Pre-requisites for Yoga beginner

Prerequisites for OnlineYoga Sessions

1. Yoga mat: 
   
   
   A yoga mat is required to cover the ground on which you do asana. It helps avoid slipping while doing asanas. If the ground is hard, during some asanas, it may hurt your knees or back. To avoid this, you may choose a suitably thick mat which offers support.
2. 
   Cotton blanket: Get a clean blanket which will be used to cover the Yoga mat. This is useful when doing asanas where the face / body is on the floor. So that when you are sweating, it does not fall on the rubber/yoga mat and you may not slip. 
3. Face towel: A thin face towel to keep your face and nose clean. 
4. Sash: A cotton belt or sash about 1 meter in length and 1 inch width. During forwarding bending asanas or stretches, a sash aids beginners to get optimal stretch and retain the asana-positions without strain.
5. Pillow: In sitting asanas such as vajra-asana, swastik-asana, siddha-asana etc, a beginner needs support of a pillow. Select a hard pillow / fully stuffed pillow, minimum of 3 to 5 inches high. 
6. Sleep well: Yes ! A good nights rest is important before your Yoga sessions. Or if you are doing asanas in the evening, after a busy day, schedule some free time, 30 minutes or an hour before the session to help you relax. A well rested body and mind will increase the joy of the yoga experience and help you benefit from the yoga asanas, pranayama and dhyana. 
7. Bowel: Empty your bowel before session. During asanas such as Pavan-mukta-asana, arda-matsendara-asana etc, the stomach and internal organs of vicsera are stimulated and massaged, which induces bowel movements, and you may have to visit the washroom if your bowels are not already empty.
8. Food: Yoga should be practiced on an empty stomach strictly.  No solid food to be taken atleast 3 hours prior to asanas. If you must, then you may have a cup of water or beverage atleast 45 minutes before session. Yoga asnas will compress or stretch various muscles and organs of your body. Yoga asnas such as uttana-asana, trikona-asana etc require bending downwards or compressing the stomach which may cause discomfort / disease incase there is food in the stomach. Hence it is strictly to be avoided.
9. Clothes: Wear comfortable breathable clothes which are not tight, but do not slip away. Preferably cotton. Cover your body as per the climate. Use ties to hold your clothes from slipping during asanas. For example when doing forward bending poses such as adho-mukha-swyana-asana, a loose t-shirt may obstruct your breathing. So it may be better to tuck / tie your t-shirt into your pant.
10. Online-Login: Login 4 min before the scheduled call time from a place that is quiet. 
11. MIC: Mute your mic by default. Only put the mic on when required or if asked to by facilitator. This helps to ensure others are not disturbed and we have a wonderful experience together. 
12. Camera and Lighting: Make sure you are well lit and your video is clear to me(facilitator). I need to see you clearly during asanas so that I may correct/understand your progress and appropriately guide you. Avoid light from behind you such as from a window or other sources, as this causes you to be in a shadow and I cannot observe your movements. DO: Stand in front of the camera, and make sure the light is behind the camera and lighting you well.
13. Warmup exercises: No pre preparation or 'warm-up' exercises are required. Yoga sessions include asanas to help relax and warm-up your body, mind and spirit ! Feel relaxed and do slowly. Whenever tired, pause, relax and continue with the next asana. 
14. Beginners: I will be doing each asana twice, once for you to observe and second time to do with me. Older students can do both times. 
15. Questions and doubts: Please keep your questions and do post them to me seperately after the session. I will address your concerns appropriately either one to one or within the group as appropriate.