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Which Credit Monitoring Service Should You Use? http://ift.tt/2wvgkgx There’s not much of a silver lining in the Equifax disaster, but it’s reminded us just how important it is to keep tabs on your credit. More than ever, credit monitoring is essential to making sure there’s no sketchy, fraudulent activity associated with your personal info. And you can monitor your own credit for free, forever. What Does It Mean to “Monitor” Your Credit?Monitoring your credit basically means taking a look at your credit report to make sure everything looks okay—there are no errors and, more importantly, no fraudulent accounts or activity. Advertisement It’s great to check it yourself, and as we’ve pointed out, you’re entitled to a free copy of your report from each of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) every year. You don’t have to check them all at once, either. You can stagger them and check one at a time a few times a year. However, especially in light of this whole Equifax fiasco, which has revealed just how vulnerable the system really is, it’s a good idea to stay on top of your credit more frequently. Equifax offered their own version of credit monitoring for free for a year. After pushback that its terms waived customers’ right to participate in a class action lawsuit, they removed that language, but they’ll have to forgive us if we’re still not champing at the bit to use their service. Plus, they only offered it for a year anyway, so if someone has your Social Security number, what’s stopping them from waiting a couple of years to use it? Anyway, there are plenty of other tools and services that help you monitor your credit for free, for as long as you want. Note: If you have a security freeze on your account, it might affect the registration process for signing up for any of these services. You may have to temporarily lift the freeze in order to register. What Are Some Better Options?We’ve written about tools like Credit Sesame and Credit Karma, both solid options for monitoring your credit forever. Credit Karma is a favorite, but there are even more options out there to choose from so you can make your own decision. Keep in mind, a free credit monitoring service should never ask you for your credit card to sign up for an account. None of the services mentioned below will ask you for that. Credit KarmaWe’ve mentioned this as our Credit Karma is one of our favorite free services for monitoring your own credit and keeping your identity safe. They offer weekly credit monitoring, which includes a full report (they’ve partnered with bureaus, so your score won’t get dinged) of activity and balances. You’ll also get real-time notifications for new accounts or any major changes, as well as instructions to help you understand what your credit report actually means. Advertisement Every credit monitoring service should offer these basic features, so what sets Credit Karma apart? Whereas some services give access to your reports from just one bureau, Credit Karma gives you access to two: TransUnion and Equifax. This is a decent perk because you get to see your scores with both bureaus, and while your report is much more important than your score (it’ll actually show you activity), it’s nice to know how your score might vary between two places. A few other perks Credit Karma offers:
Credit Karma is the tool to beat, but there are still solid options out there if for some reason you don’t like them. Credit SesameLike Credit Karma, you’ll get access to your credit report and score for free. They’ll also help you understand your report with actionable advice and a breakdown of what different activity means, just like Credit Karma. Again, you’ll get alerts for different types of activity. Advertisement According to the Penny Hoarder, “one thing Credit Sesame includes on your dashboard that I didn’t see anywhere on Credit Karma is total debt.” Seeing all of your debt in one place shows you what you have to deal with. It also makes it easy to check for any major changes to your account. But again, with real-time notifications, you should get an alert if anyone checks your report or opens up a new line of credit, anyway. Credit Sesame also has tools to let you search for and compare loan rates, but with sites like Bankrate and Nerdwallet out there, that’s not a huge leg up above Credit Karma. They also have free identity theft insurance, but as Consumer Reports points out, it’s not that valuable of a freebie, and likely just their way of getting you to sign up for a more comprehensive plan that costs money. These added perks aren’t groundbreaking, but it’s still a decent service for monitoring your credit. WalletHubLike any of the other services, WalletHub offers free credit scores and reports (from TransUnion) along with information and advice to help you understand and improve your credit. You’ll also get alerts when information on your credit report changes. Advertisement The problem is, WalletHub potentially sells your data to third-party companies, and that’s not true for any of the others listed here (Mint sells aggregate data but not personal data. Here’s what WalletHub’s terms and conditions read (emphasis ours):
In other words, they can tell credit card companies how creditworthy you are to see what kind of offers you prequalify for. So why would you still consider using them? Advertisement The most important factor that sets WalletHub apart is that it monitors your credit daily, 24/7. That’s pretty great because it allows you to take action faster if something fishy happens. According to the site, you don’t have to worry about the impact of 24/7 credit monitoring, either.
