice your pause - once you know what asanas you’d like to practice, grab a stopwatch! Work on holding each pose for 30 seconds, then 45 seconds, then a minute. Don’t forget to breathe into it. And if you can, try to find space and deepen into each pose as you practice more. </p></div></li><li><div><p>Find a way to beat the mental fatigue - Don’t give in to the voice in your head that says you can’t do this.  Holding the poses can be difficult at first. Have a little grace and try your best not to give up. Practice your mantras to keep you going. Our favorite? Your stronger than you think!</p></div></li><li><div><p>Build a meditation practice - When building a meditation practice, it’s important to figure out what you need from it. Do you need mantras to help you keep going? Do you need to visual what&#39;s coming? Or do you need to focus inward on your breath and the current moment. Remember, there’s no wrong answer. Play with this practice. Add it to the beginning, then the end and see where it serves you. Can’t settle in for quiet reflection? Try journaling instead. </p></div></li><li><div><p>Be benevolent to yourself - In Hatha yoga, one of the most important practices is the principle of non-violence (ahimsa) this means do no harm to yourself or to others Try to go through your life being kind to yourself on and off your mat. For more on this practice, check out <a title=\"https://yogauonline.com/yoga-practice-tips-and-inspiration/ahimsa-use-yogic-principles-practice-nonviolence\" href=\"https://yogauonline.com/yoga-practice-tips-and-inspiration/ahimsa-use-yogic-principles-practice-nonviolence\"><u>this article</u></a> by Yogauonline</p></div></li><li><div><p>Read the text- Like a lot of Yoga, hatha isn’t just based on a movement practice. In fact, there are two connected texts to teach you the foundations of this practice. <a title=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatha_Yoga_Pradipika\" href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatha_Yoga_Pradipika\"><u>Hatha Yoga Pradipika </u></a>- a 15th century Sanskrit manual on the practice and style. <a title=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva_Samhita\" href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva_Samhita\"><u>Siva Samhita</u></a> - from the hindu perspective breaking “yoga” the practice, down into five parts.</p></div></li><li><div><p>Track the progress of your practice - Once you’ve developed your practice, there is no ‘ end&#39; in yoga, we can only keep coming back to deepen or extend our practice. That’s why it’s a “practice” because there is no perfect. You can always adjust. Some days you’ll need more, some days less. But all the days…you&#39;ll need yoga. </p></div></li></ol><h3>Five poses to get started with Hatha Yoga:</h3><h4>1. Childs Pose</h4><p>Focus on your third eye here. Move your head from right to left to massage your forehead.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=width:600,height:400/tfiXCn1ERgygRE3kPO4U\" alt=\"Childs Pose\" title=\"Childspose.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><h4><br>2. Cat Pose</h4><p>Breath into your spine as you arch your back away from the floor. Relax your neck.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=width:600,height:400/OIrqGC3OQN2sef4eMZeO\" alt=\"Cat Pose\" title=\"Cat.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><p></p><h4>3. Down Dog</h4><p>Focus on lengthening your heels into the floor and pushing your hips towards the back of the room. </p><img src=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=width:600,height:400/Ikk08ztXTba3H0JA5CIT\" alt=\"Down Dog Pose\" title=\"downdog.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><p></p><h4>4. Forward Fold</h4><p>Surrender into this pose. Reach your palms towards the floor and deepen your stretch with every exhale.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=width:600,height:400/94M7yUBXSk2qtA6rfiHI\" alt=\"Forward Fold\" title=\"Forwardfold.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><p></p><h4>5. Savasana</h4><p>Relax your entire body into the ground. Release all the tension and slow your breath. </p><img src=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=width:600,height:400/qn2RUYaSQw6h5JwmSeyo\" alt=\"Savasana\" title=\"savasana.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><p><br>Now that you have the tools you need, you’re ready to go! Find where your practice fits best and get ready to feel relaxed and enlightened! If you’re doing hatha for physical health, try adding the practice in after another workout or at the end of your day. </p><p>Looking  to build a practice for relaxation or to wind down from your anxiety? Try starting your day with practice and a cup of green tea! <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup\">MyYogaTeacher</a> has tons of options available to you! See you on your mat! </p>"},"category":["yoga_poses","yoga"],"utmCampaign":null,"utmMedium":null,"utmContent":null,"utmSource":null,"utmTerm":null,"utmSearchString":null,"imageHyperlink":[]},"loading":false,"blog_content":[{"type":"HTML","value":"<p>Are you new to yoga? Looking to develop a practice but don’t know what style or where to begin? Hatha yoga is a great choice for beginners looking to build a routine or veterans looking to deepen their practice of breathing and flexibility.