Yoga isn't a substitute for medical treatment, but it can be a good adjunct, Dr. Lakkireddy said.

Consult your doctor before starting yoga or any exercise program, especially if you have a health condition like atrial fibrillation, injuries or are pregnant. If you have high blood pressure, you may need to avoid yoga poses in which your head and heart are lower than the rest of your body, such as the Downward-Facing Dog, according to Anatomy of Hatha Yoga: A Manual for Students, Teachers, and Practitioners ^[1] by H. David Coulter, Ph.D. (Body and Breath).

Here's a beginner's guide to starting a yoga practice.

The Basics
If you're new to yoga, you need to learn the basics – the breath. Breathe slowly and deeply, through the nose and into the belly. By learning to breathe properly, you'll be mastering the foundation of yoga and all its postures.

Yoga works best when bookended by meditations, which help you relax and promote your full attention as you flow through your poses. Take a few moments before and after your routine to be present and focus on your breath.

You can adjust yoga to any level or intensity: Simply hold each pose longer, try more advanced postures, move more quickly between poses, or all three.

Beginners should do yoga once a week for 15 minutes and build up to practicing every day for 90 minutes; it's adjustable based on your time, schedule and fitness level.

Wear exercise clothes that don't restrict movements, yet are snug enough not to bunch up or get in your way.

Yoga doesn't need much equipment, except for a mat, which prevents slipping and provides padding (especially if you're practicing on a hardwood floor, in which case you may want a thick one). A block helps stabilize standing poses and a yoga strap lets you move farther into seated poses.

Here are some simple poses to get you started. By concentrating on your breathing and being present in the poses, you'll feel the benefits immediately. Don't be afraid to start slowly!