Leaving Competition Behind with Yoga Basics
Posted on June 1, 2007 - Filed Under Just Breathe, Yoga |
Let’s face it! Almost everything we do in life involves competing against others and striving to be the best. This competitive attitude can obviously help us succeed in places like our careers and sports, but competition even reaches such simple activities such as rushing ahead of someone in the grocery store line or racing ahead of the driver in the lane next to us so we can be in front on the exit ramp. Even if we aren’t the ones intentionally competing, we often find ourselves having to participate in this often rude activity to accomplish our daily tasks.
Because the daily practice of competition has become the norm, it can be very difficult for yoga practitioners, especially beginners, to leave their competitive attitudes outside the yoga studio. Oddly enough, the person you are often competing with at the yoga studio is yourself. Just because you were able to fully release into pigeon pose during your last yoga session does not always mean your body is able to automatically reach that position during your next practice. Being in tune with your body and loving yourself enough to reach your edge without overdoing it, is one of the most important fundamentals to yoga.
Learning some of these yoga fundamentals can help any yoga student begin to appreciate where they are in their yoga practice and how to continue growing in that practice without competition. Eventually, these basics will start to seep into your everyday life outside of the yoga studio and can calm that internal competition streak we have with others and ourselves.
I have compiled some of the yoga basics that every yogi or yogini should practice every yoga session:
- Breathing is by far one of the most important basics of yoga. When doing yoga exercises you should be taking deep, rhythmic breaths in and out. Inhales should generally last as long as your exhales.
- Yoga exercises should be done in a controlled manner. Being focused on the exercise at hand will ensure you do not get injured.
- Sit quietly for a few moments before all yoga exercises to help center your mind and begin focusing on the present.
- Be mindful of your posture at all times. When sitting, your upper body (spine) should be straight and tall, yet relaxed. When standing, your whole body should be straight and tall with your shoulders rolled slightly back and gently pulled down away from your ears. Your core (stomach) should also be engaged to provide support for your back.
- Remember, yoga takes time to learn, and you may need to do a few sessions before you become accustomed to the motion and position of the exercises.
- Always enjoy your time to relax and find your daily peace.
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First comment! Yesss… I win! Oh. Wait. Right, the competition thing. I actually did go through a brief yoga phase in the heady days of my youth, but it was for a gym credit. These seem like helpful tips.
Namasté!