What to Bring to Your First Yoga Class

{"slug":"what-to-bring-to-yoga-class","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":"cl4gxopn3hs4z0ck3ie9pn663","slug":"myyogateacher-reviews","author":{"name":"Jitendra","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":"jitendra1.png"},"title":"MyYogaTeacher Reviews! What People Are Saying About The Online Yoga Platform","createdAt":"2022-06-16T11:23:34.459237+00:00","coverUrl":"isq4hw4ivknbxwkgziz0.jpg","content":{"text":"MyYogaTeacher now has over \\n105,400 \\nstudents and a 4.9 star rating with 73,653 reviews!\\n\\nApple App Store Reviews: 4.9 out of 5 star rating - 1,010 reviews\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nGoogle Play Store Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 star rating - 596 reviews\\n\\n\\n\\n100+ Expert Indian Yoga Teachers – 40+ Daily Classes (Live & Interactive) – Affordable 1-on-1 Sessions – All Online, All Free to Try!\\n\\n[CTA-DEFAULT]\\n⁠MyYogaTeacher made its debut in September of 2019, and ever since then, the team has strived to provide not only high quality yoga instruction, but more importantly, a phenomenal yoga community experience!\\nWith over 100 expert yoga teachers from India, over 40 different types of group yoga classes, and the opportunity for affordable, 1-on-1 superb yoga instruction, the MyYogaTeacher community continues to grow, grow, grow!\\nWe are humbled by our community growth, and excited for the future!\\n\\n\\nNot familiar with MyYogaTeacher yet?\\nThe experienced, expert yoga teachers at MyYogaTeacher all teach from the roots of yoga and tradition. And they are not just invested in your yoga journey. They’re invested in \\nyou\\n. Your health, life, goals, successes and failures.\\nWe walk alongside our students, helping them in more than just their yoga practice. Because humans were built for connection. They were not built to do this life (or yoga) on their own.\n⁠\n⁠If you haven’t experienced virtual private yoga classes yet, MyYogaTeacher makes 1:1 classes affordable and accessible! PLUS, with your membership, you get:\\nRadiance! More energy, peace of mind, and better health & fitness\\n42+ daily group yoga classes, 100% live!\\nDiscounted yoga workshops, all live and interactive!\\nMaking new like-minded friends from around the world\\n\\nGrab your 2-week free trial and check out your membership options here!\\n\\nMyYogaTeacher was co-founded by Jitendra Gupta. His mission is to give people all over the world access to top-notch yoga instruction because he knows and understands how it can positively impact your physical and mental health. Jitendra wants to help empower you to take positive steps forward in your life, to heal from pain and illnesses. And he knows firsthand that yoga can do just that!\\nBut for Jitendra, it was never about getting MyYogaTeacher reviews. It’s about helping humans.\\nSo we’ve created an online yoga community that provides the highest quality, traditional, authentic yoga instruction via two-way live streaming. So you can practice yoga anywhere and everywhere you want, connect with your yoga instructors, get personalized feedback and corrections, make friends from all over the world, and grow in your yoga journey. And also grow as a human.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nHow does MyYogaTeacher work?\\nWhen you sign up to be a MyYogaTeacher member, you’ll have the opportunity to view all our group classes (over 40 of them!), which you can filter by class, teacher, or type – like \\nVinyasa\\n, \\nPower Yoga\\n, \\nHatha\\n and more unique classes like ‘\\nChakra and Sound Healing\\n’, ‘\\nGentle Yoga\\n’, ‘\\nStretch and Breathe\\n’ and ‘\\nKriya, Pranayama, and Meditation’\\n. You’ll see all the different class times and you’ll be able to check out the teacher profile for each yoga class instructor.\\nOnce you sign up for a class day and time that fits your schedule, you’ll receive a confirmation in your email, which will have the Zoom link you’ll use to join the class! You’ll also get an email reminder for your class. Additionally, you always have the option to chat with your yoga teacher in the MyYogaTeacher \\napp\\n or on your desktop if you’re logged into the MyYogaTeacher platform\\nOnce your class begins, you can choose to have your camera on or off, as well as your microphone, and you may chat with your instructor via the chat function in Zoom. He or she will often have someone modeling the yoga poses correctly for your reference or will be doing it with you. \\nYou will also have the opportunity to tell your instructor about any medical concerns, illnesses, injuries, or prior injuries you may have, and ask for modifications for those concerns. \\nBenefits of yoga at home (or anywhere you have WiFi!)\\nHere at MyYogaTeacher, we understand that many people don’t feel comfortable participating in an in-person group yoga class. Or they just don’t have the time and energy to make travel to a gym or yoga studio. So they either don’t try or do yoga at all or they rely on pre-recorded yoga from random yoga instructors they found on the internet. \\nNeither of these are great options!\\nWhile yoga at home is very beneficial, it can be harmful without proper guidance from an experienced, expert instructor. However, with MyYogaTeacher the benefits of yoga at home (or anywhere you feel comfortable) abound! Benefits like…\\nPersonalized attention -\\n Each class is like having a yoga teacher in your home\\nIndividual corrections - \\nGiven with compassion, explanation, and encouragement\\nWearing what you want - \\nNo need to worry about being judged for your attire\\nNo more travel time - \\nSave money, time, and gas\\nUsing your own yoga equipment - \\nNo need to borrow a mat or blocks from the studio or gym that may have not been cleaned\\nPractice any time - \\nMyYogaTeacher offers live classes at many different times of day and night\\nMonthly workshops - \\nWe offer all kinds of workshops for you to explore and grow in your life journey\\nDoing yoga at home doesn’t have to mean you miss out on quality yoga instruction, connection with other yogis, or “in-person” attention from your yoga teacher! \\nOur private yoga instructors are all about giving yogis individualized attention, focused instruction, and modified poses that keep yogis coming back for more every week. MyYogaTeacher yoga teachers are highly experienced, expert yoga instructors who offer 1-on-1 yoga classes for people just like you!\\nWhen you sign up for a 1:1 membership with us you get:\\n102 expert\\n, highly qualified yoga instructors to choose from\\nThe ability to switch instructors\\n or take classes with only your faves\\nAccess to unlimited group classes\\n, taught \\nlive\\nPersonalized instruction\\n and work out, diet, and lifestyle plans\\nTo be a member of a HUGE community\\n of happy yogis from around the world\\nYoga teachers who become friends\\n, who truly care about you!\\nIf you haven’t checked us out already, \\ngrab two free 1:1 sessions with your 2-week free trial here\\n!\\nListen to what some of our amazing yoga students have to say about the benefits of doing yoga at home with MyYogaTeacher!\\n\\n"}},{"id":"cl8ydkwnvhu6s0aheyrlyqlrv","slug":"how-to-practice-yoga-at-home","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Yoga at Home : 10 ways to start your home yoga practice","createdAt":"2022-10-07T10:59:25.142855+00:00","coverUrl":"ajwcgjkkcaeg1mp3bb9p.jpg","content":{"text":"How to get Started:\\nAre you ready to commit to an at home yoga practice? No matter what your reasons for deciding to start an at home practice, \\nMyYogaTeacher\\n has you covered! We will help you begin your journey from beginner to advanced yogi, all without having to leave the comfort of your own home.