Yoga is for everyone. It can be practiced anywhere, anytime and basically however you want. But because this practice is so flexible (no pun intended!) not everyone does the necessary research before getting started.
11 Common Yoga Mistakes You’re Making—And How to Fix Them
Bestyogashop goal is to guide you throughout your yoga journey, helping you grow in strength, flexibility and mindfulness while preventing you from facing injury or discouragement. In this week’s blog we offer tips to help you avoid 11 yoga common mistakes. Are you ready to get the most out of your yoga practice?
MISTAKE #1: COMPARING YOURSELF TO YOUR NEIGHBOR
One of the most effective ways to get injured or discouraged is looking at your neighbor and trying to mirror their pose or stretch. All of us have different body types and skill sets. The person on the mat next to you might be a former ballerina or athlete; they might have years of yoga experience under their belts; or they might be naturally flexible. Yoga is a personal journey, so there’s no reason you should be comparing yourself to anyone else.
Pro-Tip: When you find yourself trying to bend into a pose that your neighbor can do, take a moment to close your eyes, focus on your breathing and center yourself again. Remember, yoga is not about measuring your level of performance. It is about harnessing the energy to tame the mind and shedding our negative behavior and patterns.
MISTAKE #2: COMPARING YOUR BODY TO THE WAY IT WAS 20 YEARS AGO, 2 WEEKS AGO, OR EVEN YESTERDAY
Remember when you were eight years old? You could practically do a cartwheel and wheel pose in your sleep. Your body moved where you wanted it to without even thinking about it. But that was when you were younger – before you sat in a desk for hours straight, or had a child of your own, experienced an injury or had a life full of stress, bills and interpersonal relationships. We carry stress and trauma deep within the tissues of the body. Limiting our movement and our mind.
Pro-Tip: Take a moment before class to meditate on the phrase: “Here I am. This is where I’m at with my body and strength today.” Always try to meet yourself where you are at – in the now.
MISTAKE #3: PUSHING YOUR BODY TO DO TOO MUCH
Yoga beginners often mistakenly think that it will be a piece of cake. Maybe they’ve been exercising or playing sports for years. Although certain yoga poses seem simple, it’s best to listen carefully to your teacher’s instructions and ease into the practice without looking for an edge. Going slow and moving to the point of sensation as a newbie. It’s easy to fall prey to questions like “Why can’t I touch my toes yet?” or “Why is this not getting any easier?” The beauty of yoga is that it benefits you on many levels. Maybe you can’t touch your toes yet, but instead you’ve learned to modify to a better plank or breathe more effectively.
Pro-Tip: Take the most modified pose you can do correctly, in order to create strength and proper alignment rather than creating negative habits. Engage as many muscles by hugging the muscles to the bone throughout the entire practice. Instead of going deep, go strong.
MISTAKE #4: PRACTICING INCONSISTENTLY
You know that feeling right after you finish a yoga class? You feel open, relaxed and focused – you can’t wait to come back for another one. But all of us lead busy lives and eventually our work, social life and family responsibilities begin to interfere. When you finally do return to class, you’ve lost what you thought you had gained. Don’t worry!! The mat is always there for you to build your strength and flexibility. The key is being ready. When you are ready to get consistent, your body will gradually open up, strengthen and move further into the poses. It just takes time and patience.
Pro-Tip: Commit to practicing yoga twice a week, even if that occasionally means rolling the mat out in your own basement and sitting in a seated position for meditation. Build a relationship with your mat. It can quickly become a good friend, guide and safe zone.
MISTAKE #5: WEARING INAPPROPRIATE CLOTHING
It can certainly take some trial and error to find the yoga clothing that works best for your body and the type of yoga class you want to attend. If your clothes are too tight, restrictive, scratchy, or sweaty, you’ll be distracted from focusing on your breath and the yoga poses.
Pro-Tip: Wear clothes you can easily move around in and that are made with materials that feel good on your skin. For hot yoga, you’ll want moisture-wicking, minimal clothes. For vinyasa and ashtanga classes you will want compression and support. For gentle classes, loose fitting and comfy clothes are the way to go. If you need a little help deciding how to dress for class, you can always ask the studio’s front desk staff for recommendations.
MISTAKE #6: USING A CHEAP MAT
When first starting yoga, there’s nothing wrong with purchasing an inexpensive beginner’s mat. While no one truly needs the Cadillac of yoga mats, clinging on to a cheap mat can hold you back as you grow in your practice because they can slip, bunch up, and not stay flat. Mat issues like these can distract you, prevent your fullest poses, and even cause injury. As you shop for a yoga mat, choose one that provides enough cushioning for your knees and wrists and has good grip to prevent slips.
Pro-Tip: Read Here-How to Choose Your Perfect YOGA Mat
MISTAKE #7: HOLDING YOUR BREATH
We often see students failing to let their breath lead them through the sequences or even holding it completely, especially during the more advanced poses. Forgetting to breathe consistently is a negative habit that causes anxiety and stress, exactly the opposite effect we seek in yoga.
Pro-Tip: Focus on your slow, deep inhales and exhales throughout the whole yoga class.
MISTAKE #8: TAKING CLASSES THAT ARE TOO ADVANCED
If you’re a beginner to yoga, you really should look into trying a few slow or gentle flow classes first. These offer the opportunity to learn the poses, discover yogic breath and become comfortable within the practice. However, even the more advanced students would benefit from remembering the positive effects of slowing it down once in a while.
Pro-Tip: Mix a few slow, gentle or restorative classes into your yoga routine.
MISTAKE #9: NOT USING A TOWELIN HOT YOGA
If you go to a hot yoga class, you need to be prepared to sweat. Most yoga mats get super slippery when moist, so bring a towel to prevent slippage from distracting you and making your practice miserable. While you can purchase a dedicated yoga mat towel, any towel you have handy at home will work. If you are prone to excessive sweating then bring more than one!
Pro-Tip: Get your Towel Here in Best Price
MISTAKE #10: FAILING TO DISCLOSE MEDICAL/PHYSICAL CONDITIONS
When you visit many Yoga Classes, you’ll hear your teacher ask if there are any injuries or medical conditions, he or she should be aware of. Students often feel embarrassed or too shy to speak up here. Your teachers want to know these issues so they can craft a restorative practice that won’t endanger your body.
Pro-Tip: Yoga is therapeutic. An experienced, intelligent teacher will help you overcome these injuries. Speak up!
MISTAKE #11: NOT ASKING FOR HELP
If you are struggling or have difficulty with a pose, ask the teacher for advice or a variation. Not everyone’s body is the same, so not every pose will be right for your specific anatomy. In addition, if the teacher says something confusing or unclear, there’s no shame in asking them after class to explain.
Pro-Tip: There’s no shame in asking teachers after class to explain.
Bestyogashop Advice: Don’t worry about fixing many mistakes at once—just bookmark this list and come back to it now and again to help refine your practice. Most of all, do not judge yourself if you’ve made these mistakes! Instead, consider them your initiation into the yoga “tribe” and work on becoming more aware for next time.