</p><h2>First things first, What is Hatha Yoga?</h2><p>Hatha yoga is a form of gentle yoga made up of poses and breath work and often starts or ends with a meditation. This type of practice can be challenging because in most traditional Hatha classes, poses are held for 30 seconds to a minute. </p><p>Styles of Hatha Yoga that we offer at <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\">MyYogaTeacher</a>:</p><ul><li><div>Hatha Yoga - This practice focuses separately on each asana. Focusing on connecting each asana with the breath and deepening each pose. This practice allows for breaks between poses and is more gentle and slow paced. </div></li></ul><ul><li><div>Hatha Vinyasa - Known as a flow class, adding in the vinyasa makes the practice a little more fast paced. The poses are more linked together and the movement is connected to your breath work. </div></li></ul><h2>What are the benefits of a Hatha Yoga Practice?</h2><p>There are many benefits to building a hatha yoga practice. On the surface, for your physical health, hatha can increase flexibility, strength and balance!  Hatha is proven to fight signs of aging and  help with joint or muscle pain and improve blood flow!</p><p>When you turn your practice inward, it can also deepen your sleep and with the addition of the breathwork, your practice can also help you cope with anxiety or depression symptoms. </p><p>Hatha is a great place to start your yoga journey because you can take your time to get familiar with the poses and learn to connect them to your breath.  It’s good for the body and the mind!</p><h3>Here are 10 tips to get you started with a Hatha Yoga Practice:</h3><ol><li><div><p>Know your why - Before you start to build your practice, it’s important to establish why you’re coming to your mat. Is your reason for physical health, mental health or maybe just to press pause on your day and breathe? Each flow can be personalized for whatever brings you to your mat each day.</p></div></li><li><div><p>Be a student! - Take a class with us so you can learn how to flow on your own. Sometimes before you fly solo, you need a co-captain. And if you never decide to fly on your own, we&#39;re happy to have you here with us! Our teachers are the best and we think you&#39;ll love their classes!<br><br>Check out these three Hatha classes we love!<br><a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-yoga-for-beginner-level-by-abhishek\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-yoga-for-beginner-level-by-abhishek\"><u>Hatha for Beginners</u></a><br><a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-yoga-intermediate-level-by-shikha\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-yoga-intermediate-level-by-shikha\"><u>Hatha Yoga Intermediate</u></a><br><a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-vinyasa-intermediate-level-by-bharath\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-vinyasa-intermediate-level-by-bharath\"><u>Hatha Vinyasa</u></a></p></div></li><li><div><p>Learn to breath - In this practice, you&#39;ll be holding in poses and breathing into the space you create. The traditional breath practice for a hatha yoga class is<a title=\"https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/ujjayi-breathing#how-to-do-it\" href=\"https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/ujjayi-breathing#how-to-do-it\"><u> Ujjayi breathing</u></a> otherwise known as victorious breath. This breathing practice is often used in yoga because it forces you to slow down and focus on your breathing and its connection to your movement. </p></div></li><li><div><p>Choose your asasas - While Hatha is usually a gentle practice, there is no right or wrong way to build your Hatha flow. The goal is just to focus and move your body! All you need is a minimum of three to five poses to get started! Start by reviewing the poses you know and then when you’re ready, add more as you grow.</p></div></li><li><div><p>Practice your pause - once you know what asanas you’d like to practice, grab a stopwatch! Work on holding each pose for 30 seconds, then 45 seconds, then a minute. Don’t forget to breathe into it. And if you can, try to find space and deepen into each pose as you practice more. </p></div></li><li><div><p>Find a way to beat the mental fatigue - Don’t give in to the voice in your head that says you can’t do this.  Holding the poses can be difficult at first. Have a little grace and try your best not to give up. Practice your mantras to keep you going. Our favorite? Your stronger than you think!