\\n1. Set up your yoga space\\nWhen you decide to start an at home practice you want to create a space that inspires movement. Since you’ll be coming to your Zen space often, this should be a spot in your home that promotes joy, comfort and peace.\n⁠\\nWhat you need\\nStart with a quiet space. You don’t want to be in a space where you can hear traffic, noise or your family bickering. Find a space where you’re away from noise. If you can’t find a place that’s quiet, invest in headphones for your practice.\\nPlay some music! Grab a small speaker or headphones and find your tunes. There are tons of great yoga playlist available. Find one that inspires you!\\nVisual aids Images or quotes that motivate you. You can put these up or even make a vision board which will help with intentions when you’re read to set them!\\nYourself! The most important thing you’ll need is you! Come as you are to your space. Thank yourself for showing up and have some grace as you begin your journey.\\n2. Get your gear\\nTo begin a yoga practice at home, there are a few things you’ll need to bring to your physical space. If you’re a yogi on a budget, no worries! We’ll provide you with a swap you already have at home!\\nA Mat or towel : Normally for yoga, we use a mat for our practice. If you don’t have one, you can use a towel or two. Just make sure it’s thick and doesn’t slip too much!\\nA bolster or small pillow and blanket: If you’re interested in a relaxation or deep stretch practice, these are essential.  A small couch pillow can take the place of a bolster and any blanket will suffice.\\nBlocks or books:  Sometimes we use blocks in our practice to help deepen a pose or get us closer in our pose. You can also use a chapter book in place of a block!\\nWith these swaps there’s no excuse to wait till you can purchase props to get started! You have everything you need already!\\n \\n3. Find your Why\\nWhy do you want to build an at home yoga practice?\\nWhat are your goals? Before you get started, sit down and think about your “why”.  Be intentional about why you’re on this journey. Our online classes can be a great addition to your at home practice! \\nYou can grab a free trial and get started with us today! \\n\\n Do you want to get stronger?\\n \\nTry a power\\n or\\n \\nvinyasa practice.\\n\\nAre you looking to find more ways to relax?\\n \\nTry a restorative\\n or\\n \\nyin practice.\\n \\n \\nTrying to lose weight?\\n \\nTry our mindful weight loss class.\\n\\n \\n4.Find Your Style\\nWhat type of Yoga is right for you?\\nLet’s break down some of the most popular styles so you can find the right fit for your home practice!\\nVinyasa\\nA vinyasa practice is meant to build strength in your body and mind. Typically, we move with our breath in a vinyasa class. One breath per movement. This flow class is good for building strength.\n⁠\\nHatha\\nGetting back into a fitness routine? Hatha is great for building into an existing or newly revamped fitness routine. This style is meant to improve overall health and fitness as well as build a mind-body connection.\n⁠\\nAshtanga\\nAn Ashtanga practice is for toning up. This practice helps you to build strength and flexibility. This practice is better for intermediate or advanced students as it uses a lot of upper body and core strength.\n⁠\\nYin Yoga\\nLooking to relax? Yin is meant to relax the body and help alleviate any pain or tension in the body. This style is great for recovery for athletes or those rehabbing an injury!\n⁠\n\\nNow you’re ready to practice:\n⁠\\n5. Begin your journey\\n·         Rule of 5’s – Stick to your goals by practicing the rule of 5’s. Five minutes, Five poses, Five deep breaths(slow inhales and exhales) . This is a great way to get started! Slow and steady wins the race and you can ease into your journey with just five minutes at a time!\\n·         Poses for beginners – Five poses to get you started! These poses are great for everyone beginner through advanced.\\n\\n- Mountain Pose\\n\\n\\n\\n- Forward Fold Pose\n⁠\\n\\n\\n- Downward Facing Dog Pose\\n\\n\\n\\n- Pigeon Pose\\n\\n\\n\\n- Child Pose\\n\\n\\n\\n6. Set an Intention\\nThis is your guiding force. It can change with each practice or always be the same. Pick a mantra or an intention. Let it drive you. Let it help you find your focus\\n \\n7. Find your breath\\nBegin a prana practice! There are lots of different types of breath practices. Find one that helps you find balance and try to add it into your practice.\\nRead more about them in\\n \\nthis article\\n from our website!\\n\\n8.\\n \\nCommit to a schedule\\nFitting yoga into your life should be easy. Take some time to think about your goals.\\nHow much time do you want to commit to your practice daily or weekly?\\nSet a goal to do yoga a certain number of days per week. Remember to make your goal attainable. It can always be adjusted. Yoga is a practice, not a perfect. There are no wrong answers in yoga. Any time you make to move your body is an achievement.\\n \\n9. Enhance your home practice\\nStill building your Zen space? Here are some things to add to your space to create an atmosphere you can really relax in!\\nEssential Oils- Grab a few of your favorite oils and a diffuser so your space’s aroma puts you in the right state of mind to move.\\nJournaling- Sometimes the only way to get out of our heads is to put a pen to paper. If your mind is too busy while you practice, try to journal before. Get a notebook and special pen you can keep in you Zen den!\\nBuilding a meditation practice- Extend your yoga practice by building a meditation practice to add on before or after your flow. This can help you emerge from your space more calm, cool and collected.\\n \\n10.\\n \\nFind your community\\nHow to begin an at home practice with us at MyYogaTeacher. \\n\\nJoin our free trial\\n: You’ll get two FREE weeks of unlimited group classes and two free 1-on-1 sessions. \\nHave a plan! Our expert yoga teachers will help customize a plan that’s perfect for you! \\nTake classes & build your practice every day! \\nNow that you have the tools and information, you’re ready to go! Make a plan and get started! Your body will thank you!"}},{"id":"ckfqzaoyg02500179i70rewym","slug":"what-is-breath-ratio-breathing","author":{"name":"Jitendra","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":"jitendra1.png"},"title":"What is Breath Ratio breathing?","createdAt":"2020-03-21T00:00:00+00:00","coverUrl":"Social-post-11-1.png","content":{"text":"As part of our Breathing to Find Calm series, we are exploring Yoga \\nbreathing techniques\\n that cultivate a sense of peace and calm in the body. In this article, we'll talk about the Breath Ratio!\\n\\nSimply put, breathing with a \\nBreath Ratio\\n is evening out the inhale, the natural pause between breath and the exhale. In this example, you can count to 4 but really the number doesn't matter! Just do what feels good to you. \\n\\nBreathing in this way relaxes the nervous system. With an even and predictable breath, the body relaxes. With your mind focusing on the breath, your mind also relaxes. \\n\\nTry this for several breaths and tell us what you think!\\n"}}],"relatedPosts":[{"id":"cklkxgum87xl509314u5faawv","slug":"yoga-for-kids","author":{"name":"Sujit Tiwari","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"5 Reasons Why Kids May Need Yoga More Than Adults","createdAt":"2021-02-25T13:54:08.269963+00:00","coverUrl":"pexels-gabby-12-small.jpg","content":{"text":"In a world where parents are all hustle and bustle and go, go, go, it’s no wonder our children are stressed out, anxious, and have zero self awareness.\\n\\nThey don’t have time to be self aware!