In other words, your score won’t get damaged from them checking your report. Considering the other services don’t sell your data, though, you’ll have to decide for yourself if daily monitoring is worth sticking to these unattractive terms. Mint.comMint, the popular budgeting tool, also offers credit monitoring. Their free option is a little lackluster compared to the other options, though. You only get monitoring at one bureau (but they do send you alerts when anything changes on your credit report or if someone has pulled it). They have a more comprehensive option for $16.99 a month, but they offer the same basic service that many other places offer for free. You can see the differences in the screenshot below. Still, Mint is one of our favorite tools for budgeting, so if you already use it, you might consider opting into its credit monitoring service in addition to using a more comprehensive one. AAA MembershipIf you’re a AAA member, you can get access to their ProtectMyID® Essential service. It’s pretty basic compared to the other free services out there, but it comes with the following:
They have a paid service that offers a few more perks, most notably, a “daily internet scan” of free sites to search for unauthorized use of your personal information. Which Service Is Best?Any of these is a good option, but if you’re looking for something more comprehensive, we’d go with CreditKarma. Advertisement Credit Sesame is still a great option, but CreditKarma offers a few added perks. WalletHub offers the same level of service as any of them and provides updates daily, but selling your data to a third party sets them apart from the rest—and not in a good way. Speaking of security, you do have to provide your personal info to these services, but unfortunately, that’s the reality of monitoring your credit, (even if you do it once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com). Make sure the service you use at least uses encryption to keep your data secure, though (the above services all do). Again, if you have a credit freeze on your TransUnion and Equifax account, you’ll have to temporarily lift it in order to use Credit Karma. But “once you’re already registered, you can add a security freeze to your reports without affecting your Credit Karma account,” their site says. Security freezes only block access to Credit Karma during registration. Advertisement Finally, don’t forget to set up account alerts with your current bank and credit card companies, too. Most banks have settings where you can opt-in for alerts and notifications if your balance falls below a certain amount, or if there’s a purchase over a specific amount. Take advantage of these features. It’s not the same as credit monitoring, but it’s one extra way to monitor your financial life. Gadget News via Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com September 15, 2017 at 01:18PM
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Fill Up Your Toolbox With Four Great Irwin Deals http://ift.tt/2xCx7mI Today only, you can find a handful of popular Irwin tools on sale in Amazon’s Gold Box. The most popular deal here is probably going to be their wire stripper for $13, which has an astounding 4.5 star review average from nearly 2,000 customers, but you can find the rest of the products below as well. Just remember that like all Gold Box deals, these prices are only available today, or until sold out. Gadget News via Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com September 15, 2017 at 01:18PM
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Syfy’s podcast series is being adapted into cool animated short films http://ift.tt/2juSY9x Last week, the Syfy channel unveiled its Origin Stories podcast, a series of 15 episodes featuring interviews between Adam Savage and a number of well-known celebrities within the geek world. The episodes make for a couple of hours of solid listening, with the various actors, showrunners, and authors talking about their work and how they discovered science fiction. What’s neat about the series is that it’s not just a listening experience. Syfy is also animating some of the anecdotes that come up during the episode. The channel is spending September celebrating its 25th anniversary, and it’s kicked off the summer with an extensive rebranding effort that aims to turn the channel into an online home for geeks of all stripes, and this podcast and animated adaption is part of that campaign. We’re premiering the first couple of shorts from Frank Oz, Ron Moore, and Rick Baker, which you can watch below. The rest will begin airing on the Syfy channel tomorrow, and will also appear on Syfy.com. Gadget News via The Verge http://ift.tt/1jLudMg September 15, 2017 at 01:09PM
