Are You Making These Common Mistakes in Your Yoga Practice?

There are so many benefits that come with practicing yoga, but common mistakes could be holding you back.

Yoga is beneficial in so many ways, but unfortunately, it’s all too easy to make mistakes in your practice that could be holding you back from enjoying all of the benefits of practicing. At Yoga Culture, we offer yoga apparel to help you get the most out of your practice, but we don’t stop there! We also want to provide you with the information you need. That’s why we’ve come up with this list of common mistakes to avoid in your practice.

Mistake #1. You hold your breath.

Holding your breath has to be the biggest and most common mistake yogis make, particularly beginners. However, even the most experienced practitioners can easily forget to breathe when they’re holding difficult poses. Some of the best benefits of practicing yoga are due to the focused, meditative breathing that’s central to every pose, so if you’re not breathing throughout each pose, you’re missing out.

Mistake #2. You compare yourself to other yogis.

One of the best parts about yoga is that your practice is completely your own. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, and while your neighbour or teacher might be able to lean all the way to the ground in a Forward Bend to touch their toes or hold onto their inner feet in Boat Pose, that doesn’t mean that you should push yourself to do the same. Use modifications and do your best in each pose, but don’t waste your time comparing your practice to anyone else’s.

Mistake #3. You push yourself too far.

Most people are more than used to pushing themselves when they exercise, and for the most part, when you “feel the burn,” it’s a good thing. However, in yoga, it’s important to be extremely careful about how far you push yourself. Yoga should be a challenge, but it should never be painful. If you push yourself too far too quickly in yoga, it’s a recipe for injury. Go slow, and if a pose is painful, back off and modify it to work for you.

Mistake #4. You take your practice too seriously.

Yoga is an ancient practice that requires commitment, focus and discipline, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be fun or enjoyable. Some of the most valuable benefits of yoga include the happiness and well being it brings, but it’s hard to find that happiness if you take your practice too seriously. Whenever you’re struggling through a difficult pose, try smiling! Or, practice with a friend you can laugh and have a good time with.

Get the most out of your practice with Yoga Culture.

In addition to avoiding these common mistakes, it’s also important to equip yourself with the right apparel for your practice, and that’s where we come in. Our yoga tanks and leggings are designed for style, movement, comfort and sustainability. Shop with us today, and to learn to avoid more common yoga mistakes, stay tuned for our next blog.