Today, yoga is one of the popular ways to relieve stress and improve a person's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It is not a new practice; yoga has been around for centuries and it continues to be practiced by millions of people around the world.

Getting started in yoga is not always easy. In fact, some people try it for a few sessions and then quit soon afterward because they can't bring their minds to focus and their bodies to completely relax. If you do it properly and if you practice patience, however, you will see that yoga is very relaxing and enjoyable once you overcome your self-consciousness during the first few sessions.

If you are just starting to get into yoga, below are three important tips to keep in mind so you can make the most of your yoga experience.

1. Have reasonable expectations.

The benefits of yoga are so overrated in some cultures that people think they will experience major positive changes in their bodies after just one or two sessions. But yoga does not work that way. Yoga is not so much a remedy for any illness as it is a healthy way of life. For example, practicing yoga regularly can help you reduce weight. However, if you have the expectation of losing a certain number of pounds after just two yoga sessions, you are likely going to be disappointed. If you make your expectations more reasonable, you will be able to enjoy yoga so much more.

2. Take it one step at a time.

If you have never tried yoga, it is best to join some trial sessions first instead of immediately signing up for a 12-month course. These trial sessions can help you determine which type of yoga class is right for you. Ideally, you should start with a beginner yoga class. Unlike other yoga classes that you will have to pay for upfront, beginner classes are paid for on a per-session basis. Beginner classes also allow you to get a feel of the different forms of yoga without immersing you in the more difficult routines. After a few sessions, you will be able to choose which type of yoga you want to practice, and only then should you sign up for a long-term and more advanced class.

3. Choose the right instructor.

Many people quit yoga because of the lack of competence of the instructors. Yoga may not be a dangerous activity such as football and wrestling, but a lot of people are getting injured during yoga sessions. One of the reasons for this is that yoga teachers are not very good at giving instructions. With yoga becoming increasingly popular, the demand for yoga instructors has increased. In their hurry to boost their business, many yoga centers become lax when checking the qualifications of yoga instructors they hire. This then leads the higher number of new yogis getting injured. To avoid getting injured, do your own background check on the instructors. Make sure they have all the right qualifications and that they have adequate experience in teaching yoga. If you take this extra step, you are more likely to have a much safer and more enjoyable yoga experience.