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The best monitor arms http://ift.tt/2jwNZ8k By Anna Perling This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After researching more than 60 monitor arms and testing 10 over the past two years, we found that the AmazonBasics Single Monitor Display Mounting Arm is the best for most people who want to save space on their desks. It accommodates a wide range of positions and angles to improve workstation ergonomics, and it's adjustable, easy to set up, and unobtrusive. It's also sturdy enough to support heavier monitors. Who should get thisIf you work at a computer for long periods of time, a monitor arm can help prevent back and neck pain by positioning the screen in an ergonomically ideal location. Alan Hedge, an ergonomics expert and director of the Human Factor and Ergonomics program at Cornell University, recommends that the top of a screen be about 2 to 3 inches above eye level, because human eyes see more below the horizon line than above. Monitor arms are also helpful if you alternate between sitting and standing at your desk or share a workstation with people of varying height. How we picked and testedEveryone has a different body and a different workstation, so the wider range of motion a monitor arm has, the better. A good monitor arm should support VESA mounts, the most common standard supported by most displays. Monitor arms must also sturdily attach to a wide range of desks and include cable-management options. We also like to see clear assembly instructions and a strong warranty. We tested by assembling each monitor arm, attaching each arm to a Dell UltraSharp U2715H (our previous pick for the best 27-inch monitor), and mounting each to a desk. For each arm we assessed the setup process, sturdiness, and the range of movement, and we had people of varying heights use and adjust the monitor in both sitting and standing positions. Our pick: AmazonBasics Single Monitor ArmThe AmazonBasics Single Monitor Display Mounting Arm is the monitor arm we recommend for most people because it's the most adjustable, the easiest to set up, and the sturdiest arm for the price. It has 13 inches of height adjustment, extends outward up to 25 inches, and can tilt 70 degrees backward and 5 degrees forward. You can also pan and rotate a full 360 degrees for vertical alignment. It comes with a 1-year warranty covering damage to the arm, but not damage to your monitor. The AmazonBasics desk clamp and VESA mounting plate are both sturdy, an absolute must for an arm designed to hold an expensive monitor. The wide, heavy desk clamp is easy to tighten, and in our tests, jostling the base didn't move the arm at all. We don't love the AmazonBasics Single Monitor Arm's cable-management system, which consists of a flimsy piece of plastic that hooks onto the underside of the lower arm plus zip ties that hook cables under the top portion of the arm. If the AmazonBasics arm's cable management doesn't cut it for you, we recommend the Velcro ties we describe in our home-office furniture and supplies guide. Runner-up: Ergotron LX Monitor ArmIf our pick is sold out or you don't mind spending around $35 more for a monitor arm with a longer warranty, we also like the Ergotron LX Desk Mount LCD Monitor Arm. The Ergotron LX is nearly identical to the AmazonBasics aside from the polished aluminum finish on the arm and base. The Ergotron also has a considerably longer warranty (10 years, versus the one-year warranty on the AmazonBasics). Beyond those differences, however, the Ergotron is equally sturdy, adjustable, and easy to assemble, which is why it's not our top pick: the AmazonBasics has the same features for a lower price. A sleeker-looking option: Fully Jarvis Monitor ArmIf you want a nicer-looking monitor arm and are willing to put up with a slightly more difficult assembly process, get the Fully Jarvis Monitor Arm. It's one of the best-looking monitor arms we tested; it comes in white, black, and silver. The Jarvis has a 13-inch vertical range, can extend 24 inches side to side, tilt 90 degrees, rotate 180 degrees, and pan 360 degrees. It also maintains the same VESA compatibility as our other picks, and comes with a five-year warranty covering damage to the arm only. The Jarvis was slightly more difficult to set up than the AmazonBasics arm, even though Fully released a video and improved the setup process since the last version we tested. In our tests, we needed a second person to help mount the monitor onto the arm, and thought balancing the arm while assembling the desk clamp was a bit awkward. For tall people at a sit/stand desk: Ergotron LX Tall Pole Monitor ArmIf you're over 6 feet tall and need a monitor arm to use with an adjustable standing desk, we recommend the Ergotron LX Desk Mount LCD Monitor Arm Tall Pole. In our tests, we found that the 7-inch pole in the regular LX arm wasn't quite tall enough to properly position a monitor for tall people, and the 13¼ inch pole in the extra-height version was necessary to achieve ergonomically ideal monitor heights. The LX Tall Pole is just as sturdy and easy to set up as the regular Ergotron arm; the two arms are identical aside from the pole length. For dual-monitor setups: AmazonBasics Dual Side-by-Side Monitor ArmWe recommend the AmazonBasics Dual Side-by-Side Monitor Display Mounting Arm for anyone who needs a dual monitor arm. As with the single-arm version, the AmazonBasics dual-arm model is sturdy and easy to adjust, and it has an impressive vertical range. It can support two 27-inch monitors and 40 pounds total. It offers the same features as the Ergotron dual arm, but it's cheaper and offers just a one-year warranty (Ergotron offers a 10-year plan). The AmazonBasics dual arm can adjust 13 inches vertically, extend 25 inches side to side, tilt 70 degrees backward and 5 degrees forward, and rotate 360 degrees. In our tests, both arms on the AmazonBasics held tension and were easily adjustable, moving from side to side, forward and back, and even vertically to accommodate for a range of dual-monitor setups. This model doesn't allow for stacking, however. This guide may have been updated by The Wirecutter. To see the current recommendation, please go here. Note from The Wirecutter: When readers choose to buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn affiliate commissions that support our work. Gadget News via Engadget http://www.engadget.com September 15, 2017 at 01:06PM
