If you are not comfortable practising Yoga at a class and would rather take part at home, then go for it! All you need to do, it buy a mat, wear some comfortable clothes and find out exactly what moves you have to do. You can even buy relaxation CD’s that play music to help you get into the mood, and you can also purchase DVD’s that show you exactly what to do, from a beginner to advanced. Just make sure you don’t forget to shut the curtains though, you wouldn’t wait your neighbours nosing in whilst you are trying to perfect the crab!

I’ve got a close friend who is obsessed with Yoga! She attends classes a couple of nights a week and can bend into position you wouldn’t quite believe. I mentioned to her that she should become a teacher, but she was concerned that she wasn’t advanced enough and didn’t know if you needed to attend courses etc.

I looked into this for her and found out exactly what she would need to do before she could teach. A certification course is needed and you generally need several years experience in Yoga. It would also be beneficial to have helped teach a class previously.

Teaching Yoga doesn’t earn you lots of money though and it extremely hard work if you decide to take it on full time. There is no 9-5 and you wont be raking in £50k. It’s probably best if you juggle your normal job with teaching the classes.

Have a look on the web for places you can go and gain your qualification.

Wondering where there are Yoga classes local to you? Try looking on Yoga.co.uk. This site is a great directory which will inform you of events that are taking place and also where and when the classes are near to you.

The site also has a section on holidays that are taking place for all Yoga lovers. There is one trip to Italy being advertised on there at the moment which covers self healing and inner enquiry.

If you are a beginner trying to find a class, or are looking to venture to another country, this website is ideal for you.

An International Yoga camp is due to open on the Scottish Island of Little Cumbrae. Two million yoga fanatics have bought the island and they are all devotees of Baba Ramdev, a yoga guru.

The island is going to be renamed ‘Peace Island’ and will become a haven for the followers of Baba.

Baba Ramdev’s television show attracts over 20 million viewers and he was once said to say that yoga can actually cure HIV.

Are you going to grab your yoga mat and march on over to Little Cumbrae? Or do you think that the whole idea is slightly bizarre? Let me know!

As you can imagine, Yoga can be rather embarrassing!! Trying to get into uncomfortable positions in a room full of strangers can be soul destroying, here are a few embarrassing questions that people have asked me:

• Every time I attend my Yoga class, I end up farting. It’s so embarrassing, what shall I do? – Chanel, Manchester

Although this is quite embarrassing, it is a rather common problem.  Whilst moving around, your body can stir up your guts. Passing wind is natural and you will be in a room full of adults who will probably find it funny, but it will be forgotten about by the next week. My advice is to stay off the baked beans!

• My teacher always pairs me up with the sweaty pervert of the class, should I tell her that I feel uncomfortable? – Jodie, Skegness

My advice to you Jodie, is to either, find a new class, try and position your mat next to the hunk in the thong or stand up to your teacher and tell her that you don’t feel comfortable. If you stick it out, you may even end up becoming friends with this sweaty stranger!

Other common questions of Yoga are:

• I really love Yoga, but I hate the music that my teacher plays, it’s the same every lesson.
• Everyone wears a thong, why is this?
• Someone in the class stinks of BO, should I say something?
• I keep doing vart’s (vaginal fart) in class, how can I stop this?

Once you get into the swing of things and feel as though you are picking up the movements in class, you will want to purchase your own mat so that you can try it out at home.

It can, however, be slightly disappointing to find that your trying to your poses and the mat is slipping around underneath you. This can be slightly annoying and there is also the risk that you could injure yourself. The reason for this is that your mat just needs to be work down a bit. The mats that are in use at the gym probably get used everyday! Try running it through the washing machine and keep using your mat to reduce the slipperiness.

There are certain things you should do and certain things you shouldn’t do, when going to your first yoga class.

Do

• If you are taking part in a class, make sure you tell the teacher that it is your first time . You probably wont be the only one, so don’t be worried.
• Always, ask the teacher for help when you need it.
• If you are getting stuck, look around at the other students and copy what they do.
• Get familiar with the basic poses before you go to the class.
  

Don’t

• Eat a big meal before the class. Try eating a few hours before.
• Drink lots of water during class. Make sure you have plenty before and after.
• Wear shoes or socks.

Another great pose for all you beginners is the Triangle Pose. This pose is a great way for you to strengthen your legs. It will also help you stretch your groin and can even help you relieve any back pain.

• Begin by reaching down with your left arm forward. Draw your left thigh upwards and tuck your hip in as you go forward.
• Drop your left hand onto your shin or your ankle, which ever one you feel is more comfortable.
• Reach your right fingertips upwards whilst keeping your right shoulder rooted.
• Look up towards your right fingertips.
• Draw the left thigh upwards.
• Repeat this on the other side.

If you are a beginner, why not try the raised hand pose (Urdhva Hastasana). This pose will help to improve your posture, strengthen your thighs and open your shoulders.

• Begin by standing with your feet shoulder width apart . Bring your arms out to either side and slowly bring them up.
• Next, press your palms together, keeping your arms straight. Slowly lift your head and  look up towards your thumbs.
• You now need to slide your shoulder blades down your back.
• Try and stay in this position, as still as you can, maintaining your alignment.

If you are struggling, try doing this pose with your back against a wall, it will help a lot.

Transform My Yoga, a blog all about, well, Yoga!

I will give you useful hints and tips on the best positions and poses which will give you both mental and physical benefits. For each pose I will give you instructions on hows it’s done and the benefits you will get from it.

If you are just a beginner or at an advanced level, I hope this blog can help you. Remember that practice makes perfect, so if you don’t quite master it first time around, keep on going! As you progress you will feel more comfortable taking on the advanced, challenging poses and you’ll be a professional in no time.