Yoga is one of the best forms of exercise you can practice for your body. Not only are you stretching your muscles, but you’re also working on strengthening them while using your own body weight. Additionally, yoga is one of the best ways to clarify your mental health. The calmness and practice of yoga not only benefit you physically, but also significantly help you through major life transitions along with decreasing feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, taking steps to prepare and introduce healthy habits into your exercise routine can make a good workout turn into a great workout.
Stretch
Stretching before you begin your yoga class is vital for preventing injuries or tension throughout your body. Taking the time to get to know your strengths and weaknesses is crucial when working out. Although yoga is a stretch-dominated form of fitness, it’s still important to prepare yourself and your body before your class starts.
Try getting into the routine of doing arm, leg, and back stretches before your class begins. Not only does stretching get your body ready for activity, but it also helps circulate blood flow to the muscles as well. You may even notice that your overall performance during yoga may be better after warming up, as stretching before class can improve your overall range of motion and ability to hold positions better.
Drink Enough Fluids
Making sure to stay hydrated is extremely important while doing yoga, or any workout for that matter. Especially if you’re participating in a special class such as hot yoga, where temperatures are raised to increase sweating, burn calories, and more benefits. An important tip to remember is to maintain your hydration throughout the day, versus drinking a ton of water right before your class begins. This practice will significantly sustain your hydration levels during yoga.
There are many different ways you can keep track of your hydration levels throughout the day. For example, there are many motivational water bottles on the market that encourage you to drink enough water. Not only are you able to see the amount of water you’re consuming, but you can also track it by time as well.
Contacts
If you’re someone who normally wears eyeglasses, consider switching to contact lenses when going to your next yoga class. This way, you don’t have to worry about your glasses sliding off of your face or constantly readjusting them as you’re moving around.
Whether or not it’s your first time wearing contacts, make sure you take all of the proper steps to ensure they’re both comfortable and functional for you during class time. Investing in a contact
solution, along with a contact case to keep them safe when they’re not in your eyes is a great way to stay organized and prepared.
Nutrition
Making sure you have a nutritious snack before you begin yoga can make a huge difference while you’re carrying out the class. Oftentimes, eating a full or heavy meal before working out can make you more tired or even worse, irritate your insides. Opting for a healthy snack, such as a granola bar or smoothie, can keep your hunger under control while also supplying you with all of the proper nutrients and energy you need.
Eating something healthy beforehand ensures sustained energy while you’re participating in any activity. Relying on sugary drinks or snacks will only make you feel more fatigued and sluggish over time. If you do find yourself needing something sweet or flavorful, fruit or yogurt can help combat your sweet tooth while also benefiting your health.
Overall, yoga is one of the best forms of exercise and care you can give your body. Not only is it extremely beneficial to your physical health, but yoga can do just as much for you mentally as well. You may even notice enhanced feelings of relaxation and calmness throughout your mind and muscles. Most importantly, remembering to take time to prepare yourself and create healthy habits before you exercise is a key way to ensure a great, healthy, and safe workout.