Deep, focused breathing is the heart of hatha yoga practice. To begin practicing correct breath, sit in a comfortable position and begin to breathe deeply in through your nose and out through your mouth. As you inhale, lift your chest and allow your belly to expand. Think of the air filling your lungs from the bottom all the way to the top. When you exhale, press your navel towards your spine and press the air out of your lungs slowly and steadily. Think about the air at the top of your lungs leaving first, then the next layer, and so on. Make a whispered "ha" sound in the back of your throat as you exhale. With practice, you can exhale through your nose while still making this sound in your throat. As you get more skilled, you can try to find a pause after each inhalation and each exhalation, rather than rushing to breathe. In the pause after an inhale, recognize how full of life-giving air you are. After each exhale, feel the opening of space. While technically you don't need anything to do yoga, there are a number of props and other materials that can make it easier for you to get started in the practice. You probably will want to get a yoga mat, which provides a non-slip surface as well as giving you some padding. You may want to get a thicker mat, such as a pilates mat or a regular exercise mat, if you are new to the practice or if you need more cushioning on a hard floor. You also may want to buy yoga blocks, which can help keep you grounded in bends if you are not flexible enough yet to bend all the way to the floor. Consider also including a couple of towels or a throw blanket with your yoga gear as well. These can be used to cushion your joints, particularly if you have stiff knees. If you're just starting a yoga practice, beginner poses can help you build a better awareness of your body. Most beginner poses don't require tremendous balancing or flexibility, and have longer hold times. Search online for good beginner poses. There are plenty of free resources online, with photos and step-by-step instructions, as well as instructional videos you can watch. Here are the names of some basic poses to search for: cat, cat-cow, downward-facing dog, puppy, child's pose, cobra, mountain, forward bend, seated twist, and wide-legged forward bend. You also can learn poses and sequences by buying a yoga book or video designed for beginners. If you've never done a pose before, watch the video once through before you attempt to follow along. Hatha yoga allows you to attain a greater connection between your mind and body by practicing physical poses or asanas. Understanding the relationship between the two types can help you focus your hatha yoga practice. Hatha yoga originally was developed to build strength and flexibility in the yogi's body, so that they could sit comfortably and meditate for several hours at a time. If you get to the point in your Raja yoga practice that you are meditating for extended periods of time, hatha yoga can help you. Ancient swamis also believed that having a strong and energetic body made it easier for you to attain the self-discipline and self-control necessary to advance in raja yoga.

Summary: Focus on your breath. Get the props you need. Start with basic or beginner postures. Learn about the relationship between hatha yoga and raja yoga.

Zip tools disconnect a higher piece from a lower piece. Reveal the nails anchoring a piece to the wall by sticking the zip tool under the bottom of the piece above it. To remove a piece at your eye level, slide the zip tool under the piece above that one. If you don't have a zip tool, buy one at a hardware store. It should cost around $5 and is perfect for removing the siding. You can also get a tool made specifically for removing siding, called a siding removal tool, for around the same price. The top piece will have a piece of channel, rather than another piece of siding, covering its nails. You may have to remove this top piece of channel to remove the top piece of siding. Slide the tool about six inches (15 cm) from where you inserted it and pry it upwards. Then slide it a bit farther and pry again. Continue this process going back and forth between sliding and prying until the entire length of the piece of siding is unhooked from the piece below it. Once the higher piece is unhooked from the lower piece, lift the higher piece up and look under it. You'll see the nails which anchor the lower piece to the wall. Use a crowbar, flat bar, or a claw hammer to pull all of the exposed nails from the piece of siding. Work methodically from left to right, taking care not to skip any nails. If you happen to miss a nail, the piece of siding will not come off of the house. A flat bar is the easiest tool to use because its shape works better than a hammer when removing siding. Find a flat bar at a hardware or home improvement store, or some big-box stores. After you remove the nails from the top of the piece of siding, it is still hooked to the piece below it. Place the palms of your hands on the siding and apply downward pressure until the piece pops free. If the piece still seems attached to the wall, gently pull it outward so it comes free of the channel holding it in place at the end of the wall. If the siding is hard to remove, try tapping it with the palm of your hand. If it remains stuck, double check to see if you have overlooked any nails.

Summary: Use a zip tool to disconnect two pieces of siding. Slide the tool sideways and pry upward. Remove the anchoring nails. Push the siding downward to remove it from the piece below it.

If the helmet requires a chin strap, check it before use. It should fit snugly, but not pinch. The chin strap shouldn't restrict your ability to breathe, swallow, or speak. It should not, however, be so loose that you can easily fit a finger between the strap and your chin. Many helmets come with removable padding that can be washed after use to keep them hygienic. It is also an option to buy additional padding to add to the helmet. You should only buy additional padding if you can not find a helmet that fits you snugly and properly. Check the helmet or have it inspected before each use. The helmet should not be cracked, missing foam, or damaged in any way. If the helmet is damaged, do not use it. Instead, return it to the store, or send it back to the manufacturer. If you must return the helmet, do not ride, bike, or play until you receive another one.

Summary: Adjust the helmet's chin strap. Try additional padding. Inspect before use.

Keep in mind that a glove's construction can vary by brand and model. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations regarding washing. Expect some to be machine-washable, while others should be hand-washed only. If in doubt, always hand-wash. Keep in mind that the outside of a garment experiences a harsher ride through a wash cycle then its inside. Protect the grips to your glove by turning them inside out. Reduce the chance of damage that might come from snags, tears, or wear. Expect top-loading washers to have a rougher cycle than front-loading machines. If your machine loads from the top, protect your gloves further by placing them inside a pillowcase or something similar and then tying it shut. Front-loaders' cycles should be softer on your gloves, but err on the side of caution if inclined and bag them anyway. Be aware that heat can damage your gloves' components, depending on the material used. Set the temperature to "cold" for both your wash and rinse cycles. Then select "delicate wash cycle" for the gentlest wash. Add a mild laundry detergent to the washer as it fills. Run your cycle. Once it's completed, lay the gloves flat on a surface or hang them on a drying rack or clothesline. Don't use the dryer, since its heat will likely damage the grips and/or other components.
Summary: Read on how to wash your gloves. Turn your gloves inside out. Bag them in a pillowcase. Wash in cold water on the delicate cycle. Air-dry.