Set
Yourself Up For Success
Tips for Making Your Yoga Practice
More Rewarding
By: Victor Dubin
Arrival
Coming to class on time is important. Coming to class on time
means actually being present and ready to practice yoga when
the class starts. Simply having your mat set up in advance and
then wandering into class several minutes late does not count
as being on time. Many times what is taught at the beginning
of class is crucial to your understanding of what comes later.
When you come in late you not only undermine your own practice,
but also disturb the focus and concentration of the other students
and your teacher. If there is a time conflict that cannot be
rectified, then notify your instructor in advance so that s/he
is at least aware of your circumstances. Most teachers are very
understanding, if you are forthcoming and respectful.
Of course, there are occasional circumstances that thwart your
intentions of coming to class on time. In such circumstances
be mindful of your actions and the way that others are affected
by them. Come in to class as quietly and unobtrusively as you
can. However, if this is something that happens to you frequently
and not just once or twice per year, then evaluate whether or
not such circumstances are really beyond your control. Set yourself
up for success. Be on time so that you are really ready to participate
in your own growth.
Communication
It is in your best interest to communicate well with your instructor(s).
First, make sure this communication is made at appropriate times,
when your instructor can best focus on your needs. Several minutes
before and after class are the best times to address general
concerns or questions, and to notify your instructor of any
physical limitations (including injuries) or special needs with
which you think s/he should be aware. If you have a need for
assistance in a particular pose, make that need known. While
many yoga instructors are well qualified to teach yoga, very
few are trained to read minds. If directions are unclear to
you during class, let your teacher(s) know. Instructors are
there to teach. Make them do their jobs. Set yourself up for
success by making your individual needs known and by insuring
that all directions are clear to you.
Clothing
Wear clothing that is comfortable for you to move in. If the
clothing you are wearing is restricting, it not only hinders
your practice physically, but also allows your mind to use your
clothing as an excuse for not staying focused, or not growing
to your potential. Your experience in yoga classes will be so
much more rewarding if you set yourself up for success, rather
than creating convenient ways out of challenging situations.
If you are interested in the feed back of your instructor(s),
then you should wear clothing that allows her/him to see the
alignment of your body. When you wear baggy clothing it makes
it much more difficult for the instructor to make reasoned analyses
of the way that your body is moving. Form fitting clothing not
only allows instructors to give you feed- back and make adjustments,
but also allows you to move more freely. Set yourself up for
success. Wear clothing that allows you to move freely and your
instructor(s) to interact with you more easily.
Eating and Drinking
If you need to eat before yoga class, then do so at least 1½
hours prior to the class starting time. Just as with other forms
of exercise, eating immediately before yoga class is not recommended.
Not only can eating so close to class time cause indigestion,
it also does not allow your body to focus its energy. After
you eat, your body needs time to digest the food you've eaten
and will have a harder time committing energy to other tasks.
Furthermore, feeling and tasting your food while doing yoga
can be a severe distraction for your mind.
Similarly, drinking liquids should be done well in advance of
class. If you are thirsty prior to class, then drink only small
sips of water until your thirst is quenched. On especially hot
days (of which there are few in Santa Cruz) feel free to drink
a little more as needed. During classes, you should minimize
your drinking. When you do need to drink, take only small sips.
Again, set your self up for success!
Cell Phones
Cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices, aside from
those prescribed by physicians, are a distraction during yoga
class. When rings go off during class there is a decided lack
of calm in the room. Some people are disturbed by the embarrassment
at the thought that the phone is theirs and everyone else is
annoyed that someone could be so inconsiderate. Turn off your
phone, not just your ringer, when coming to yoga class, or better
yet leave your cell phone or pager outside of class, and give
yourself some peace of mind. On the occasion that a cell does
ring, if it is yours, then get over the social stigma, get up,
and turn it off. If it is someone else's phone, have some compassion
and laugh it off. Set yourself up for success. Don't allow phones
and pagers to have so much power over your experience.
Departure
Staying through the end of class is also important. Shavasana,
and many times the postures leading up to it, give you an opportunity
to cool down and integrate the rest of the work that you've
done in the class. If you have trouble relaxing, then that is
the best reason to do Shavasana. Again, if you have some type
of time conflict, then notify your instructor in advance. If
your teacher knows that you will be leaving early s/he may recommend
a change in the routine of postures so that you can properly
cool down. Set yourself up for success by preparing to experience
the entirety of each yoga class that you take.
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