How to Make Your Yoga Practice More Comfortable

How to Make Your Yoga Practice More Comfortable : Whether you are new to yoga, or you have been practicing it for a while and it still feels uncomfortable, we have some tips that will help you feel more comfortable during your practice.

While yoga is not a high-maintenance activity, the right attire, some helpful equipment and the right mindset can make the difference between a peaceful and rewording practice, and an uncomfortable experience where you feel like you just don’t get it.

Wear a proper attire

First of all, yoga is not like other types of physical activities, so your basic workout clothes might not be the best choice for your yoga practice. To feel comfortable even in the most challenging poses, we advise you to opt for tight, stretchy clothes. A pair of leggings and a tight top or a sports bra are generally the best attire for yoga. Loser clothes can also work, but the extra fabric can bother you during some poses.

As far as the shoes go, yoga is usually practiced barefoot. If you are not comfortable barefoot, you can wear socks, as long as you wear special yoga socks with non-slip properties. Socks are also a great way to protect your feet from bacteria, when you practice yoga at the studio or in a public place.

To keep your hair out of the way during your practice, we also recommend that you buy some yoga headbands. There are countless models to choose from, and they all do a great job keeping rebel hair in place.

Invest in the right yoga equipment

Many beginners who do yoga at home, practice it on a carpet or on a blanket. However, both the carpet and the blanket can be very slippery, they don’t properly absorb the hardness of the floor, not to mention the fact that it isn’t very hygienic to have your sweaty skin in direct contact with the carpet or a blanket.

As such, it is essential to opt for a yoga mat, one made of quality materials, which will offer a good support and which can be cleaned with ease. Aside from the mat, there are also some pieces of equipment which can make certain poses easier for beginners.

For example, yoga blocks can provide support in poses where you are having a tough time reaching the floor. Stretch bands can also be very helpful, not only for actual stretching, but for providing length in poses where you can reach certain parts of your body. To alleviate sore muscles after intense classes, you can also consider a foam roller.

Build the right mindset

As a beginner, yoga can be very intimidating, but it is essential to understand that nobody was born with the ability to behave like a human pretzel. It takes years and a lot of hard work to be able to achieve a high degree of flexibility. But yoga isn’t a contest. You are not even competing with yourself. The goal is to be at peace with yourself, and you will achieve this slowly by improving your health, by having better control over your body and by learning to accept yourself.

So, don’t worry if you are not as flexible as other people in your class. Don’t worry if it takes a long time to learn how to empty your mind while trying to meditate. Don’t worry if your breathing is too loud or if you don’t look very graceful in certain poses. Yoga is a journey, and each person has their own rhythm and their own goals. Accepting yourself for who you are now, is the first step towards building a better you.

So, the next time you go to a yoga class, remember to bring the right mindset with you. Be confident and be open to learning new things, even if this means that you will have to embrace the occasional failure.