1. Practice regularly. This is probably the most aspect of any practice, but it especially applies to Yoga. The science of Yoga is designed to be followed on a regular basis. Even when you practice once a week, but every week you will begin to feel the results very soon. Consistency is key. All you need to do is practice regularly and the rest will come naturally.
2. Adopt a vegetarian diet. This is a controversial topic for many people, so I will try to be brief here. It is much easier to practice Yoga when you don't eat animal products. This is tested, proven and proven again. End of story.
3. Follow the yamas (dos) and niyamas of yoga (don'ts). These are the Yoga commandments, and many books are written on the subject. If you follow most of these, or at least attempt to, your practice will improve immensely:
Ahimsa -- Non-violence. Not harming other people or other sentient beings. Not harming onesself. Not harming the environment. Tolerance even for that which we dislike. Not speaking that which, even though truthful, would injure others.
Satya -- Truthfulness. Note that sometimes we may know our words are literally true, but do not convey what we know to be truthful. This is a child's game. Satya means not intending to deceive others in our thoughts, as well as our words and actions.
Asteya -- Non-stealing. Not taking that which is not given.
Brahmacarya -- Sexual responsibility. Regarding others as human beings rather than as male and female bodies. The spirit of this precept is conservation of energy for the purpose of spiritual practice. This includes not only sexual restraint, but protecting our energy for instance by avoiding endless chattering with no clear purpose.
Aparigraha -- Abstention from greed. Not coveting that which is not ours. Avoidance of unnecessary acquisition of objects not essential to maintaining life or spiritual study.
Sauca -- Cleanliness. Not only external cleanliness of the body, but attending to internal cleanliness such as avoiding the impurities of anger and egoism. Moderation in diet.Santosa -- Contentment. Not spiritual complacency, but acceptance of the external situation we are allotted in this life.
Tapas -- Austerity. Deep commitment to our yoga practice. "Blazing practice with religious fervor."
Svadhyaya -- Self-study. Spiritual self-education. Contemplation and application of the scriptures or sacred texts of our chosen path.Isvara pranidhana -- Surrender of the self to God. Acknowledgement that there is a higher principle in the universe than one's own small self. Modesty. Humility.
So there you have. The secret of Yoga. Follow these rules, and you will become a Yoga Master sooner than you expect.