</p></div></li><li><div><p>Build a meditation practice - When building a meditation practice, it’s important to figure out what you need from it. Do you need mantras to help you keep going? Do you need to visual what&#39;s coming? Or do you need to focus inward on your breath and the current moment. Remember, there’s no wrong answer. Play with this practice. Add it to the beginning, then the end and see where it serves you. Can’t settle in for quiet reflection? Try journaling instead. </p></div></li><li><div><p>Be benevolent to yourself - In Hatha yoga, one of the most important practices is the principle of non-violence (ahimsa) this means do no harm to yourself or to others Try to go through your life being kind to yourself on and off your mat. For more on this practice, check out <a title=\"https://yogauonline.com/yoga-practice-tips-and-inspiration/ahimsa-use-yogic-principles-practice-nonviolence\" href=\"https://yogauonline.com/yoga-practice-tips-and-inspiration/ahimsa-use-yogic-principles-practice-nonviolence\"><u>this article</u></a> by Yogauonline</p></div></li><li><div><p>Read the text- Like a lot of Yoga, hatha isn’t just based on a movement practice. In fact, there are two connected texts to teach you the foundations of this practice. <a title=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatha_Yoga_Pradipika\" href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatha_Yoga_Pradipika\"><u>Hatha Yoga Pradipika </u></a>- a 15th century Sanskrit manual on the practice and style. <a title=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva_Samhita\" href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva_Samhita\"><u>Siva Samhita</u></a> - from the hindu perspective breaking “yoga” the practice, down into five parts.</p></div></li><li><div><p>Track the progress of your practice - Once you’ve developed your practice, there is no ‘ end&#39; in yoga, we can only keep coming back to deepen or extend our practice. That’s why it’s a “practice” because there is no perfect. You can always adjust. Some days you’ll need more, some days less. But all the days…you&#39;ll need yoga. </p></div></li></ol><h3>Five poses to get started with Hatha Yoga:</h3><h4>1. Childs Pose</h4><p>Focus on your third eye here. Move your head from right to left to massage your forehead.</p>\n            <picture>\n              <source \n                type=\"image/webp\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/resize=width:600,height:400/tfiXCn1ERgygRE3kPO4U\" \n                alt=\"Childs Pose\"\n                title=\"Childs Pose\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <source \n                type=\"image/jpg\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/resize=width:600,height:400/tfiXCn1ERgygRE3kPO4U\"\n                alt=\"Childs Pose\"\n                title=\"Childs Pose\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <img \n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/resize=width:600,height:400/tfiXCn1ERgygRE3kPO4U\"\n                alt=\"Childs Pose\"\n                title=\"Childs Pose\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n          </picture>\n        <h4><br>2. Cat Pose</h4><p>Breath into your spine as you arch your back away from the floor. Relax your neck.</p>\n            <picture>\n              <source \n                type=\"image/webp\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/resize=width:600,height:400/OIrqGC3OQN2sef4eMZeO\" \n                alt=\"Cat Pose\"\n                title=\"Cat Pose\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <source \n                type=\"image/jpg\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/resize=width:600,height:400/OIrqGC3OQN2sef4eMZeO\"\n                alt=\"Cat Pose\"\n                title=\"Cat Pose\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <img \n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/resize=width:600,height:400/OIrqGC3OQN2sef4eMZeO\"\n                alt=\"Cat Pose\"\n                title=\"Cat Pose\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n          </picture>\n        <p></p><h4>3. Down Dog</h4><p>Focus on lengthening your heels into the floor and pushing your hips towards the back of the room. </p>\n            <picture>\n              <source \n                type=\"image/webp\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/resize=width:600,height:400/Ikk08ztXTba3H0JA5CIT\" \n                alt=\"Down Dog Pose\"\n                title=\"Down Dog Pose\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <source \n                type=\"image/jpg\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/resize=width:600,height:400/Ikk08ztXTba3H0JA5CIT\"\n                alt=\"Down Dog Pose\"\n                title=\"Down Dog Pose\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <img \n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/resize=width:600,height:400/Ikk08ztXTba3H0JA5CIT\"\n                alt=\"Down Dog Pose\"\n                title=\"Down Dog Pose\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n          </picture>\n        <p></p><h4>4. Forward Fold</h4><p>Surrender into this pose. Reach your palms towards the floor and deepen your stretch with every exhale.