\\n\\nAnxiety and stress in little kids all the way to older teenagers can look like sleeping a lot, temper tantrums, crying over “nothing,” not eating, or eating too much. It can show up as hyperactivity, bad attitudes, poor mental focus, bad grades.\\n\\nOr it can show up as many more terrible things that no parent wants to think about.\\n\\nWe stress how important it is for adults to take part in selfcare, to stretch and move our bodies. Surely, at this point in history, every adult knows that selfcare is a thing we should all be doing. But what are we telling our children to do for selfcare? \\n\\nSports? After school activities? Clubs? More doing. Less being. More rushing around. Less stillness. Less quiet time to process their days, their emotions. And your days, your emotions. Because kids are subject to those too.\\n\\nDo we ever teach them how to just be? \\n\\nThis is why I offer a \\nKids Yoga class at myYogaTeacher\\n! Because kids with healthy bodies, minds, and spirits make for adults with healthy minds, bodies, and spirits!\\n\\nHere are some reasons I’m passionate about teaching kids the importance of yoga.\\n\\n1. Yoga improves a child’s mood.\\n\\nWe all know that happier \\nkids\\n make their parents, teachers, coaches, etc. happier. But the focus really needs to be more on the children and less on the adults!\\n\\nKids have fewer tools than adults to help them regulate their mood. \\n\\nJust like any other physical activity, yoga releases endorphins, those feel good feelings, which, in turn, reduces stress and anxiety. When children experience less stress and anxiety, they eat better, sleep better, act better, perform better. \\n\\nThey do everything better. Just like adults do.\\n\\nThey’re calmer. And all the built up negativity is released. Plus, yoga is fun! It’s not competitive, and kids are free to be themselves.\\n\\nSpeaking of being themselves...\\n\\n2. Yoga helps children self regulate\\n\\nHow can we expect kids to self soothe, regulate their behaviors and emotions, and regain focus if we don’t give them the tools they need for self awareness? Unlike adults, kids often have very little control over their lives. \\n\\nThey’re told what to do and when and how. \\n\\nA regular kids’ yoga practice will help children of all ages look inward and take time to examine why they feel or behave in certain ways and process that. With that information, they can discover how to change bad habits or behaviors, work through negative emotions in appropriate ways, and have a clear mind to make better choices in the face of challenging situations.\\n\\nKids yoga isn’t just about strength, flexibility, or getting the sillies out. It’s a portal for them to just be who they are designed to be! Let your kids check it out with a \\ntwo week free trial at myYogaTeacher.\\n\\n\\n3. Yoga improves sleep for kids.\\n\\nDid you know that school age children need anywhere from 9-12 hours of sleep every night? \\n\\nWith parents hurrying their children from one activity to another, the long hours of homework, or just being allowed to stay up too late, it’s no wonder kids are exhausted, moody and irritable. Not to mention late night screen time impacts their rest tremendously.\\n\\nThey’re simply not getting enough sleep! Not only that, but the quality of their sleep may not be all that great.\\n\\nPracticing kids yoga right before bed is an excellent way to help them have a really restful, restorative sleep.\\n\\nThe breathwork involved in yoga helps calm their minds and nervous system. The release of tension from their muscles helps them relax and ditch the overwhelm or negative thoughts. Yoga will help them fall asleep faster and sleep better.\\n\\n4. Yoga helps their brains work better.\\n\\nYep. It’s true. Yoga literally helps kids have better memory and cognitive function.\\n\\nKids who do yoga will learn how to focus on their bodies more and better and apply that mental clarity to other areas of their life. They’ll remember more of what they learn and have more self awareness.\\n\\nYoga actually requires you to use the same neural pathways in your brain that are responsible for memory. The practice itself is sort of conditioning your brain to work better, faster, and more efficiently.\\n\\nThe meditation aspect of yoga enables kids to focus on their breath and clear out all the mind junk that may be interfering with their memory.\\n\\n\\n5. Kids don’t have it easy, but yoga helps.\\n\\nAdults who say “kids these days have it easy” need to switch places with a 12-year-old in 2021. \\n\\nLong gone are the days of riding bikes safely (and even alone) along the streets of your home town. The days of simplicity and easy afternoons fishing by the local pond.\\n\\nCompetition is more fierce in almost every aspect of kids’ lives. There is more stress to have a career that makes well above minimum wage because cost of living is atrocious.\\n\\nParents are on the go or absent, and visibly stressed out when they’re not. There’s cyber bullying, drug trafficking, human trafficking. Terrorism. Political unrest. Social unrest. Children today are forced to overcome obstacles that older generations never thought of not even once when they were growing up.\\n\\nYoga for \\nkids\\n gives children a chance to unwind, detach from the world, and create their own safe space of peace. It’s a tool they can use almost any time, anywhere, and for any circumstance to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well being.\\n\\nSo why in the world wouldn’t we encourage them to use it?\\n\\n\\nDo you have a son or daughter in need of some time on the mat? \\nCheck out my Kids Yoga (10-12 years) class\\n when you sign up for your \\nfree two-week trial at myYogaTeacher! \\n\\n\\n"}},{"id":"ckfqxl6g801170178mjc0v6h5","slug":"company-mission-culture","author":{"name":"Jitendra","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":"jitendra1.png"},"title":"MyYogaTeacher mission & culture","createdAt":"2019-01-26T00:00:00+00:00","coverUrl":"culture1.jpg","content":{"text":"Our mission: Improve physical and mental well being of the entire planet\\n\\n\\nOur commitments to each other\\n\\n1. Genuine care for our customers: Be nice and gentle with the customer. Listen to them before responding. Work on making every interaction a positive one for our customers.  E.g. if a customer is not happy with a session and wants a refund - we should accept that they are not happy and give them a refund. E.g. The customer did not like a particular session, even though we think it was great - we should accept customers judgement and try and understand what we can do better to meet customer's expectations and not waste time trying to change the customer's judgement. \\n\\n2. Have fun: We have fun while working. We celebrate our co-workers and celebrate every large and small victory with each other.\\n\\n3. Respect for the each other: We respect each other as \\nindividuals\\n. This means:\\nProfessionalism: We respect and treat each other as professionals. We help everybody grow, train and develop in order to achieve their full potential.\\nAutonomy: Respect everybody's opinions and their ability to make decisions.\\nIndividual worth: Everybody has inherent worth. We do not label or typecast. We give everybody a chance to grow.\\nAffirmation: We affirm positives in each person.\\n\\n4. Frugality: We are frugal in terms of spending money. We do not splurge on things that do not have a direct impact on making customers happy. We are wise with spending our resources.\\n\\n5. Hiring well: Hiring is a key function of the company. We focus, train and reward hiring well to ensure that we give hiring the utmost importance.