If you were not aware that September is National Yoga month before, you are now. Even if you think you are as inflexible as a stone post, you can get the benefits of yoga with a few simple asanas (poses) Don't worry, you don't have to be good and you don't have to learn the Sanskrit words for any of the poses. All that you need is a mat and an open mind. It is your choice whether you come to a public class or try to learn yoga on your own, in the privacy of your home. Both have their pros and cons.

Many of the yoga studios across the US are offering free yoga classes especially for beginners while some yoga web sites are also offering free benefits like downloads or streaming yoga practices. Learning in a class is beneficial because the teacher can help you achieve the right form with the poses and can gently guide you in the direction you need to strive for. For those who are shy in large groups, however, a home based practice on DVD or on the computer can be good as long as you realize that you lose some of the special touches of the yoga class. It is also important to remember that most people do not hit Warrior III perfectly the first time and that even seasoned yogis have poses that are the very bane of their existence.

For people who have been doing yoga for years, there are ways to celebrate the month, adding more depth and variety to your yoga practice and making it more special. Changing the time of day is one of the simplest ways to reconnect to yoga. If you are used to taking a class after work, try sunrise yoga which allows you to greet the day in a more centered, peaceful way. It is also a great way to end a day and may help you sleep more soundly.

If you can, try and conquer a new pose. There are many poses that seem unattainable at first but get closer and closer as your practice continues. You can also try to take your yoga practice to a whole new location. If you have only been practicing at home, try a yoga class at a studio. If you want to, take your yoga outside - connecting to the earth which may help you achieve the poses and may make you feel more balanced in the end.