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Staying Safe while Practicing Yoga

You might be surprised to learn that every year thousands of people end up in the hospital due to yoga injuries. A few simple steps can help you stay safe, avoid the emergency room, and enjoy a safe yoga practice.

#1 Start Slowly

If you’re new to yoga, be sure to start in a beginner’s class. You’ll be able to practice the poses without feeling competitive or overwhelmed. If you can afford it, a private instructor can help you learn the poses quickly and their hands on guidance can be invaluable.

#2 Use The Right Equipment

You’d be surprised how many people practice yoga with the wrong equipment, or no equipment at all. Yoga mat wipes,blocks, straps and yoga mats are all designed to help enhance a yoga practice and aid the movements. They can help you ease into a yoga practice and adapt to the poses as your body changes and grows.

#3 Wear Good Clothing

Yoga class is not the place for tennis shoes, jeans and a wool sweater. You want to wear clothing that lets your body move freely but isn’t baggy. It’s too easy to trip over long pant legs! Socks generally aren’t worn, unless they’re yoga socks which tend to have a sticky bottom that adheres to the floor or a yoga mat.

Slipping on floors is a good way to get hurt. Bare feet work best. And because there are many inverted poses, meaning you’re upside down, you’ll want to make sure you’re wearing a shirt that doesn’t flop over your head. Form-fitting tank tops, cami-tops, or sports bras work best for women. Men may prefer to wear a t-shirt or tank top.

#4 Learn from an Expert

Many people prefer to practice yoga in the comfort of their homes. There are many top quality DVDs available and there are online podcasts and videos you can access as well. However, when you’re at home, you lose the benefit of an instructor. Consider taking a class or two or hiring a private instructor before you begin your home practice. This way you can ensure you’re performing the poses in a safe and correct manner.

#5 Listen to Your Body

Many people push their body beyond its limits. The most common injuries are wrist injuries, back injuries and knee and hip injuries.

If you’re feeling sore, find a way to modify a pose so that your joints or muscles aren’t compromised. Remember that some days are better than others and it’s important to mentally adapt to your physical changes.

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>>Warning!!<<

So if you know me you will know that I love my hot yoga but It turns out that I’m not the only one.

Bacteria love warm environments too!!

Add a little bit of moisture and BOOM these guys will begin to make spoors in the pours of your mat their home. :(

Up until recently I though I had a good mat hygiene but i was wrong.

I was out of town for work and I ended up borrowing a loaner mat. The studio itself was friendly,helpful and made me feel right at home. In fact I would even give them a shout out if it wasn't for this one thing.

I got sick .

It turns out that one of their regulars had recently had a bout of the vomiting bug and no longer though they were contagious. Over the course of a week 8 people that passed through the studio had like me become unwell.

Two whole days of stomach craps and going at it from both ends!!

I called on them on the third day to let them know what had happened but they were already in clean up mode. Needless to say they were mortified in what had unraveled.

So to cut a long story short :) We love yoga for the health benefits it provides and its counterproductive if we end up unwell by doing it.

Now I use Jo Sha wipes regardless of if im on a loaner or on my own mat and I wash down my mat once a week.

So......How often do you clean your yoga??

xo