Mindful Yoga for absolute beginners

If you have been delaying the idea of a healthy lifestyle, start today. Yoga is a way of living that aims towards a healthy mind in a healthy body. With a large number of people, concerned about their health and lifestyle due to hectic schedule, yoga is clearly being preferred over vigorous gym sessions and heavy weight workouts to remain stress free and healthy.

"There is no doubt that yoga is the only hope left when nothing works, especially in the case of mental illness. It keeps our mind calm and concentrated as it the best stress buster to carry on with your daily routine," says Deepak Jha, a yoga expert.

If you're new to yoga, don't jump into tough positions. Begin with these basic asanas which can practice twice a week and gradually make it a part of your daily routine:

Stand erect with your feet together and your arms at your sides while breathing steadily and rhythmically and then lift and stretch your toes and the balls of your feet, balance your body weight on your feet lifting your ankles as you inhale and stay there for seconds. Again get back on your feet comfortably while exhaling. Repeat this asana for 3-5 long breaths so all your body muscles are stretched properly and lungs relaxes.

It is a comfortable position meditation. You just have to sit comfortably on the mat with crossed legs. Keeping your spine straight, place your hands on your knees and focus on thinking nothing. This asana takes the yoga practice beyond its physical dimension and helps you get in touch with your spiritual side. Vajrasana (Thunderbolt pose)

Thunderbolt pose is great for stomach, liver and uterus. It also strengthens the lower back and straightens the spine. It is a pose that comes when you kneel and sit on your knees, bringing your hips on your heels.