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Wednesday, April 2, 2014

How to start a yoga practice at home

At home Yoga practice for Beginners 

HOW TO START PRACTICING YOGA AT HOME

Interval Yoga friend and yoga practitioner Vesela Savova has an excellent new post on How to get started on a yoga journey at home. She offers tips and suggestions on how to improve and further one's practice just by using videos at home. Her journey into yoga is very inspiring and can be a great motivation for both new and seasoned practitioners.
HERE IS A LINK TO HER POST
http://cherryblueberry.com/2014/04/02/advance-with-your-yoga-practice-at-home/
I would also suggest to check out my complete beginners classes and make sure to put effort into learning alignment. Alignment can seem boring and frustrating at first but think of it as laying the foundation for a great yoga practice down the line that will perfect your practice, shape and strengthen you body and mind and and help avoid injury as you advance. 

COMPLETE BEGINNERS YOGA CLASS



A power yoga class for beginners 



NAMASTE

32 comments:

  1. Thanks Ali, I think, for me anyway, that being at an intermediate/advanced level of yoga is ALL about the foundation. I had a yoga teacher named Gabriel Hall, who was a "torture you until you get it right" (Iyengar) teacher. Also, we always had strength training in every class...always (sometimes with tears). We repeated, and repeated, the most basic of poses...even just sitting in a cross legged position was drilled into us (spine straight. neck long, chin slightly tucked, hands in namaste, palms lightly touching, etc)...There are so many finite points that one needs to practice, over and over, until these postures become something your body does naturally. I see so many people who want to skip right to "dog and pony postures" and, I feel bad for them because it is impossible to experience the beauty, and depth of yoga without those foundational postures. It's hard to explain to someone who hasn't experienced the feeling of holding a posture so perfectly that you feel almost weightless...as if your body is literally in stasis and may, at any moment float...mountain pose is a beautiful example...without the foundational understanding, you are just standing up and holding still...With the foundational practice, your whole body is working in tandem...thighs drawing inward toward the back of the room, toes touching and heals pulling toward each other prompting the calves to fire and position perfectly...hands at your side, shoulders relaxed...and so on...There are probably twenty more things that go on this list just for this one simple pose. It takes dedication to learn the foundations...but, it is so worth it...It is what make you become one with yoga. If one does not understand what is being explained here then experiencing yoga fully is not possible....it's just exercising ...I would imagine it's also frustrating, as it is doubtful that balancing and holding the advanced poses will ever be fully realized to the point that you are entirely in the moment...time standing still...with the light of awareness shining within you. It probably sounds like this narrative is an exaggeration...if anything, it's falls short...

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    1. Laura you are so right. thats what mountain pose is!!! And actually i find that all this attention to detail is so that one day you let it all go and it becomes this weightless intuitive flow and a place of absolute effortlessness. that can only happen after constant practice with attention to detail and subtleties. an oh yeah it is hard to explain that one must practice boring chair before the fancy balances. its a balance between discipline and fun... <3

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    2. Just wonderful - using the pyramid analogy of the strong wide base and then moving slowly to the apex with yoga practice.

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  2. Hi Ali and Laura-
    my students are primarily older and so enjoy a gentle practice in which I encourage building the poses from a firm base and rising with the core/trunk in dynamic tension. I encourage them to find length in the spine and ground themselves into the mat. I agree, when you add the breath to this (and root and naval lock) , and finally, after an interesting warrior series and gentle mat practice, a great shavasana makes for a successful practice for all. But I don't know what I would do without Ali to provide excitement for my own practice and lead me to be playful and brave with my own time. I spend a lot of time with Ali on the mat because I give my students what they need but then she gives me what I need, what no on else will do. Namaste, Laura and Ali. Thank you both for all you do.

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    1. Cassiopeia Voyagers it is so sweet to read your words. When you are serving others its so important to also take care of yourself. I am very honored to be of help. Keep on serving and growing. Love and Blessings <3

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  3. What a lovely thing Cassiopeia Voyagers. I have a number of older friends who practice yoga with a special teacher like you...someone who helps them grow and build strength...They love it! I am right there with you on the salvation of Ali and her beautiful, very fun classes!!! They save me in so many ways. I love being able to grow with her...I am thankful to have the training and skills to be able to do all of the twisty, funky poses for fun. I actually, after having come this far with Ali, prefer a home practice...the solitary movement and breathe is like a beautiful meditation (even upside down and laughing!...laughing being the best meditation of all)...love and a big sun salute to you CV!!! xoxo, L

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  4. Thanks for the nice post.You will get in the best shape of your life mind, Pranashama Yoga Institute and go home feeling like a new person, with clarity of vision, peace of mind, strong, balanced and flexible: Ready to take on the world! Thanks all.

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  5. Hi Ali,

    Thank you doesn't seem to cut it but thank you! I came across your youtube channel a few weeks ago + have been coming to my mat more and more. There's so much I love about your teaching + yoga style but my favorite is I can do it wherever I am even in my mom's hospital room.

    Being cooped up can suck the life out of you but I keep you + my mat with me and it helps replenish my body +soul + hope. My mom's too. She gets a kick out of watching me practice + when she's stronger I hope she'll be yoga-ing beside me.

    Namaste
    Emily

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  6. Home Yoga works best for anyone who finds himself always short of time.

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  7. Hi Ali, I am really glad to have come across your videos and have been practicing it daily but I am still no good in the L-handstand in your videos. How do you recommend I work myself into it. Thanks

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  8. That is really impressive. How long did it take you to be able to do that? I really think I should do yoga now. It looks like it gets you in great shape and makes you very flexible.
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  9. I was just wondering what your favorite yoga mat is? I noticed yours is very thin, which I like, but I have had issues with slipping on all the thin mats I have tried. Right now I have 'The Mat" and I never slip but it is very thick. Any suggestions?

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  10. Thanks for the useful tips!... People who do not have the time to take the training can practice at home. It works best for anyone who finds himself always short of time.. Thanks for sharing with us.
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  11. This is amazing post for all those busy peoples who have a very tight schedule and have no time to go and attend Yoga Classes. But there are many yoga poses which will be done under experienced instructors otherwise you will suffer with injury. Some normal method you can learn and do at home but for better and useful results i recommend to join Yoga Classes.

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  12. Hi Ali, Ive been practicing yoga for a year now from your youtube cannel and I love the classes/programs. But I am pregnant and I was reading that Im not supposed not do yoga positions when lying on your back...and just wondering if you recomend of having a program / link / blog with programs for pregnant? Namaste - Nina :)

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  14. Hey thanks a lot for sharing this useful post. I am suffering from Back Problems and one of my friends suggested me to use online yoga videos to improve my health. So I was just searching for tips how to start a yoga practice at home. Your post will help me a lot!!

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