\\n\\n6. Encouraging risk-taking: We embrace failure as an important part of learning. We realize that big projects require iterations and in such cases, we don't let perfection be the enemy of getting started. If we learned something new by executing fast, taking risk and failing, we are growing. We need not be afraid of failure. Risk taking, executing fast and failing fast is far better. Failure to learn is the biggest negative outcome.\\n\\n7. Understanding the value of time: We are focussed on moving fast as time is the ultimate limited resource. We are always trying to find ways to speed up learning and to reduce time for tasks by planning, collaborating and communicating better.\\n"}},{"id":"ckfqywdiw01uz01794buptfjc","slug":"the-simple-guide-to-the-8-limbs-of-yoga","author":{"name":"Jitendra","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":"jitendra1.png"},"title":"The Simple Guide to the 8 Limbs of Yoga","createdAt":"2019-08-06T00:00:00+00:00","coverUrl":"yama-definition-1_45.png","content":{"text":"Yoga is comprised of 8 parts, and each part matters. Asana, which we often think of as \\nYoga\\n, are the postures we do in a class. You’ll notice Asana is only 1 part!\\n\\nDon’t be intimidated by the Sanskrit language for these - when you break it all down, it’s actually simple. It definitely falls into the category of “simpler said than done” but it is a concise guidebook. \\n\\nYamas and Niyamas\\n\\nWe start with the \\nYamas\\n and the Niyamas, which are lovingly called the do and do nots. They fall closely in line with just general good behavior. The purpose of these steps is to build an internal integrity and a clean unruffled perspective. \\n\\nFor example, if you keep your house in good order, it becomes easier for you to move through it. If you keep it very messy and cluttered, you might move slower through your hallways or even have trouble finding things. In this example, the house is your mind and body. The Yamas and Niyamas help you to keep your mind and body in order. \\n\\nAsana\\n\\nThese are the physical postures of yoga. The simple idea is that to maintain the Yogic path of living, you must be healthy. Your body should be strong. Your mind should be open and uncluttered. \\nAsana\\n is a practice that helps us strengthen the bond between the body and mind. \\n\\nPranamaya\\n\\n In Yoga philosophy, Prana is the energy that flows through all things. And before you classify this as new age or spiritual, think of prana as just being “what exists.” Prana is a flow that we all experience. When you are nervous about an upcoming presentation, you feel flutters in your stomach perhaps. This might be a nervous response, but we can symbolically think of this of prana fluttering. When we feel bored, we often also feel heavy and a little sleepy. There are all sorts of physical reasons why - but we can think of this of slow and heavy prana.  \\n\\nWith this perspective, Pranamaya helps move this energy around in beneficial ways.\\n\\nIf you feel very nervous, you might notice that taking ten very slow and very deep breaths calms you. This is an example of Pranamaya.   \\n\\nPratyhara\\n\\nThis is the practice of training your awareness away from the outside world and turning it inward. We practice Pratyhara by noticing what is going on inside - our habits, our beliefs, our hopes and everything else in between. Here we learn the art of stepping back a little to just notice these internal patterns, doing our best to not criticize them. It can be truly surprising how much change can happen when you just notice something. \\n\\nDharana\\n\\nThis often is referred to as a practice of concentration. We begin to develop the tools for concentration by practicing Asana and Pranamaya. This helps us prepare for meditation. For example, in Asana we concentrate on the pose itself. When practicing Dharana, we might choose an object to singularly focus on. Commonly, concentration on a mantra or even just a single sound can be done. \\n\\nTry Candle Gazing to practice Dharana\\n\\nFind a comfortable seat. \\nGaze\\n at a small flame for a few moments. Close your eyes and focus on the afterimage of the flame. Attempt to think of nothing else other than this image until it disappears.\\n\\nDhyana\\n\\nDhyana follows Dharana as this become a concentration on just the mind. Here, we no longer focus on a thing - we simply have a sharp awareness. We often call this practice meditation or mindfulness. Considering that as humans, we are trained to notice, respond and do so many things with our mind, this practice is absolutely difficult. This is why we first start with Dharana - training the mind to focus and concentrate on a thing before removing that focal point and practicing Dhyana. \\n\\nSamadhi\\n\\nSimply put, Samadhi is experiencing the peace of simply existing. It is being present without stress, anxiety or busy thoughts. There is also a genuine sense of connectedness between you and all other living things. This is the peak moment within the 8limb path - and don’t worry - if you experience Samadhi you won’t be walking around like a zombie with a half-smile. This is an experience that comes and goes and eventually becomes a beautiful backdrop to how you experience your life.\\n"}}],"blogContent":{"id":"ckljzp2vc2x210c348e63z78i","slug":"what-to-bring-to-yoga-class","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"What to Bring to Your First Yoga Class","createdAt":"2021-02-24T22:08:45.893995+00:00","updatedAt":"2022-05-09T14:38:21.059365+00:00","coverUrl":"yoga-props-ckljzp2vc2x210c348e63z78i.jpg","seoDescription":"Ever wonder what yoga mat you should use? This short article talks about what to bring to a yoga class and how to find your perfect yoga mat.","content":{"text":"Yoga mat (for cushion, support, and better traction)\\nBottle of water (to stay hydrated and eliminate toxins)\\nSmall towel (to wipe away sweat and help you keep traction on the mat)\\n\\nGood to have but not necessary \\nYoga block (to help with alignment in some yoga postures)\\nYoga strap (a belt or long narrow piece of fabric will do, to help with alignment in some yoga postures)\\n\\nWhat to look for in a good Yoga Mat\\n\\nIf you have a yoga mat, definitely bring it to class. While it's not 100% necessary, it helps you to have good traction as you do poses like Warrior (so your feet don't slip around).\\n\\n\\n\\nA good mat will also help you with your balance, and is a comfortable cushion between you and the floor.\\n\\nIf you don't have a mat, it's good to get one right away. You can find them for as cheap as  $20 to $30 — these are great starter mats. When you know you'll be practicing yoga for years to come, you might want to invest in a higher quality mat, like my favorite — \\nJade Yoga Mats\\n, or the favorite of many yoga teachers \\nManduka Yoga Mats\\n.\\n\\nWe're not paid to promote either of these mats. After more than a decade of practicing yoga and teaching others, these are the mats I know are high quality, long lasting, and help you have a better practice.\\n[CTA-DEFAULT]\\nWhy Water is important when practicing yoga\\n\\nYoga is kind of like a full body massage. As you stretch your muscles and move your body, you release stored up toxins. That's why, just like a massage, you should drink plenty of water after (and during) your class.\\n\\nThis will help get the toxins out of your body and increase your energy. So bring a bottle of water to class with you, so you can stay hydrated and flush the toxins from your system.\\n\\nUse a towel to keep from slipping\\n\\nNot everyone needs this. I do. And you might too.\\n\\nIf you start to sweat in your yoga class, you'll want a towel to wipe it away. This will help you to keep traction on your mat and make your yoga classes easier for you.\\n\\nFor most people, a good sized hand towel is enough. You can wipe the sweat from your face or body and continue with your practice.