If yoga is the "stilling of the mind" the principles above are key in working to establish that. After all, that is why the physical side of yoga evolved - so that it becomes easier for us to sit comfortably in silence and contemplation without the distraction of physical pain. The physical postures are not an end in themselves but a means to becoming more truly ourselves.
Most importantly of all:-
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Do it - yoga is not learnt from reading about it or asking about it. It is an empirical knowledge and we need to experience it to begin to understand it.
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Enjoy your practice - if you enjoy it you will be interested and if you are interested your practice will be good.
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Keep it simple -just adhere to the principles above and don't' try too hard. Listen and watch carefully and let your breath and body work in their own time
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Find a good teacher - you may need to try several classes before you find one that suits you. Alternatively a well-constructed book or DVD can be an adequate starting point
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Yoga is self help. An instructor can guide and correct you but ultimately your own regular practice is your best teacher.
We have to begin our yoga practice from where ever is appropriate for us. It is not about achieving certain postures - this is ultimately boring and beside the point. What is so much more interesting is how we develop our understanding and awareness in the process of letting our bodies gradually unfold in the positions.
One of our teachers once said, 'Remember never use the body without the mind or vice versa'. The link between our minds and bodies is our breath. That is why it is so vital to integrate the movements in yoga with correct breathing. Without the breathing and absorbed concentration this brings then we are not practicing yoga at all. We may as well be peddling an exercise bike.
We both found our early experiences of yoga classes a little anxious-making! Although we did not know each other then we harboured some of the same fears. There seemed an insidious pressure, and sometimes it was less subtle than that, to adopt all sorts of weird and wonderful Eastern habits and traits. As valid and learned as some of these undoubtedly were we felt perfectly happy being ourselves and English. It was a revelation and relief to eventually come across evidently great exponents of yoga but who still eat an average Western diet and who were just as likely to quote a European philosopher as Patanjali.
