Let go of the thoughts in your head about being perfect when it comes to yoga poses. Let go of not being perfect when it comes to how you breathe through those poses. It takes time to master the basics. Be patient and kind with yourself, but also give it 100% to do it correctly. You don’t want to develop bad habits that hinder the value of yoga or bad habits that could increase the risk of an injury.
I will be the first to admit that I take extra breaths during yoga inversions. I try to sneak them, but I am sure many others do this too. The goals and practices of yoga though encourage you to do your best as you learn the basic elements. One of the common mistakes though is taking on too much too fast. You can’t do well with the intermediate or advanced yoga poses until you learn the basics. This is because the advanced moves and poses build on them.
Rather than focusing on perfection with yoga, practice being mindful and present when you take part in it. Get rid of thoughts in your mind that take your focus off of what you are doing at that time. Work hard to learn the basic elements and do your best to breathe through them correctly. Don’t be too hard on yourself when you get started, you will get better and better. You will discover your core gets stronger and your mobility improves. With better flexibility, you are less likely to experience an injury.
Yoga benefits aren’t just for the body. It helps reduce stress and improves focus. I sleep better now that I regularly engage in yoga than I did before. I fall asleep faster and wake up refreshed. Don’t give up on yoga because it is a challenge, hold yourself accountable. Strive to engage in it several times a week and do your best. You don’t have to be perfect to reap the physical and mental rewards, you just have to give it your all!
