Brian Puckett

Common Yoga Traps to Avoid

Introduction Attorney and CPA Brian Puckett serves as Senior Wealth Advisor at Align

Wealth Management in St. Petersburg, FL, where he specializes in developing personalized retirement plans. Outside of his professional life, Brian Puckett keeps active, enjoying paddle boarding at Treasure Island, FL, and practicing yoga.

For those looking to start a yoga practice, it’s important to avoid some of the more common pitfalls. With that in mind, here are three mistakes beginning yogis often make, and what one can do to prevent them.

Don’t Hold Your Breath

During a challenging stretch, the natural instinct is to hold the breath. Resist this urge. The muscles need a constant flow of blood and oxygen in order to support the pose. There should be full breaths from the belly, not chest breaths. Inhale slowly through the nose, and exhale slowly through the mouth.

Yoga TrapsDon’t Do Yoga on a Full Stomach

Referring to the previous point, the muscles need blood supply. After eating a meal, however, the body diverts blood to the digestive system in order to process the newly eaten food. This is blood that the muscles miss out on during poses. A small high-protein snack before class is OK, but refrain from practicing on a full stomach.

Don’t Take Things So Seriously

Yoga can be a deeply fulfilling practice, but one must learn to embrace the journey and not take things so seriously. If there is no element of enjoyment in yoga for you, then it becomes difficult to keep pressing deeper in your learning. Some people like music, some like silence. The important thing is that you makes the practice your own and find success doing what works best for you.