Popularity of yoga: Yoga has become popular because of its many health benefits. Not only does it strengthen, stretch and tone the body, it also helps to promote a calmer mind. At the same time it improves flexibility in the body and helps in significant weight loss.

Because of these many benefits, more and more people want to practice yoga. But many are hesitant because they feel it is very difficult. They see some of the yoga experts tied up in (what they perceive to be) inextricable knots, and come to the conclusion that it requires an extremely flexible body.

However, this is not so. If you are keen on learning yoga, you will find that there are many yoga classes which cater only to beginners. The yoga positions taught here are very simple and basic, and perfectly suited for beginners. An expert yoga teacher will always ensure that a beginner starts with easy asanas (poses) and gradually builds up to the more complex ones.

Yoga meditation for beginners is also gradually taught to beginners. In the beginning you may find it very difficult to concentrate, but repeated practice will improve your skills.

How to find a suitable class for a beginner:
•If you are lucky you will find a yoga class in your city, and near the place you live or work in.
•If that is not possible, you can sign up for an online course, which caters specifically to beginners. You can pay for the course and download the material on a CD.
•If need be you may even try and buy a DVD online or from a yoga outlet. There are many DVDs available in the market. Just take care to select one that caters specifically to beginners.

Precaution: Whether you attend a class or practice with the help of a DVD, take care not to stretch your limits. If you experience any pain or discomfort while doing a pose, stop immediately. Just like pilates for beginners, start slow and gradual.

Yoga poses which are suitable for beginners: The following yoga poses are simple and basic, and may be practiced by a beginner with ease.
•Downward Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukho Svanasana)
•Garland Pose (Malasana)
•Extended Side Angle Pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana)
•Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
•Pyramid Pose (Parsvottonasana)
•Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana)
•Standing Straddle Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana)
•Raised Hands Pose (Urdhva Hastasana)
•Warrior Poses I and II (Virbhadrasana I and II)
•Triangle Pose (Trikonasana)
•Easy Pose (Sukhasana)
•Cobbler’s Pose (Baddha Konasana)
•Head to Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana)
•Half Lord of the Fishes Pose (Ardha Matsyendrasana)
•Seated Wide Legged Straddle (Upavistha Konasana)
•Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)
•Dandasana (Staff Pose)
•Child Pose (Balasana)
•Cobra Pose (Bhujagasana)
•Corpse Pose (Savasana)