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Apple Watch Series 3 Limited to 3G-Like Speeds on T-Mobile http://ift.tt/2wvk01B Apple's new Apple Watch Series 3 models support LTE and UMTS connectivity, but on T-Mobile, LTE connection speeds won't be available. The carrier is limiting the Apple Watch to a maximum speed of 512kb/s, which is more like a 3G connection than an LTE connection. The speed limitation is noted in T-Mobile's fine print, which says the maximum wearables speed is 512kb/s. It's also noted on the pre-order page when adding an Apple Watch Series 3 to your cart. At issue is T-Mobile's ONE plan, which limits both tethering and all wearable devices to 512kb/s. While most users are unlikely to be streaming video or doing other tasks that require high connectivity speeds on the Apple Watch, the Apple Watch is also unlikely to be a data hog, so it's unclear why T-Mobile has this limitation in place. No other major carrier in the United States, including Sprint, Verizon, or AT&T appears to be throttling Apple Watch speeds. All four of the carriers are charging the same $10 per month fee to add an Apple Watch to an existing iPhone plan, and each one is offering a limited time promotion that waives monthly fees for the first three months. The LTE Apple Watch Series 3 models became available for pre-order early this morning, with new devices slated to arrive on Friday, September 22, the official launch date for the device.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 3, watchOS 4 Tag: T-Mobile Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now) Discuss this article in our forums Gadget News via MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - Front Page http://ift.tt/1ZNziIk September 15, 2017 at 01:03PM
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Video: Should you preorder Apple's iPhone 8, or wait for iPhone X? http://ift.tt/2x2347t The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are now available for preorder ahead of next Friday's launch. But with the iPhone X so close behind, prospective buyers may have a hard time choosing between the two. AppleInsider offers some insight to help you make your big buying decision. Gadget News via AppleInsider - Frontpage News http://appleinsider.com September 15, 2017 at 12:56PM
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Analyst says iPhone X supply will be low http://ift.tt/2fp3ElC According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the newly announced iPhone X won't reach supply-demand equilibrium for quite awhile after its release. In a research note for KGI Securities that was obtained by MacRumors, Kuo said that he doesn't expect supply-demand balance to level out until the first half of 2018 is over:
He also speculated that this supply shortage is part of the reason iPhone X won't be available for preorder until the end of October - the other reason, of course, being that Apple wouldn't want the iPhone X to impede iPhone 8 and 8 Plus sales. In another earlier research note shortly before the Apple Event, Kuo also mentioned supply constraints:
We saw a similar predicament with Apple's AirPods. After their (delayed) release in December 2016, they were nearly impossible to acquire from Apple Stores or Apple's website until very recently, causing many consumers to resort to purchasing them from third-party sellers (and even that was difficult). In the press release for Apple's earnings call released on August 1, Tim Cook said that Apple was still struggling to meet the high demand. In layman's terms, if you miss out on October 27th's preorder, it may be pretty hard to get your hands on an iPhone X for awhile. Thoughts? Questions?How do you feel about Ming-Chi Kuo's projections? Do you think Apple's new flagship model is worth the wait? Let us know in the comments! Gadget News via iMore - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch blog https://www.imore.com/ September 15, 2017 at 12:55PM A Beginner's Guide to Aerial Yoga http://ift.tt/2whnkCw
Whether or not you’re familiar with yoga, the idea of doing yoga in the air can seem ... odd. But not to worry: “Aerial yoga” doesn’t mean you’re going to be doing downward dog on a trapeze. Instead, you’ll be supported by a soft hammock, which allows your body to let gravity do some of the work. For our ongoing “Day 1" series demystifying the process of jumpstarting a new hobby or activity, we asked Lakeesha from Studio Anya for tips on what to expect in your first aerial yoga class. Tip #1: Trust yourself (and your hammock). And don’t forget to breathe. Credits: Senior Producer: Kiran Chitanvis Creative Producer: Jorge Corona Editor: Anders Kapur Associate Producer: John Dargan Gadget News via Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com September 15, 2017 at 12:48PM
