There is a difference between standing, and actively engaging your body to really stand:
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This one is a true yoga classic and the reason for those ‘I’m down, dog’ print shirts. This one is a bit trickier, because there are a lot of little details to pay attention to, but don’t worry, you will find yourself in this position a lot and practice makes perfect.
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This one is all about the core and is crucial to build a strong foundation for your practice.
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This one is a wonderful ‘heart opener’, which means opening up your chest. It’s perfect for those of us with a desk job, who spend most of our days bent over a computer keyboard.
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(Disclaimer: There is different ways to teach forward folds, with straight legs from the beginning or bent legs until your flexibility improves: I personally follow that second line of thought).
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After all this work, your body deserves some rest (your instructor will hopefully also tell you that if the practice gets too heavy at any point, you are also free to always assume this position).
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Having heard (and maybe tried out) all these poses, you can be sure that you are more than ready for your first yoga class. Just one last thing: yoga is for everybody. And by that, I mean every body. You don’t have to be a flexible gymnast to go to your first yoga class. Likewise, you don’t have to be the strongest person in the room. Yoga is a journey for your body and mind. It is the progress that should matter to you, not perfecting any of these poses on your first try. Keep that in mind when you step onto your mat, be gentle to yourself with your thoughts, and at the same time strive for greatness. I hope you’ll have fun exploring the world of yoga.
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