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Yoga is a favorite workout for many, especially during these times of quarantine. Here are some tips to get the most out of your practice.

Yoga is a somewhat intuitive activity. As long as you don’t try a crazy position on your first go, you’ll likely feel relaxed and stretched after a single practice. With enough practices, yoga pushes your body and mind to new limits, making you more flexible and much more calm. Still, some people have more natural talent than others.

Yoga is one of the few exercises that’s less about the physical side of things and more about the spiritual. Even if yoga is trendy and almost everyone has tried it at least once, there’s much more to it than what the majority of people let on.

Here are 5 tips that can help you make the most of your yoga practices.

Focus on the spiritual

While most people who practice yoga treat it as just another workout, there’s a whole spiritual dimension to it. Focusing on your breathing and honing in on your meditation skills while practicing yoga will likely help you be better and obtain results that seep into other areas of your life.

Be consistent

Yoga can be practiced just about anywhere and with anyone. What matters is that you’re consistent with it. Try practicing a couple of times a week in order to reap the benefits that most people tout whenever they’re talking about the perks of yoga. When you’re not part of a class and don’t have a teacher orienting you, practicing yoga on your own can prove to be a more introspective experience, eliminating some of the pressure that can occur in a classroom setting. Start small, with simple positions, and you’ll see your growth in no time.

Try different styles and teachers

There’s a lot of yoga styles and an unending amount of teachers and YouTubers who make great yoga content. Experiment with different styles and options, noting on how your mind and body feel afterwards. Keep an open mind and try to incorporate the different aspects that you’ve learned and enjoyed into your yoga routines. Even if you find a style or a teacher that you love, don’t stop yourself from trying other things.

Take it slow

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Try to avoid focusing on sweating, how many calories you’re burning and how your body looks after class. While yoga is a great workout routine, the mental balance and peace it provides is the main reason why it has been so successful. Take it slow, leaning in to each position and focusing on your posture. After you’re done, take your time, easing your body out of that mentality.

Focus on your feelings

Once you start practicing yoga with some regularity, it can be easy to forget to check in with your body and the way in which you’re feeling, simply going from one pose to another. When practicing, make sure you’re actively checking in with your feelings and monitoring your breath work.

5 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Yoga Practice