\\n\\nIf you're a super sweater, you like hot yoga classes, or practice yoga after an intense workout, you might want a full body length towel to throw on top of your mat. This will give you an absorbent surface to practice on, and keep maximum traction while you sweat.\\n\\nHow yoga blocks help your practice\\n\\nYou don't need to buy yoga blocks on day one. This is an optional but handy piece of yoga equipment.\\n\\nNote:\\n blocks, straps, bolsters, cushions, and even blankets are often called \"props\". These are things you can use in your yoga practice to help with your alignment (your body in the right position)\\n\\nA yoga block is a firm foam, cork or wooden block — it's about the size of a football, but rectangular.\\n\\nYou use them to help \"bring the ground closer to you\" when you can't bend all the way down. This way you have something to rest your weight on so you can relax into the asana (yoga pose).\\n\\n\\n\\nIf you practice yoga regularly, and you can't touch the ground in every pose you're meant to, you'll have a safer and more fun practice with a yoga block.\\n\\nWhen you'll want a yoga strap\\n\\nYoga straps are great when you can't always reach your toes or the limb your supposed to grab.\\n\\nFor example, in Gomukhasana, the Cow Face pose, you're supposed to grab your hands behind your back. Many people can't do this. A strap gives them something to grab with both hands, so they can hold the pose easier and even crawl their fingers closer together, increasing the stretch and their range of motion.\\n\\n\\n\\nOr in a sitting forward bend, Paschimottanasana, if you cant reach your toes. A strap can wrap around your feet and give you the hold you need to relax deeper into the stretch. \\n\\n\\n\\nSo in every yoga class, you'll want to bring your mat, a bottle of water, and a towel. If you're going to be practicing regularly, it might be a good idea to get a couple of props like a block and strap.\\n\\nWith this, you're all set for your first yoga class! You can \\nbook a Live Online Yoga Class with expert teachers here\\n.","html":"<ul><li><div>Yoga mat (for cushion, support, and better traction)</div></li><li><div>Bottle of water (to stay hydrated and eliminate toxins)</div></li><li><div>Small towel (to wipe away sweat and help you keep traction on the mat)</div></li></ul><p></p><p>Good to have but not necessary </p><ul><li><div>Yoga block (to help with alignment in some yoga postures)</div></li><li><div>Yoga strap (a belt or long narrow piece of fabric will do, to help with alignment in some yoga postures)</div></li></ul><p></p><h2>What to look for in a good Yoga Mat</h2><p></p><p>If you have a yoga mat, definitely bring it to class. While it&#39;s not 100% necessary, it helps you to have good traction as you do poses like Warrior (so your feet don&#39;t slip around).</p><p></p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:jpg/resize=width:5191,height:3461/IzxKO7NNT26qOYFwHRyE\" alt=\"Warrior Pose 1\" title=\"warrior-II.jpg\" width=\"5191\" height=\"3461\" /><p></p><p>A good mat will also help you with your balance, and is a comfortable cushion between you and the floor.</p><p></p><p>If you don&#39;t have a mat, it&#39;s good to get one right away. You can find them for as cheap as  $20 to $30 — these are great starter mats. When you know you&#39;ll be practicing yoga for years to come, you might want to invest in a higher quality mat, like my favorite — <a target='_blank' title=\"https://jadeyoga.com/collections/yoga-mats/products/harmony-mat\" href=\"https://jadeyoga.com/collections/yoga-mats/products/harmony-mat\">Jade Yoga Mats</a>, or the favorite of many yoga teachers <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.manduka.com/products/manduka-pro-yoga-mat\" href=\"https://www.manduka.com/products/manduka-pro-yoga-mat\">Manduka Yoga Mats</a>.</p><p></p><p>We&#39;re not paid to promote either of these mats. After more than a decade of practicing yoga and teaching others, these are the mats I know are high quality, long lasting, and help you have a better practice.</p><p>[CTA-DEFAULT]</p><h2>Why Water is important when practicing yoga</h2><p></p><p>Yoga is kind of like a full body massage. As you stretch your muscles and move your body, you release stored up toxins. That&#39;s why, just like a massage, you should drink plenty of water after (and during) your class.</p><p></p><p>This will help get the toxins out of your body and increase your energy. So bring a bottle of water to class with you, so you can stay hydrated and flush the toxins from your system.</p><p></p><h2>Use a towel to keep from slipping</h2><p></p><p>Not everyone needs this. I do. And you might too.</p><p></p><p>If you start to sweat in your yoga class, you&#39;ll want a towel to wipe it away. This will help you to keep traction on your mat and make your yoga classes easier for you.</p><p></p><p>For most people, a good sized hand towel is enough. You can wipe the sweat from your face or body and continue with your practice.</p><p></p><p>If you&#39;re a super sweater, you like hot yoga classes, or practice yoga after an intense workout, you might want a full body length towel to throw on top of your mat. This will give you an absorbent surface to practice on, and keep maximum traction while you sweat.</p><p></p><h2>How yoga blocks help your practice</h2><p></p><p>You don&#39;t need to buy yoga blocks on day one. This is an optional but handy piece of yoga equipment.</p><p></p><p><strong>Note:</strong> blocks, straps, bolsters, cushions, and even blankets are often called &quot;props&quot;. These are things you can use in your yoga practice to help with your alignment (your body in the right position)</p><p></p><p>A yoga block is a firm foam, cork or wooden block — it&#39;s about the size of a football, but rectangular.</p><p></p><p>You use them to help &quot;bring the ground closer to you&quot; when you can&#39;t bend all the way down. This way you have something to rest your weight on so you can relax into the asana (yoga pose).</p><p></p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=width:5899,height:3933/sSULrQgSQTuGJ2HU0W4I\" alt=\"Stretching with Yoga Blocks\" title=\"lunge-blocks.jpg\" width=\"5899\" height=\"3933\" /><p></p><p>If you practice yoga regularly, and you can&#39;t touch the ground in every pose you&#39;re meant to, you&#39;ll have a safer and more fun practice with a yoga block.</p><p></p><h2>When you&#39;ll want a yoga strap</h2><p></p><p>Yoga straps are great when you can&#39;t always reach your toes or the limb your supposed to grab.</p><p></p><p>For example, in Gomukhasana, the Cow Face pose, you&#39;re supposed to grab your hands behind your back. Many people can&#39;t do this. A strap gives them something to grab with both hands, so they can hold the pose easier and even crawl their fingers closer together, increasing the stretch and their range of motion.</p><p></p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=width:5587,height:3725/qQq9IPE7S4y3OYOlbk7c\" alt=\"Extending with Yoga Strap\" title=\"gomukhasana-strap.jpg\" width=\"5587\" height=\"3725\" /><p></p><p>Or in a sitting forward bend, Paschimottanasana, if you cant reach your toes. A strap can wrap around your feet and give you the hold you need to relax deeper into the stretch. </p><p></p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=width:6720,height:4480/inRHRHidTc6a6QgfFmC8\" alt=\"Stretching with Yoga Strap\" title=\"paschimottanasana-strap.jpg\" width=\"6720\" height=\"4480\" /><p></p><p>So in every yoga class, you&#39;ll want to bring your mat, a bottle of water, and a towel. If you&#39;re going to be practicing regularly, it might be a good idea to get a couple of props like a block and strap.