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International Yoga Day: tips for beginners keen to explore

Greig JohnstonEastern Reporter

IN 2017, with professional and personal lives moving faster than ever, the need to decompress and get in touch with your spiritual is side is paramount.

And what better way to do that than with the practice of yoga.

Yoga originated in ancient India, and aims to bring together one’s physical and spiritual self.

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But the look of some yoga poses can be intimidating to beginners – indeed, some can look so convoluted you fear the practitioner may never get out of them.

So with International Yoga Day just around the corner on Wednesday, we thought we’d ask a yoga teacher for some advice for those just starting out.

Tatjana Luker has been teaching yoga for four years at her Bedford studio Yoga Harmony Perth, and she offered plenty of tips.

Find a friend to go with

“Yoga is a communal practice,” Mrs Luker said.

“People can try it once or twice and they feel a little bit defeated by the physical challenges.”

She believed people are more likely to stick with something that is challenging with motivation from a friend.

Persevere

“A lot of people feel they can’t do it,” she said.

“If you really want to start doing yoga, and feel the benefit from it, you can’t feel defeated.

“Yoga really requires stillness, concentration and being present.”

Find a routine – and stick to it

Repetition is important.

“Even just once a week, you’re going to see great benefits,” Mrs Luker said.

“But because the body, the brain forgets – it’s better to do it twice a week, three times a week is even better.

“Traditionally there are commands to yoga six days a week, and on the other day you rest. That’s for the really dedicated ones.”

Find a school

“Find a teacher who can help to face yourself and to face those challenges,” Mrs Luker said.

“When you find that, that’s when the magic happens.

“That’s where the real transformation happens.”

Just do it

“It makes your relationships better, it makes your body better,” Mrs Luker said.

“Everything becomes better – you become a better worker, you start thinking more clearly.

“That’s the real benefit – when your body starts to function better and get clean, pure and full of good energy.”