Yoga is a 5000-year old practice which is done by a lot of people. It continues to evolve through the years to meet the needs of every individual. Nowadays, there are different forms of Yoga. Though most styles have common roots, each has its own unique features.
Understanding even basic yoga principles is not easy. Study of yoga is a very vast subject and it may take years for a person to perfect it. Yogis are the persons who devote their entire life to practice of yoga. Yogis even in their eighties can surprise you with their flexibility to perform yoga asanas, firm posture and glowing texture of their skin.
Fortunately, practicing the principles of yoga in its simplified form itself can give results beyond your wildest dreams. Basics of yoga are really simple. Yoga is a practical discipline to be followed. A beginner to yoga should not start with rigorous exercises or difficult poses. You can start slowly and then progress at your own pace. Set your own goals after you feel positive effects of yoga in your life. Even following a few simple asanas and pranayama can help you to save thousands on your doctor's bill.
Most of the people have a doubt as to the age when the study of yoga may begin. There is no age limit for practice of yoga. Children from the age of 3 years to yogis up to 100 years of age can practice yoga. All asanas of yoga and pranayama are perfectly safe for people in perfect health with no known medical problems. If you have a medical problem, seek guidance of your doctor before starting yoga. A yoga expert can also guide you to asanas which may be especially suitable for you and also asanas which should be avoided.
In case, you are keen to become a yogi, you may have to devote your life for yoga practice under supervision of a yoga guru. But what we are searching here is a practical way to improve our day-to-day living. Why to wait indefinitely for starting yoga? You can integrate yoga with your life right away. Start with me right now!
There is lot of commercialisation of yoga. Therefore, it becomes very difficult for a beginner to decide on how to start yoga without spending money. There are various types of yoga being taught by different people. For beginners there is a need to focus on simple asanas. Yoga in its simplified form can be practiced by anybody with 30 minutes to one hour to spare.
Practicing of basic yoga does not require any elaborate planning, no equipment is required. You have to be regular in yoga workouts to get optimum benefits.
For advanced yoga techniques and spiritual progress, it would be extremely difficult and sometimes harmful to proceed without the constant guidance of a Guru.