</p><p></p><p>With this, you&#39;re all set for your first yoga class! You can <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group-classes\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group-classes\">book a Live Online Yoga Class with expert teachers here</a>.</p>"},"category":["yoga"],"utmCampaign":null,"utmMedium":null,"utmContent":null,"utmSource":null,"utmTerm":null,"utmSearchString":null,"imageHyperlink":[]},"loading":false,"blog_content":[{"type":"HTML","value":"<ul><li><div>Yoga mat (for cushion, support, and better traction)</div></li><li><div>Bottle of water (to stay hydrated and eliminate toxins)</div></li><li><div>Small towel (to wipe away sweat and help you keep traction on the mat)</div></li></ul><p></p><p>Good to have but not necessary </p><ul><li><div>Yoga block (to help with alignment in some yoga postures)</div></li><li><div>Yoga strap (a belt or long narrow piece of fabric will do, to help with alignment in some yoga postures)</div></li></ul><p></p><h2>What to look for in a good Yoga Mat</h2><p></p><p>If you have a yoga mat, definitely bring it to class. While it&#39;s not 100% necessary, it helps you to have good traction as you do poses like Warrior (so your feet don&#39;t slip around).</p><p></p>\n            <picture>\n              <source \n                type=\"image/webp\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/output=format:jpg/resize=width:5191,height:3461/IzxKO7NNT26qOYFwHRyE\" \n                alt=\"Warrior Pose 1\"\n                title=\"Warrior Pose 1\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <source \n                type=\"image/jpg\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:jpg/resize=width:5191,height:3461/IzxKO7NNT26qOYFwHRyE\"\n                alt=\"Warrior Pose 1\"\n                title=\"Warrior Pose 1\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <img \n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:jpg/resize=width:5191,height:3461/IzxKO7NNT26qOYFwHRyE\"\n                alt=\"Warrior Pose 1\"\n                title=\"Warrior Pose 1\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n          </picture>\n        <p></p><p>A good mat will also help you with your balance, and is a comfortable cushion between you and the floor.</p><p></p><p>If you don&#39;t have a mat, it&#39;s good to get one right away. You can find them for as cheap as  $20 to $30 — these are great starter mats. When you know you&#39;ll be practicing yoga for years to come, you might want to invest in a higher quality mat, like my favorite — <a target='_blank' title=\"https://jadeyoga.com/collections/yoga-mats/products/harmony-mat\" href=\"https://jadeyoga.com/collections/yoga-mats/products/harmony-mat\">Jade Yoga Mats</a>, or the favorite of many yoga teachers <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.manduka.com/products/manduka-pro-yoga-mat\" href=\"https://www.manduka.com/products/manduka-pro-yoga-mat\">Manduka Yoga Mats</a>.</p><p></p><p>We&#39;re not paid to promote either of these mats. After more than a decade of practicing yoga and teaching others, these are the mats I know are high quality, long lasting, and help you have a better practice.</p>"},{"type":"CTA","value":"[CTA-DEFAULT]"},{"type":"HTML","value":"<h2>Why Water is important when practicing yoga</h2><p></p><p>Yoga is kind of like a full body massage. As you stretch your muscles and move your body, you release stored up toxins. That&#39;s why, just like a massage, you should drink plenty of water after (and during) your class.</p><p></p><p>This will help get the toxins out of your body and increase your energy. So bring a bottle of water to class with you, so you can stay hydrated and flush the toxins from your system.</p><p></p><h2>Use a towel to keep from slipping</h2><p></p><p>Not everyone needs this. I do. And you might too.</p><p></p><p>If you start to sweat in your yoga class, you&#39;ll want a towel to wipe it away. This will help you to keep traction on your mat and make your yoga classes easier for you.</p><p></p><p>For most people, a good sized hand towel is enough. You can wipe the sweat from your face or body and continue with your practice.</p><p></p><p>If you&#39;re a super sweater, you like hot yoga classes, or practice yoga after an intense workout, you might want a full body length towel to throw on top of your mat. This will give you an absorbent surface to practice on, and keep maximum traction while you sweat.</p><p></p><h2>How yoga blocks help your practice</h2><p></p><p>You don&#39;t need to buy yoga blocks on day one. This is an optional but handy piece of yoga equipment.</p><p></p><p><strong>Note:</strong> blocks, straps, bolsters, cushions, and even blankets are often called &quot;props&quot;. These are things you can use in your yoga practice to help with your alignment (your body in the right position)</p><p></p><p>A yoga block is a firm foam, cork or wooden block — it&#39;s about the size of a football, but rectangular.</p><p></p><p>You use them to help &quot;bring the ground closer to you&quot; when you can&#39;t bend all the way down. This way you have something to rest your weight on so you can relax into the asana (yoga pose).</p><p></p>\n            <picture>\n              <source \n                type=\"image/webp\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/resize=width:5899,height:3933/sSULrQgSQTuGJ2HU0W4I\" \n                alt=\"Stretching with Yoga Blocks\"\n                title=\"Stretching with Yoga Blocks\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <source \n                type=\"image/jpg\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/resize=width:5899,height:3933/sSULrQgSQTuGJ2HU0W4I\"\n                alt=\"Stretching with Yoga Blocks\"\n                title=\"Stretching with Yoga Blocks\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <img \n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/resize=width:5899,height:3933/sSULrQgSQTuGJ2HU0W4I\"\n                alt=\"Stretching with Yoga Blocks\"\n                title=\"Stretching with Yoga Blocks\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n          </picture>\n        <p></p><p>If you practice yoga regularly, and you can&#39;t touch the ground in every pose you&#39;re meant to, you&#39;ll have a safer and more fun practice with a yoga block.</p><p></p><h2>When you&#39;ll want a yoga strap</h2><p></p><p>Yoga straps are great when you can&#39;t always reach your toes or the limb your supposed to grab.</p><p></p><p>For example, in Gomukhasana, the Cow Face pose, you&#39;re supposed to grab your hands behind your back. Many people can&#39;t do this. A strap gives them something to grab with both hands, so they can hold the pose easier and even crawl their fingers closer together, increasing the stretch and their range of motion.