Having a yoga mat may be a no-brainer, but having a yoga mat that accommodates your height — particularly for us taller women — may not be an immediate thought. While yoga mats tend to come "one-size fits all," I have purchased mats that were slightly shorter than the standard. After rectifying this by purchasing a mat that fits my needs, I realized that there are a variety of mat options. Not just in design, but in length and depth. Finding a mat that fits your needs — whether it's longer for your height, or thicker for your comfort — can be important for long-term participation.

A lot of the meditation properties of yoga, at least in my experience, are about connecting with your body and letting it lead. Sure, the instructor is telling you what poses to do, but your body tells you how far into those poses it can go. Listen to your body. Modify when you must. Take breaks when needed and trust your own limitations. Like with any workout, it is not healthy to push yourself past exhaustion. You must listen to the lengths at which your body can or can't go. If your body says no more, get back into resting pose and allow your body to reset. If your body says "I can go further," do just that. Don't sell yourself short, but also, don't push yourself too far.

What I enjoyed most about yoga is that everyone is in a space of embracing their own ability. Once I realized that no one was watching me look like a fool, I was able to rest in the possibilities of my own body. You will not know every pose and you will not get every pose right – that is okay. The more I focused on myself, the more I was able to do.