</p>\n            <picture>\n              <source \n                type=\"image/webp\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/resize=width:600,height:400/94M7yUBXSk2qtA6rfiHI\" \n                alt=\"Forward Fold\"\n                title=\"Forward Fold\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <source \n                type=\"image/jpg\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/resize=width:600,height:400/94M7yUBXSk2qtA6rfiHI\"\n                alt=\"Forward Fold\"\n                title=\"Forward Fold\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <img \n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/resize=width:600,height:400/94M7yUBXSk2qtA6rfiHI\"\n                alt=\"Forward Fold\"\n                title=\"Forward Fold\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n          </picture>\n        <p></p><h4>5. Savasana</h4><p>Relax your entire body into the ground. Release all the tension and slow your breath. </p>\n            <picture>\n              <source \n                type=\"image/webp\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/resize=width:600,height:400/qn2RUYaSQw6h5JwmSeyo\" \n                alt=\"Savasana\"\n                title=\"Savasana\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <source \n                type=\"image/jpg\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/resize=width:600,height:400/qn2RUYaSQw6h5JwmSeyo\"\n                alt=\"Savasana\"\n                title=\"Savasana\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <img \n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/resize=width:600,height:400/qn2RUYaSQw6h5JwmSeyo\"\n                alt=\"Savasana\"\n                title=\"Savasana\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n          </picture>\n        <p><br>Now that you have the tools you need, you’re ready to go! Find where your practice fits best and get ready to feel relaxed and enlightened! If you’re doing hatha for physical health, try adding the practice in after another workout or at the end of your day. </p><p>Looking  to build a practice for relaxation or to wind down from your anxiety? Try starting your day with practice and a cup of green tea! <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup\">MyYogaTeacher</a> has tons of options available to you! See you on your mat! </p>"},{"type":"CTA","value":"[CTA-DEFAULT]"}],"isSlugACategory":false,"searchCategory":"start-hatha-yoga-practice","showPopUp":false,"popUpType":null,"showedPopup":false,"windowWidth":null,"ctaPath":"free-trial-o","redirectURL":"#","current_url":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/start-hatha-yoga-practice","student_details":"","facebookUrl":"","twitterUrl":"","copyUrl":"","emailUrl":"","ctaContent":[{"id":"ckxrz2i14tov40c25g1dpicsg","name":"[CTA-DEFAULT]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong> with authentic yoga teachers. 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No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Hatha Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>with Authentic Indian Teachers</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"cky90p88g3zgc0d23yz6taont","name":"[CTA-NASAL]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private sessions </strong>to relieve post nasal drip and clear out your sinus. </p><p><strong>PLUS, 2 weeks of unlimited group classes </strong>with authentic Indian yoga teachers. 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Read the article and get started!","content":{"text":"Are you new to yoga? Looking to develop a practice but don’t know what style or where to begin? Hatha yoga is a great choice for beginners looking to build a routine or veterans looking to deepen their practice of breathing and flexibility.\\nFirst things first, What is Hatha Yoga?\\nHatha yoga is a form of gentle yoga made up of poses and breath work and often starts or ends with a meditation. This type of practice can be challenging because in most traditional Hatha classes, poses are held for 30 seconds to a minute. \\nStyles of Hatha Yoga that we offer at \\nMyYogaTeacher\\n:\\nHatha Yoga - This practice focuses separately on each asana. Focusing on connecting each asana with the breath and deepening each pose. This practice allows for breaks between poses and is more gentle and slow paced. \\nHatha Vinyasa - Known as a flow class, adding in the vinyasa makes the practice a little more fast paced. The poses are more linked together and the movement is connected to your breath work. \\nWhat are the benefits of a Hatha Yoga Practice?\\nThere are many benefits to building a hatha yoga practice. On the surface, for your physical health, hatha can increase flexibility, strength and balance!  