</p><p></p>\n            <picture>\n              <source \n                type=\"image/webp\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/resize=width:5587,height:3725/qQq9IPE7S4y3OYOlbk7c\" \n                alt=\"Extending with Yoga Strap\"\n                title=\"Extending with Yoga Strap\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <source \n                type=\"image/jpg\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/resize=width:5587,height:3725/qQq9IPE7S4y3OYOlbk7c\"\n                alt=\"Extending with Yoga Strap\"\n                title=\"Extending with Yoga Strap\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <img \n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/resize=width:5587,height:3725/qQq9IPE7S4y3OYOlbk7c\"\n                alt=\"Extending with Yoga Strap\"\n                title=\"Extending with Yoga Strap\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n          </picture>\n        <p></p><p>Or in a sitting forward bend, Paschimottanasana, if you cant reach your toes. A strap can wrap around your feet and give you the hold you need to relax deeper into the stretch. </p><p></p>\n            <picture>\n              <source \n                type=\"image/webp\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/resize=width:6720,height:4480/inRHRHidTc6a6QgfFmC8\" \n                alt=\"Stretching with Yoga Strap\"\n                title=\"Stretching with Yoga Strap\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <source \n                type=\"image/jpg\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/resize=width:6720,height:4480/inRHRHidTc6a6QgfFmC8\"\n                alt=\"Stretching with Yoga Strap\"\n                title=\"Stretching with Yoga Strap\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <img \n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/resize=width:6720,height:4480/inRHRHidTc6a6QgfFmC8\"\n                alt=\"Stretching with Yoga Strap\"\n                title=\"Stretching with Yoga Strap\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n          </picture>\n        <p></p><p>So in every yoga class, you&#39;ll want to bring your mat, a bottle of water, and a towel. If you&#39;re going to be practicing regularly, it might be a good idea to get a couple of props like a block and strap.</p><p></p><p>With this, you&#39;re all set for your first yoga class! You can <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group-classes\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group-classes\">book a Live Online Yoga Class with expert teachers here</a>.</p>"},{"type":"CTA","value":"[CTA-DEFAULT]"}],"isSlugACategory":false,"searchCategory":"what-to-bring-to-yoga-class","showPopUp":false,"popUpType":null,"showedPopup":false,"windowWidth":null,"ctaPath":"free-trial-o","redirectURL":"#","current_url":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/what-to-bring-to-yoga-class","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. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Classes – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckxrz37hsu0cj0a76mgb4594m","name":"[CTA-FREECLASS]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong> with authentic yoga teachers. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Classes – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckxrz4d5stsye0b75dtlx1w0n","name":"[CTA-TRENDS]","description":{"html":"<p>Get ahead of the next trend and practice with authentic Indian yoga teachers! Sign up today and <strong>get 2 free private yoga sessions PLUS 2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong>. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>Practice with Authentic Indian Yoga Teachers</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckxrz6nq0tqdr0c258titvagg","name":"[CTA-REVIEWS]","description":{"html":"<p>Find out what all the hype is about! <strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong> with authentic yoga teachers. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>103,478 Happy Students &amp; 12,086 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reviews</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckxrz7nzktu400b752fym6wpw","name":"[CTA-HATHA]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private hatha yoga sessions and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes </strong>(including tons of daily Hatha yoga classes). 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. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>Relieve Post Nasal Drip &amp; Clear Your Sinus Today!</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckyirvl8g25ce0c70cldmca2g","name":"[CTA-TRATAKA]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private sessions </strong>with experienced Trataka teachers. </p><p><strong>PLUS, 2 weeks of unlimited group classes </strong>(like ‘Candle Gazing Meditation) with authentic yoga teachers. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>Learn Trataka (Candle Gazing) Meditation Today!</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckyisqh482ck60b79rp1r1jcg","name":"[CTA-YIN]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions</strong>, work with an experienced yoga therapist to reduce (and even eliminate) your back pain. <strong>PLUS 2 weeks of unlimited group classes </strong>(like ‘Yoga for Back Pain’) with authentic yoga teachers. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Therapy – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>Relieve Back Pain Safely &amp; Effectively Today!</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckyitki4w2liz0b30tqpzhy4i","name":"[CTA-KRIYA]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions </strong>for Kriya Yoga, Pranayama, and Meditation <strong>and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes </strong>with authentic yoga teachers. 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This short article talks about what to bring to a yoga class and how to find your perfect yoga mat.","content":{"text":"Yoga mat (for cushion, support, and better traction)\\nBottle of water (to stay hydrated and eliminate toxins)\\nSmall towel (to wipe away sweat and help you keep traction on the mat)\\n\\nGood to have but not necessary \\nYoga block (to help with alignment in some yoga postures)\\nYoga strap (a belt or long narrow piece of fabric will do, to help with alignment in some yoga postures)\\n\\nWhat to look for in a good Yoga Mat\\n\\nIf you have a yoga mat, definitely bring it to class. While it's not 100% necessary, it helps you to have good traction as you do poses like Warrior (so your feet don't slip around).\\n\\n\\n\\nA good mat will also help you with your balance, and is a comfortable cushion between you and the floor.\\n\\nIf you don't have a mat, it's good to get one right away. You can find them for as cheap as  $20 to $30 — these are great starter mats. When you know you'll be practicing yoga for years to come, you might want to invest in a higher quality mat, like my favorite — \\nJade Yoga Mats\\n, or the favorite of many yoga teachers \\nManduka Yoga Mats\\n.\\n\\nWe're not paid to promote either of these mats. After more than a decade of practicing yoga and teaching others, these are the mats I know are high quality, long lasting, and help you have a better practice.\\n[CTA-DEFAULT]\\nWhy Water is important when practicing yoga\\n\\nYoga is kind of like a full body massage. As you stretch your muscles and move your body, you release stored up toxins. That's why, just like a massage, you should drink plenty of water after (and during) your class.\\n\\nThis will help get the toxins out of your body and increase your energy. So bring a bottle of water to class with you, so you can stay hydrated and flush the toxins from your system.\\n\\nUse a towel to keep from slipping\\n\\nNot everyone needs this. I do. And you might too.\\n\\nIf you start to sweat in your yoga class, you'll want a towel to wipe it away. This will help you to keep traction on your mat and make your yoga classes easier for you.\\n\\nFor most people, a good sized hand towel is enough. You can wipe the sweat from your face or body and continue with your practice.\\n\\nIf you're a super sweater, you like hot yoga classes, or practice yoga after an intense workout, you might want a full body length towel to throw on top of your mat. This will give you an absorbent surface to practice on, and keep maximum traction while you sweat.\\n\\nHow yoga blocks help your practice\\n\\nYou don't need to buy yoga blocks on day one. This is an optional but handy piece of yoga equipment.