Have you been thinking about practicing yoga for a long time? You don't think any more! Decide to take your first class. You will notice the positive changes it will bring to your life, both physically, emotionally and spiritually. Make up your mind and - most importantly - don't forget to breathe, smile and enjoy your practice with your heart!

To begin this practice you must be mentally prepared. You will see that the instructions for doing yoga postures show the "goal", that is, where you should go, not where you should necessarily go. This means that you can experiment and explore different positions to make the posture work for you, without hurting yourself.

Here are some important tips you should know if you are a beginner in yoga practice.

1 Be patient and watch

A yoga class for beginners does not always mean that it is an easy class. You must be very patient and listen to your body. It takes time to learn yoga practice. At the beginning you will have to observe your yoga instructor to see the correct way to perform the postures (asana).

2 Breathing is the most important thing

It is important that you emphasize breathing, as it is one of the most important steps in yoga, it regulates our mental and emotional state and helps our concentration. Breathing affects stress levels and sleepiness. Learning to breathe correctly will make us feel healthier, calmer and more prepared to cope with stressful situations. It also makes you feel better. The correct way to breathe is to push the abdomen out on inhalation and let it come back in on exhalation.

Look: Headache? Say goodbye with these yoga postures

3 Above all comfort, there is no ideal attire

During practice you should feel comfortable. Loose and loose-fitting clothes that allow you to move freely, it's the best. Keep in mind that you need mobility throughout your body, in all your joints. Also think about doing yoga positions where you'll be upside down, and if you're wearing something too wide, your shirt may come down to your head, so it's a good idea to wear a sports bra or a T-shirt that's not as wide underneath.

4 Choose your ideal mat

You can buy the yoga mat at any supermarket, sports shop or tianguis. There is a great variety of yoga mats, differ in thickness and material.

• Rubber mats are thin and keep you from slipping.

• Rubber doubles are the same, but thicker and more cushioning.

Cotton mats are the best choice for those Bikram Yoga sessions, for example, because they cause a lot of sweat, these mats prevent you from slipping. It is advisable to moisten the cotton mats a little before starting the exercises to obtain a more pleasant feeling.

5 Have the necessary accessories on hand before you start

It's good to have a block, a rope and even a blanket handy. There are positions where you will need to help with these accessories. For example, for postures where you need to rest your head or knees on the floor while pressing, a blanket underneath is very useful. For the triangle posture you might need a block to rest your hands on it. Your instructor will tell you in which posture you will need these accessories and how to use them correctly.

6 Practice without shoes

To feel a connection with the earth and your practice, it is important that you make it barefoot. You will feel a pleasant sensation and you will be able to feel that you return to the origins with this practice. In addition, being barefoot is also for your safety, otherwise you could slip on the mat. It also helps you to have better support to support your body in a posture, improve your balance and you will be able to separate each toe from your feet as much as you can.

7 Ask your instructor all your questions

This is an important point during your yoga practice even more so if you are a beginner. If you do not understand a posture, do not know how to make it or what will be its benefit, feel free to ask your instructor, he will answer all your questions. It is preferable that you understand something well before doing so, rather than enter into a position with uncertainty. You can ask him at the end of the class, but don't ever hesitate to ask.

8 Listen to your body, don't push yourself too hard.

It is best to let your instructor know if you have previous injuries or surgeries. With yoga practice you will discover muscles that you didn't know existed and that you never exercised. Therefore, allow your body to adapt to the new exercises and movements without forcing. Listen to your body. Don't fight him and don't stress him out.

9 When you're doing a stance you haven't done before, first observe

If you are consistent with practice you will notice the advances in your body. Little by little you will be advancing your level, but there will always be positions that you do not know. When you're doing a posture for the first time, it's best to look at how your teacher does it first and listen to the instructions. Trying to do this at the same time can make it harder for you and may result in injury. If you are doing an asana for the first time, be sure to watch and listen carefully to your instructor before you do it.

10 When NOT to practice yoga

It is recommended that you know the contraindications for each posture before doing them, this way you will avoid hurting any muscle or joint. Preferably do not practice during periods of menstruation, pregnancy, high blood pressure or injuries to the knees, hips, shoulders and necks. If you decide to do so, consult your doctor first and let your instructor know. Consider that you must be especially careful in all postures and if possible avoid them if you have any discomfort. The most important thing is to take care of your body and not hurt it.