Hatha is proven to fight signs of aging and  help with joint or muscle pain and improve blood flow!\\nWhen you turn your practice inward, it can also deepen your sleep and with the addition of the breathwork, your practice can also help you cope with anxiety or depression symptoms. \\nHatha is a great place to start your yoga journey because you can take your time to get familiar with the poses and learn to connect them to your breath.  It’s good for the body and the mind!\\nHere are 10 tips to get you started with a Hatha Yoga Practice:\\nKnow your why - Before you start to build your practice, it’s important to establish why you’re coming to your mat. Is your reason for physical health, mental health or maybe just to press pause on your day and breathe? Each flow can be personalized for whatever brings you to your mat each day.\\nBe a student! - Take a class with us so you can learn how to flow on your own. Sometimes before you fly solo, you need a co-captain. And if you never decide to fly on your own, we're happy to have you here with us! Our teachers are the best and we think you'll love their classes!\n⁠\n⁠Check out these three Hatha classes we love!\n⁠\\nHatha for Beginners\\n\n⁠\\nHatha Yoga Intermediate\\n\n⁠\\nHatha Vinyasa\\n\\nLearn to breath - In this practice, you'll be holding in poses and breathing into the space you create. The traditional breath practice for a hatha yoga class is\\n Ujjayi breathing\\n otherwise known as victorious breath. This breathing practice is often used in yoga because it forces you to slow down and focus on your breathing and its connection to your movement. \\nChoose your asasas - While Hatha is usually a gentle practice, there is no right or wrong way to build your Hatha flow. The goal is just to focus and move your body! All you need is a minimum of three to five poses to get started! Start by reviewing the poses you know and then when you’re ready, add more as you grow.\\nPractice your pause - once you know what asanas you’d like to practice, grab a stopwatch! Work on holding each pose for 30 seconds, then 45 seconds, then a minute. Don’t forget to breathe into it. And if you can, try to find space and deepen into each pose as you practice more. \\nFind a way to beat the mental fatigue - Don’t give in to the voice in your head that says you can’t do this.  Holding the poses can be difficult at first. Have a little grace and try your best not to give up. Practice your mantras to keep you going. Our favorite? Your stronger than you think!\\nBuild a meditation practice - When building a meditation practice, it’s important to figure out what you need from it. Do you need mantras to help you keep going? Do you need to visual what's coming? Or do you need to focus inward on your breath and the current moment. Remember, there’s no wrong answer. Play with this practice. Add it to the beginning, then the end and see where it serves you. Can’t settle in for quiet reflection? Try journaling instead. \\nBe benevolent to yourself - In Hatha yoga, one of the most important practices is the principle of non-violence (ahimsa) this means do no harm to yourself or to others Try to go through your life being kind to yourself on and off your mat. For more on this practice, check out \\nthis article\\n by Yogauonline\\nRead the text- Like a lot of Yoga, hatha isn’t just based on a movement practice. In fact, there are two connected texts to teach you the foundations of this practice. \\nHatha Yoga Pradipika \\n- a 15th century Sanskrit manual on the practice and style. \\nSiva Samhita\\n - from the hindu perspective breaking “yoga” the practice, down into five parts.\\nTrack the progress of your practice - Once you’ve developed your practice, there is no ‘ end' in yoga, we can only keep coming back to deepen or extend our practice. That’s why it’s a “practice” because there is no perfect. You can always adjust. Some days you’ll need more, some days less. But all the days…you'll need yoga. \\nFive poses to get started with Hatha Yoga:\\n1. Childs Pose\\nFocus on your third eye here. Move your head from right to left to massage your forehead.\\n\\n\n2. Cat Pose\\nBreath into your spine as you arch your back away from the floor. Relax your neck.\\n\\n\\n3. Down Dog\\nFocus on lengthening your heels into the floor and pushing your hips towards the back of the room. \\n\\n\\n4. Forward Fold\\nSurrender into this pose. Reach your palms towards the floor and deepen your stretch with every exhale.\\n\\n\\n5. Savasana\\nRelax your entire body into the ground. Release all the tension and slow your breath. \\n\\n\nNow that you have the tools you need, you’re ready to go! Find where your practice fits best and get ready to feel relaxed and enlightened! If you’re doing hatha for physical health, try adding the practice in after another workout or at the end of your day. \\nLooking  to build a practice for relaxation or to wind down from your anxiety? Try starting your day with practice and a cup of green tea! \\nMyYogaTeacher\\n has tons of options available to you! See you on your mat! ","html":"<p>Are you new to yoga? Looking to develop a practice but don’t know what style or where to begin? Hatha yoga is a great choice for beginners looking to build a routine or veterans looking to deepen their practice of breathing and flexibility.