\\n\\nNote:\\n blocks, straps, bolsters, cushions, and even blankets are often called \"props\". These are things you can use in your yoga practice to help with your alignment (your body in the right position)\\n\\nA yoga block is a firm foam, cork or wooden block — it's about the size of a football, but rectangular.\\n\\nYou use them to help \"bring the ground closer to you\" when you can't bend all the way down. This way you have something to rest your weight on so you can relax into the asana (yoga pose).\\n\\n\\n\\nIf you practice yoga regularly, and you can't touch the ground in every pose you're meant to, you'll have a safer and more fun practice with a yoga block.\\n\\nWhen you'll want a yoga strap\\n\\nYoga straps are great when you can't always reach your toes or the limb your supposed to grab.\\n\\nFor example, in Gomukhasana, the Cow Face pose, you're supposed to grab your hands behind your back. Many people can't do this. A strap gives them something to grab with both hands, so they can hold the pose easier and even crawl their fingers closer together, increasing the stretch and their range of motion.\\n\\n\\n\\nOr in a sitting forward bend, Paschimottanasana, if you cant reach your toes. A strap can wrap around your feet and give you the hold you need to relax deeper into the stretch. \\n\\n\\n\\nSo in every yoga class, you'll want to bring your mat, a bottle of water, and a towel. If you're going to be practicing regularly, it might be a good idea to get a couple of props like a block and strap.\\n\\nWith this, you're all set for your first yoga class! You can \\nbook a Live Online Yoga Class with expert teachers here\\n.","html":"<ul><li><div>Yoga mat (for cushion, support, and better traction)</div></li><li><div>Bottle of water (to stay hydrated and eliminate toxins)</div></li><li><div>Small towel (to wipe away sweat and help you keep traction on the mat)</div></li></ul><p></p><p>Good to have but not necessary </p><ul><li><div>Yoga block (to help with alignment in some yoga postures)</div></li><li><div>Yoga strap (a belt or long narrow piece of fabric will do, to help with alignment in some yoga postures)</div></li></ul><p></p><h2>What to look for in a good Yoga Mat</h2><p></p><p>If you have a yoga mat, definitely bring it to class. While it&#39;s not 100% necessary, it helps you to have good traction as you do poses like Warrior (so your feet don&#39;t slip around).</p><p></p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:jpg/resize=width:5191,height:3461/IzxKO7NNT26qOYFwHRyE\" alt=\"Warrior Pose 1\" title=\"warrior-II.jpg\" width=\"5191\" height=\"3461\" /><p></p><p>A good mat will also help you with your balance, and is a comfortable cushion between you and the floor.</p><p></p><p>If you don&#39;t have a mat, it&#39;s good to get one right away. You can find them for as cheap as  $20 to $30 — these are great starter mats. When you know you&#39;ll be practicing yoga for years to come, you might want to invest in a higher quality mat, like my favorite — <a target='_blank' title=\"https://jadeyoga.com/collections/yoga-mats/products/harmony-mat\" href=\"https://jadeyoga.com/collections/yoga-mats/products/harmony-mat\">Jade Yoga Mats</a>, or the favorite of many yoga teachers <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.manduka.com/products/manduka-pro-yoga-mat\" href=\"https://www.manduka.com/products/manduka-pro-yoga-mat\">Manduka Yoga Mats</a>.</p><p></p><p>We&#39;re not paid to promote either of these mats. After more than a decade of practicing yoga and teaching others, these are the mats I know are high quality, long lasting, and help you have a better practice.</p><p>[CTA-DEFAULT]</p><h2>Why Water is important when practicing yoga</h2><p></p><p>Yoga is kind of like a full body massage. As you stretch your muscles and move your body, you release stored up toxins. That&#39;s why, just like a massage, you should drink plenty of water after (and during) your class.</p><p></p><p>This will help get the toxins out of your body and increase your energy. So bring a bottle of water to class with you, so you can stay hydrated and flush the toxins from your system.</p><p></p><h2>Use a towel to keep from slipping</h2><p></p><p>Not everyone needs this. I do. And you might too.</p><p></p><p>If you start to sweat in your yoga class, you&#39;ll want a towel to wipe it away. This will help you to keep traction on your mat and make your yoga classes easier for you.</p><p></p><p>For most people, a good sized hand towel is enough. You can wipe the sweat from your face or body and continue with your practice.</p><p></p><p>If you&#39;re a super sweater, you like hot yoga classes, or practice yoga after an intense workout, you might want a full body length towel to throw on top of your mat. This will give you an absorbent surface to practice on, and keep maximum traction while you sweat.</p><p></p><h2>How yoga blocks help your practice</h2><p></p><p>You don&#39;t need to buy yoga blocks on day one. This is an optional but handy piece of yoga equipment.</p><p></p><p><strong>Note:</strong> blocks, straps, bolsters, cushions, and even blankets are often called &quot;props&quot;. These are things you can use in your yoga practice to help with your alignment (your body in the right position)</p><p></p><p>A yoga block is a firm foam, cork or wooden block — it&#39;s about the size of a football, but rectangular.</p><p></p><p>You use them to help &quot;bring the ground closer to you&quot; when you can&#39;t bend all the way down. This way you have something to rest your weight on so you can relax into the asana (yoga pose).</p><p></p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=width:5899,height:3933/sSULrQgSQTuGJ2HU0W4I\" alt=\"Stretching with Yoga Blocks\" title=\"lunge-blocks.jpg\" width=\"5899\" height=\"3933\" /><p></p><p>If you practice yoga regularly, and you can&#39;t touch the ground in every pose you&#39;re meant to, you&#39;ll have a safer and more fun practice with a yoga block.</p><p></p><h2>When you&#39;ll want a yoga strap</h2><p></p><p>Yoga straps are great when you can&#39;t always reach your toes or the limb your supposed to grab.</p><p></p><p>For example, in Gomukhasana, the Cow Face pose, you&#39;re supposed to grab your hands behind your back. Many people can&#39;t do this. A strap gives them something to grab with both hands, so they can hold the pose easier and even crawl their fingers closer together, increasing the stretch and their range of motion.</p><p></p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=width:5587,height:3725/qQq9IPE7S4y3OYOlbk7c\" alt=\"Extending with Yoga Strap\" title=\"gomukhasana-strap.jpg\" width=\"5587\" height=\"3725\" /><p></p><p>Or in a sitting forward bend, Paschimottanasana, if you cant reach your toes. A strap can wrap around your feet and give you the hold you need to relax deeper into the stretch. </p><p></p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=width:6720,height:4480/inRHRHidTc6a6QgfFmC8\" alt=\"Stretching with Yoga Strap\" title=\"paschimottanasana-strap.jpg\" width=\"6720\" height=\"4480\" /><p></p><p>So in every yoga class, you&#39;ll want to bring your mat, a bottle of water, and a towel. If you&#39;re going to be practicing regularly, it might be a good idea to get a couple of props like a block and strap.</p><p></p><p>With this, you&#39;re all set for your first yoga class! You can <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group-classes\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group-classes\">book a Live Online Yoga Class with expert teachers here</a>.</p>"},"category":["yoga"],"utmCampaign":null,"utmMedium":null,"utmContent":null,"utmSource":null,"utmTerm":null,"utmSearchString":null,"imageHyperlink":[]},"recommendations_group_class":null}