Are You Making These Common Mistakes in Your Yoga Practice? Part 2

Are You Making These Common Mistakes in Your Yoga Practice?

Whether you’re new to yoga or not, if you’re making common mistakes, you’re not making the most of your practice.

From increased flexibility to stress relief, practicing yoga comes with a long list of benefits. However, if you’re making common mistakes in your yoga practice, there’s a strong possibility that you’re missing out on at least some of those benefits. In our previous blog, we went over the first four common mistakes to avoid in your yoga practice. Keep reading below to learn more.

Mistake #5. You practice with a full stomach.

While it’s true that the right snack can fuel your workout, yoga involves a lot of twisting, turning and moving, and it’s just not comfortable to practice yoga on a full stomach. Additionally, when your stomach is full, your blood flows to your stomach, where it processes the nutrients you’ve just eaten. But, when you’re practicing, it’s important that your blood flows to your muscles, where it helps to retain energy and strength.

Mistake #6. You give up.

Yoga is a challenge, and if your practice doesn’t require you to push yourself, then it’s probably time to amp it up a little. Too often, yogis won’t even try a challenging pose, or they give up at the first sign of defeat. As we mentioned in Part 1 of this series, your practice should never be painful, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll never have to move past your comfort zone. Yoga is called a practice, because yogis are continuously getting better, even people who have been practicing for decades. If you fall out of a pose or can’t quite get there, try again!

Mistake #7. You let your thoughts overrun your practice.

Surprisingly enough, for many people, the most challenging part of yoga is not necessarily physically performing the poses — it’s the challenge of wrangling their thoughts and focusing on their breathing. Too often, practitioners derail their practice because they are thinking about what to make for dinner, if their shirt is riding up or how many items need to be checked off from their to-do list instead of their breathing and movement. To get the most out of your practice, make concentration your number one priority.

Mistake #8. You skip Savasana.

The last 10 minutes of your practice will almost certainly consist of performing Savasana, or Corpse Pose. Although Corpse Pose is essentially just lying on the floor, it’s actually the most important part of your practice, so resist the urge to roll up your mat a few minutes early. During Savasana, your mind and body are able to relax completely, allowing you to absorb all of the amazing benefits of your practice. It’s also a great time to practice breathing techniques and meditation.

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