NNew students are sometimes surprised that a yoga class begins with sitting still. They have come to move, after all. But those first quiet minutes are where the practice begins, allowing the mind to settle and the body to become ready. The closing rest helps the body absorb the benefits of the practice.
Arriving fully
Most of us arrive at a yoga class carrying the day: the traffic, the messages and the list of things still to do. Sitting quietly for a few minutes allows the body to settle and the mind to catch up. The postures that follow can then be practised with attention rather than on autopilot.
The closing rest
At the end of a yoga practice, we lie in Shavasana, the resting pose. It may look like doing nothing, yet it is one of the most important postures. The body takes in the effects of the practice, while the breath and heartbeat return to an easy rhythm.
Try not to skip the final rest, even at home. Five minutes is enough.
Carrying it into the day
The stillness developed through yoga practice is meant to extend beyond the mat. Over time, students learn to carry this sense of calm into everyday moments while waiting in a queue, preparing for a difficult conversation or unwinding at the end of a long day.
