The first yoga class for a beginner can be overwhelming in terms of the large number of poses that can be performed. However, the various yoga poses, techniques and specifics are taught over time, and you will start by getting familiar with a simple yoga pose. The benefits that result from the practice of these poses are many, from enhanced wellbeing and increased mobility to stress management and an increased awareness of your inner being. Yoga gives great results when practiced regularly, particularly if it results in body and mind harmony.

Another name for the yoga poses is asanas, and each of them includes both a mental and physical component. Asanas address almost all the parts of the body, and usually the instructor will indicate the most intense point of physical stress. For further clarification consider the fact that, depending on the yoga variant practiced, the asanas can differ a lot too, given the fact that some yoga schools have created their own specific postures.

Besides the physical capacity to perform yoga poses, one also needs to develop balance and an ability to concentrate, since physicality is just one side of the practice, and is completed by the spiritual dimension. Tension release, breathing techniques as well as the ability to ignore the difficulty of a pose improve the chances of success. Once you have mastered a yoga pose, it is important to learn to maintain it for a specific period of time.

Instructions for the execution of various yoga poses are available in books, e-guides, on internet sites and magazines. However, the practice of yoga poses without professional guidance and help could turn into a threat to one’s physical and spiritual health and could result in injuries. Therefore, do not start yoga practice by word of mouth, or following directions in books, on the internet or through videos. Beginners should remain under the direct guidance of a trainer, with the understanding that the beginner stage can often extend way beyond a year of practice. The complexity of the yoga poses will increase with every advance you make on the way, but progress is usually slow as one learns to push the limits of body and mind.