</p><h2>First things first, What is Hatha Yoga?</h2><p>Hatha yoga is a form of gentle yoga made up of poses and breath work and often starts or ends with a meditation. This type of practice can be challenging because in most traditional Hatha classes, poses are held for 30 seconds to a minute. </p><p>Styles of Hatha Yoga that we offer at <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/dashboard\">MyYogaTeacher</a>:</p><ul><li><div>Hatha Yoga - This practice focuses separately on each asana. Focusing on connecting each asana with the breath and deepening each pose. This practice allows for breaks between poses and is more gentle and slow paced. </div></li></ul><ul><li><div>Hatha Vinyasa - Known as a flow class, adding in the vinyasa makes the practice a little more fast paced. The poses are more linked together and the movement is connected to your breath work. </div></li></ul><h2>What are the benefits of a Hatha Yoga Practice?</h2><p>There are many benefits to building a hatha yoga practice. On the surface, for your physical health, hatha can increase flexibility, strength and balance!  Hatha is proven to fight signs of aging and  help with joint or muscle pain and improve blood flow!</p><p>When you turn your practice inward, it can also deepen your sleep and with the addition of the breathwork, your practice can also help you cope with anxiety or depression symptoms. </p><p>Hatha is a great place to start your yoga journey because you can take your time to get familiar with the poses and learn to connect them to your breath.  It’s good for the body and the mind!</p><h3>Here are 10 tips to get you started with a Hatha Yoga Practice:</h3><ol><li><div><p>Know your why - Before you start to build your practice, it’s important to establish why you’re coming to your mat. Is your reason for physical health, mental health or maybe just to press pause on your day and breathe? Each flow can be personalized for whatever brings you to your mat each day.</p></div></li><li><div><p>Be a student! - Take a class with us so you can learn how to flow on your own. Sometimes before you fly solo, you need a co-captain. And if you never decide to fly on your own, we&#39;re happy to have you here with us! Our teachers are the best and we think you&#39;ll love their classes!<br><br>Check out these three Hatha classes we love!<br><a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-yoga-for-beginner-level-by-abhishek\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-yoga-for-beginner-level-by-abhishek\"><u>Hatha for Beginners</u></a><br><a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-yoga-intermediate-level-by-shikha\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-yoga-intermediate-level-by-shikha\"><u>Hatha Yoga Intermediate</u></a><br><a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-vinyasa-intermediate-level-by-bharath\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/hatha-vinyasa-intermediate-level-by-bharath\"><u>Hatha Vinyasa</u></a></p></div></li><li><div><p>Learn to breath - In this practice, you&#39;ll be holding in poses and breathing into the space you create. The traditional breath practice for a hatha yoga class is<a title=\"https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/ujjayi-breathing#how-to-do-it\" href=\"https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/ujjayi-breathing#how-to-do-it\"><u> Ujjayi breathing</u></a> otherwise known as victorious breath. This breathing practice is often used in yoga because it forces you to slow down and focus on your breathing and its connection to your movement. </p></div></li><li><div><p>Choose your asasas - While Hatha is usually a gentle practice, there is no right or wrong way to build your Hatha flow. The goal is just to focus and move your body! All you need is a minimum of three to five poses to get started! Start by reviewing the poses you know and then when you’re ready, add more as you grow.</p></div></li><li><div><p>Practice your pause - once you know what asanas you’d like to practice, grab a stopwatch! Work on holding each pose for 30 seconds, then 45 seconds, then a minute. Don’t forget to breathe into it. And if you can, try to find space and deepen into each pose as you practice more. </p></div></li><li><div><p>Find a way to beat the mental fatigue - Don’t give in to the voice in your head that says you can’t do this.  Holding the poses can be difficult at first. Have a little grace and try your best not to give up. Practice your mantras to keep you going. Our favorite? Your stronger than you think!