Yoga is a great way to improve your health and wellbeing, and it can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels. Do you want to start practicing yoga but don’t know where to begin? Don’t worry, we are here to help!
In this blog post, we will give you seven tips for getting started in yoga. So if you’re ready to start your yoga journey, keep reading for our top tips!
Who is Yoga For?
Yoga is for everyone. Yoga can be modified to suit people of all ages and fitness levels. Whether you are young or old, yoga can help you to improve your:
- Flexibility
- Strength
- Balance
If you have any medical conditions, it is advisable to speak to your doctor before starting yoga. This is because some yoga poses may not be suitable for certain health conditions.
There are even different types of yoga depending on what you are looking for out of the practice. Check out this article to learn how does yoga helps build muscle.
Lots Of Styles of Yoga But Just Have Fun
The following are a list of different types of yoga:
- Vinyasa yoga
- Ashtanga yoga
- Bikram yoga
- Kundalini yoga
- Iyengar yoga
Yoga is a great way to improve your physical and mental well-being. If you are looking to get started in yoga, follow these seven tips!
7 Tips for Getting Started in Yoga
Getting started in yoga can be a daunting task, but with our help you will be able to start without hesitation.
1. Start with Where You Are At
A big thing about yoga is being kind to yourself and your body. This means meeting yourself where you are at, in terms of skills, patience, and more. The first step is acknowledging that yoga might be a challenge, and that’s okay! You can start by looking for yoga classes that are designated as “beginner-friendly”.
2. Set Some Goals
Once you know where you are starting from, it can be helpful to set some goals. These could be short-term or long-term goals, but having something to strive for will help keep you motivated.
Some people set different types of goals based on their skill or interest level. The following is a list of goals you can use to set yourself up for success:
- To increase flexibility
- To improve strength
- To perfect your yoga practice
- To achieve a specific yoga pose
- For yoga to help with a physical ailment
- For yoga to help with stress or anxiety management
- Yoga as part of a fitness routine
Whatever your goals may be, remember to be patient and consistent with your yoga practice. You likely won’t see results overnight, but if you stick with it, you will eventually reach your goals.
3. Choose the Right Yoga Class
When it comes to yoga, there are many different types and styles. It’s important that you find a class that is the right fit for you and your goals. For example, if you are looking for a relaxing practice, you should try restorative yoga classes.
If you are looking for a challenging yoga class, try Vinyasa, which moves through yoga flows, or Bikram, which is when poses are done in a hot room.
A different type of challenge is yin yoga. Yin yoga focuses on holding poses for extended periods of time.
Keep in mind that any class can be modified for a beginner. If a pose is too difficult or complex you can easily modify it. The teacher will likely provide modifications throughout the class for you.
4. Connect to Your Breath During Yoga
Yoga is an amazing way to calm the mind, focus on the breath, and release tension from the body. But one of the most important connections you can develop is one to your breath. Breathing is an important part of any yoga practice. If you can focus on your breath and connect to it, you will be able to better focus on your yoga practice.
So how do you connect to your breath during yoga? First, try to find a comfortable position in which to practice. This may be sitting in a chair with your feet flat on the floor, or lying down on your back with your legs outstretched. Simply start by noticing your breath. This may seem like a simple task, but it can be difficult to focus on your breath when you are first starting out. Once you have found a comfortable position, close your eyes and begin to notice the sensations of your breath.
Pay attention to the way your chest and belly rise and fall with each inhale and exhale. Notice the temperature of your breath. Does it change from inhale to exhale?
Listen to the sounds of your breath on the inhale and exhale. Try holding your breath for a few seconds at the top of your inhale. Exhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth.
All of these are different ways in which you can connect to your breath. Having this connection will make your yoga practice easier as you will remember to breathe throughout the practice.
5. Do Not Compare Yourself to Others
As the saying goes, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” And the same is true in yoga. You do not want to compare your yoga journey to other people’s yoga journies. This is a quick way to find unhappiness and discomfort in your practice.
In yoga everyone is at different stages in their practice. Some people will be spot on with one pose that you may still be struggling with. Or maybe your downward dog does not look like the teacher’s downward dog. Whatever it is you can’t compare yourself to others when you take a yoga class or start yoga for the first time.
It may take a while before your body warms up and looks like those picture-perfect poses you see in magazines. Or, maybe your body will never get there. Either way you do not want to be comparing yourself to others during this learning process.
6. Stay Hydrated
Yoga may seem like an easy-going workout but it can be quite taxing on the body. Make sure you stay hydrated before, during and after your workouts.
Hydration is the key to a smooth practice. Remember to take sips of water throughout a class or practice. Staying hydrated will help you achieve a balanced practice.
7. Know Your Limits
Yoga is difficult. Whether you are doing yoga to exercise your mind or body or both, it will be a challenge. And that is ok.
Know your body and know your limits. Almost every pose in yoga has modifications. And if you get tired and need to rest, a child’s pose is always available.
In Summary: Getting Started With Yoga Is Easy
Do not be discouraged after your first yoga class. Classes can be challenging, especially for beginners. Use our seven tips to stay on track and get your yoga practice started today!