International Day of Yoga- 5 Mistakes You Should Avoid While Doing Yoga

Yoga is not just about physical health, but it is a way of living. It aims towards a healthy mind, a healthy body, and an awakened soul. The word yoga is translated from ‘Yuja,’ which means to unite or to join. It is a union of body, soul, and mind. Also, it is the union of the self with the universe. Yoga is an an-age practice that brings together mental and physical disciplines allowing the achievement of a peaceful body and mind. International Yoga Day was introduced to raise awareness about yoga and its importance across the world.

Celebrated on June 21 every year since 2015, International Yoga Day is a testament to the spiritual and physical difference yoga can bring in one’s life. Incepted in the United Nations Assembly, this day holds exceptional significance as it puts light on various yoga practices.

# Arriving late for class

Giving yourself ample time to park, check in, and set up for your yoga practice will promote a calm and relaxed mindset and allow you to leave the stress of the day at the door. Arriving 5-15 minutes early shows respect for your teacher and fellow students and will give you time to bond with your yoga studio community before class.

# Rushing to yoga class

Give yourself plenty of time to get ready for and travel to your yoga class. If you arrive flustered and rushed, it will be harder to transition into a calm and relaxed yoga experience. Rushing to class can also make you forget to bring what you need and prevent you from being 100% ready for your practice.

# Wearing inappropriate clothing

It can certainly take some trial and error to find the yoga clothing that works best for your body and the type of yoga class you want to attend. If your clothes are too tight, restrictive, scratchy, or sweaty, you’ll be distracted from focusing on your breath and the yoga poses.

Wear clothes you can easily move around in and that are made with materials that feel good on your skin.. If you need a little help deciding how to dress for class, you can always ask the yoga teaher for recommendations.

# Showing up stinky

A major tenet of yoga is the practice of shaucha or cleanliness. Be aware of your personal hygiene as you prepare for class and try to have a neutral and clean smell. Arriving to class strongly perfumed or smelling of body odor will be distracting to your fellow yogis.

# Not cleaning your mat

Your yoga mat needs regular cleaning to keep it smelling good and functioning properly. A dirty yoga mat, especially if used for power yoga or hot yoga, will eventually start to smell and become a distraction from your practice. You also risk injury by using a dirty mat it can lose its stickiness, making your hands and feet slip and slide and compromising your stability.