</p></div></li><li><div><p>Build a meditation practice - When building a meditation practice, it’s important to figure out what you need from it. Do you need mantras to help you keep going? Do you need to visual what&#39;s coming? Or do you need to focus inward on your breath and the current moment. Remember, there’s no wrong answer. Play with this practice. Add it to the beginning, then the end and see where it serves you. Can’t settle in for quiet reflection? Try journaling instead. </p></div></li><li><div><p>Be benevolent to yourself - In Hatha yoga, one of the most important practices is the principle of non-violence (ahimsa) this means do no harm to yourself or to others Try to go through your life being kind to yourself on and off your mat. For more on this practice, check out <a title=\"https://yogauonline.com/yoga-practice-tips-and-inspiration/ahimsa-use-yogic-principles-practice-nonviolence\" href=\"https://yogauonline.com/yoga-practice-tips-and-inspiration/ahimsa-use-yogic-principles-practice-nonviolence\"><u>this article</u></a> by Yogauonline</p></div></li><li><div><p>Read the text- Like a lot of Yoga, hatha isn’t just based on a movement practice. In fact, there are two connected texts to teach you the foundations of this practice. <a title=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatha_Yoga_Pradipika\" href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatha_Yoga_Pradipika\"><u>Hatha Yoga Pradipika </u></a>- a 15th century Sanskrit manual on the practice and style. <a title=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva_Samhita\" href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva_Samhita\"><u>Siva Samhita</u></a> - from the hindu perspective breaking “yoga” the practice, down into five parts.</p></div></li><li><div><p>Track the progress of your practice - Once you’ve developed your practice, there is no ‘ end&#39; in yoga, we can only keep coming back to deepen or extend our practice. That’s why it’s a “practice” because there is no perfect. You can always adjust. Some days you’ll need more, some days less. But all the days…you&#39;ll need yoga. </p></div></li></ol><h3>Five poses to get started with Hatha Yoga:</h3><h4>1. Childs Pose</h4><p>Focus on your third eye here. Move your head from right to left to massage your forehead.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=width:600,height:400/tfiXCn1ERgygRE3kPO4U\" alt=\"Childs Pose\" title=\"Childspose.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><h4><br>2. Cat Pose</h4><p>Breath into your spine as you arch your back away from the floor. Relax your neck.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=width:600,height:400/OIrqGC3OQN2sef4eMZeO\" alt=\"Cat Pose\" title=\"Cat.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><p></p><h4>3. Down Dog</h4><p>Focus on lengthening your heels into the floor and pushing your hips towards the back of the room. </p><img src=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=width:600,height:400/Ikk08ztXTba3H0JA5CIT\" alt=\"Down Dog Pose\" title=\"downdog.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><p></p><h4>4. Forward Fold</h4><p>Surrender into this pose. Reach your palms towards the floor and deepen your stretch with every exhale.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=width:600,height:400/94M7yUBXSk2qtA6rfiHI\" alt=\"Forward Fold\" title=\"Forwardfold.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><p></p><h4>5. Savasana</h4><p>Relax your entire body into the ground. Release all the tension and slow your breath. </p><img src=\"https://media.graphassets.com/resize=width:600,height:400/qn2RUYaSQw6h5JwmSeyo\" alt=\"Savasana\" title=\"savasana.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><p><br>Now that you have the tools you need, you’re ready to go! Find where your practice fits best and get ready to feel relaxed and enlightened! If you’re doing hatha for physical health, try adding the practice in after another workout or at the end of your day. </p><p>Looking  to build a practice for relaxation or to wind down from your anxiety? Try starting your day with practice and a cup of green tea! <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup\">MyYogaTeacher</a> has tons of options available to you! See you on your mat! </p>"},"category":["yoga_poses","yoga"],"utmCampaign":null,"utmMedium":null,"utmContent":null,"utmSource":null,"utmTerm":null,"utmSearchString":null,"imageHyperlink":[]},"recommendations_group_class":[{"session_uuid":"c779b16e-bd8c-4380-a671-4a713c89fc8f","student_uuid":"b46ccca4-92be-4f07-bc98-5170dd05c819","teacher_uuid":"b7a7a820-94e1-4e2d-be39-5f76419c1598","teacher_name":"Anuj Poonia","teacher_first_name":"Anuj","teacher_slug":"anuj-1","teacher_photo":"https://res.cloudinary.com/dgerdfai4/image/upload/v1589802902/teacher/photos/uthrp4fnf8brrqa9xqv7.jpg","group_session_name":"Vinyasa Yoga","group_session_description":"Vinyasa yoga connects each yoga pose to the next through a series of movements. 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