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What to Do If You Haven't Filed Your Taxes in Years http://ift.tt/2jwq2Ou If the IRS owes you money, there’s no penalty for filing your taxes late. If you owe them money, things can get very ugly very fast. If you haven’t filed your taxes in years, here’s what you need to know. There’s a difference between failing to file your taxes and failing to pay them. According to the IRS, a surprising number of people don’t bother filing their taxes and claiming their refunds every year. Last year, the IRS announced $950 million was waiting for about one million taxpayers who didn’t file in 2012. There’s no penalty for filing a late return if you’re due a refund, but you only have a three-year window to claim it. So if you haven’t done your taxes since 2013 and you’re fairly certain you don’t owe money, you might be leaving money on the table. CNNputs it this way:
But let’s say you you don’t file and you do owe money. Or maybe you do file but you still don’t pay what you owe. Either way, if you don’t pay the IRS what you owe, you could be in trouble whether you’ve filed or not. What Happens If You Don’t Pay Your TaxesTechnically, not paying your past due taxes is considered a misdemeanor. Lawyers.com explains that this means you can be fined up to $25,000 for each tax year you’re delinquent. You could even be sent to prison for (a maximum of) a year! This is unlikely, as the IRS would rather collect their money than send you to the pokey. If you know you owe them money, you might be surprised at their willingness to work with you if you come forward. AsCPA Jeff Haywood told Yahoo Finance about clients who hadn’t paid their taxes:
There are penalties, however. The IRS charges 5% per month on what you owe, up to a maximum of 25% after five months. You also have to pay 3% interest along with a failure-to-pay penalty that’s 0.5% of your unpaid taxes for each month you don’t pay those taxes. The IRS has a full description of their late filing fees and penalties here. Advertisement Once you miss your payment, the IRS will send you a letter. If you don’t take action, eventually, things can get ugly. They can freeze your bank accounts, garnish your wages, and even put a lien on your house. While the government has up to six years to criminally charge you with failing to file, there’s no time limit on how long the IRS can go after you for not filing and paying your taxes. How to Fix ItThere are some circumstances in which the IRS might waive your penalties (but you’ll still have to pay what you owe). You need to prove “reasonable cause,” and according to the IRS website:
According to TaxDebtHelp.com, some common situations that might prove reasonable cause include:
Once you’re ready to file and pay, you’ll want to file returns for every year you’ve missed. If you don’t have all of the information you need to file, you’ll have to make your best guess when it comes to income, deductions, filing status, and so on. If you have old pay stubs, 1099s, or W-2s, obviously, you’ll want to gather as much of that paperwork as you can. You might also be able to request a transcript from the IRS with Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return. Check the box on line 8 and the IRS will send a transcript with information from any W-2s or 1099s filed. Advertisement You can also use the IRS’ Get Transcript tool to see what returns you’ve already filed and how much money you may already owe. Once you file your returns for every year you’re delinquent, you’ll want to pay off your back taxes and penalties. If you can’t afford it, consider contacting the IRS to work out an installment plan. You can also request something called an “offer in compromise,” which asks the IRS to consider accepting less than the full amount owed (we’ve told you how to do that in detail here). The IRS has a few resources that can help you get started, too. Check them out at the links below. Payment Plans, Installment Agreements Alternative Payment Plans and Hardship Status Gadget News via Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com September 15, 2017 at 12:48PM
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How to Get Up the Nerve to Go to Your First Yoga Class http://ift.tt/2x5Fhkv If you’ve never done yoga, it looks intimidating. People are flexible, fit, trendily dressed—wait, I might be thinking of Lululemon ads rather than actual yoga classes. It turns out you can have a great experience at a yoga class even when you’re brand new, and we asked yoga instructors how. Get out those Trapper Keepers and sharpen your No. 2 pencils—it’s Back-to-School Week! Going far beyond the classroom, we’re bringing you genius tricks and ideas on how to start routines, brush up on old skills or learn something new this fall. Advertisement You don’t need to be great at yoga to start trying to do yoga. Makes sense when you say it like that, right? There will be a learning curve, and that’s okay.
Try It Out at HomeAn easy way to know what you’re getting into is to check out yoga videos online. There are some great yoga sessions on our list of the best YouTube workout channels, for example. By watching, and by reading up as needed (the Yoga 101 section on Yoga Journal is great) you can become more familiar with the terms instructors use, and common poses and how to do them. For example:
Several of the yoga instructors we talked to suggested trying videos at home first, but one, Chris Lucas, points out that you can hurt yourself if you don’t know what you’re doing. He runs a video coaching service, so he would say that, but it’s a good point: if anything hurts or feels wrong, stop. You can ask an instructor about it when you see one in person. Find a Beginner-Friendly ClassYoga classes are everywhere: yoga studios, of course, but gyms also hold yoga classes and it’s not hard to find community events like a “yoga in the park” day. But if you want the most welcoming experience, take the time to do your homework rather than tagging along with whatever your yoga expert friend wants to do. That’s because even if classes say they’re for all levels, or no experience necessary, that doesn’t mean they’re beginner friendly. (Some are, but it depends.) I went to an “all levels” yoga class at a brewery once, thinking we’d do some half-assed yoga and then all go get a beer, but the instructor quickly talked us through a 75-minute flow of moves that she only described with their Sanskrit names. By the end I really felt like I deserved that beer. But if I hadn’t been practicing yoga for years, I would have been lost.
Call up the yoga studio (or email the instructor) and ask whether they’d recommend their class for a total beginner. If you’re still feeling nervous, and have a few bucks to spare, ask about a private session. With one-on-one coaching, you can ask all the embarrassing questions you want, and you’ll leave with a better understanding of what you should actually be doing when you come to class. Advertisement Jodi Gonzales of ArtYogaWellness suggests looking for a Hatha yoga class; these tend to be gentle and beginner-friendly. She also points out that hospitals and clinics sometimes offer “adaptive” yoga that is good for people with disabilities or health concerns. If you do have yoga-practicing friends, ask where they go and what they like about their studio or instructor. This isn’t really to suss out the level, but more to get the vibe of the place. Some instructors are very serious, and others are more laid-back. Some like to walk around the room and reposition your body if you’re not quite getting the right posture; others will stay on their mat and leave you alone. If you don’t have a friend to give insider info, it’s fine to ask the instructor these questions, too.
Prepare and GoA yoga studio will have all the mats and accessories you’ll need; just bring a water bottle. If it’s an event outdoors or in an unconventional space, you may need to bring your own mat. (Even if you’re going to a studio, it’s always acceptable to bring your own mat if you want. They won’t be offended.) Advertisement You don’t have to dress in all spandex, but you’ll want to be comfortable. Regular workout clothes are fine. If you wear a loose-fitting t-shirt, it may fall down around your shoulders when you do downward dog. Just be aware of that. Don’t worry about shoes; you’ll take them off as soon as you get to the studio. Get there early. Yoga classes tend to have a structured beginning, and it’s not cool to waltz in partway through. (I was late to a class once and the instructor had locked the front door of the studio. I had to turn around and go home.) Advertisement Since you’re there early, you’ll have time to introduce yourself to the instructor. Explain that you’re totally new to this, and let them know if you have any questions or concerns or if you have a nagging injury that you need to work around. Yoga teachers’ brains tend to be encyclopedias of pose modifications (“sure, if your wrist hurts in downward dog you could do this or this or this…”) and they’re happy to share. I also just like explaining any issues to the teacher so that if they see me taking extra breaks, they know why.
Once you’ve done that, set up your mat in a good spot. If you’re in the back, you can look at other students any time you feel lost. But since you might end up turning to face the back of the room at times, the middle might be a better bet. Ask if you need any accessories for the day’s class, like a strap or a block. Gather them by your mat. Then, just sit there until class starts. Or use the bathroom. For extra credit, sit up tall and practice deep breathing.
Enjoy the ClassEvery class is different, but this is one common structure:
The whole time, just listen to the instructor and don’t worry about what anyone else is doing. “The person doing some crazy stretch/twist/whatever is just trying to reach the same kind of deep sensation [they] had in their early days,” says Chris Lucas. Go at your own pace and work within your own capabilities.
Once the class is done, thank the instructor, and look for a spray bottle to sanitize your mat if you borrowed it from the studio. If you liked the class, make plans to come back again! And if not, it’s fine to go somewhere else next time, or to just enjoy doing sun salutations on your own in your living room. If you’re challenging yourself a little and having fun, you’re doing yoga right.
Gadget News via Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com September 15, 2017 at 12:48PM |
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