Yoga is one of the most beneficial practices you can incorporate into your life. Many new students enter the exercise completely surprised by how much yoga not only builds core strength and flexibility, but soothes the mind as well.
If you are wondering how to start yoga by yourself, but all you know is the standard sun salutation and downward dog, there is an overwhelming amount of information on your doorstep. Do not let your lack of knowledge, keep you from investing in yoga. Read this, and other helpful articles, on yoga tips for beginners to ease you into the practice.
There are 8 branches of yoga, each with its own unique set of poses and themes that define that branch. Determining which one is right for you will also depend heavily on the classes being offered in your area.
In the west, styles such as Vinyasa, Kundalini, and Hatha yoga are some of the most popular. So, for simplicity’s sake, this article will focus on best yoga tips for beginners in these styles.
What You Should Focus on As a Yoga Beginner
Starting out at the beginning of anything can be intimidating. With yoga, however, the more you learn, and the more you notice your body easing into poses, the more satisfactory the experience.
Keep an open, healthy mind, and remember that starting out as a beginner is incredibly common in yoga.
More and more people are turning to the mat, so you are bound to be one of many trying out yoga for the first time.
Yoga is about slowly building flexibility, strength, and endurance. Keep in mind that very few beginners can do all the poses right away, and that’s okay.
If you are wondering what your first yoga class experience will be like or how to start yoga by yourself, this article will guide you through 10 helpful yoga tips for beginners.
Let’s dive in!
1. Find a Good Yoga Teacher and Studio
You want to make sure that you get the best bang for your buck when first starting out with yoga. Because of its blossoming popularity, some studios will charge far more than their class is worth.
So, look for a good, passionate teacher that works for a fair studio. You want someone that is passionate about yoga, is well-qualified, experienced, and personable.
You will also want to ensure that you are at ease in the class. Yoga is an incredibly enjoyable experience. When you really bond with your instructor and classmates around you, it becomes an even more rewarding experience.
Being comfortable with the instructor is crucial. You are there to learn and grow. For first-time yoga poses, you should feel comfortable being guided by your instructor when you are doing something wrong.
2. Never Compare Yourself to Others
While this also serves as a great general rule in life, it is also an incredibly important rule for enjoying yoga. When you compare yourself to others, you belittle your own achievements, neglecting how far your body has come and where you can grow next.
Be kind to yourself and your body and pay attention to your own limitations. This will help you blossom into your yoga practice in a way that fits you perfectly. If there was anyone yoga tip for beginners to remember for a comfortable, holistic experience, it would be this one.
3. Don’t Push Yourself
This goes hand in hand with not comparing yourself to others. You might be tempted to overreach on Trikonasana in order to match the teacher or your neighbor, but listen to your body.
Yoga is meant to heal the body, not harm it. Listening to your body’s current physical limitations is important in progressing through the practice in a healthy way.
Your yoga instructor will walk you through this as well, but women who are pregnant or menstruating also have to adjust various poses to work with their current physical state. This yoga tip for beginners is important in ensuring you have a safe, healthy, first-time experience.
4. Breathe, Breathe, Breathe
One great yoga tip for beginners at home is that you remember to breathe. Breathing is also important if you are looking to maximize the benefit of a beginner yoga sequence.
This is important to keep in mind as a new yogi. Classes will stress breath with each pose. Furthermore, each pose has its own pattern of breathing that follows inward and outward movements.
If you are building your yoga practice at home, don’t forget to monitor your breath! It has such power in completing the yoga practice that there is a name for it: Pranayama.
5. Don’t Eat Before Class
If this is your first time jumping into yoga, an important yoga tip for beginners is to skip your morning meal before heading to the studio.
Many wrongly assume that the workout is easy and a little meal beforehand won’t hinder your workout.
Yoga, however, is harder than people anticipate. You need to be fresh, ready, and not bogged down by a stomach focused on digesting.
6. Get Comfortable Clothes that Breathe
Your yoga teacher is going to want to see your posture as plainly as possible. This means that baggy t-shirts and sweatpants are not optimal yoga wear. Your teacher won’t kick you out by any means, but they will kindly instruct you to bring better, more form-fitting clothing to the next class.
This usually means leggings and a slightly loose butform-fitting shirt. Also, make sure these clothes breath and allow you to stretch comfortably. The last thing you want is to be restricted by your clothes.
7. Adjust a Pose to Fit Your Body
This goes along with not comparing yourself to others and not pushing yourself beyond your limit, but different poses look different for each individual.
When you are just starting out, your Parsvakonasana will not look the same as the teachers. He or she has worked for years to gain that kind of flexibility and strength.
This yoga tip for beginners helps you ease into the practice with confidence.
8. Get Comfortable with Your Teacher
This is important for ensuring your safety and comfort during the class. You should tell your teacher when a pose makes you uncomfortable, or when a pose frustrates you.
Forging a good relationship with your teacher also means you have a lot of fun during class. While many might be shocked by this, a great benefit to regularly practicing yoga is the ability to not take things so seriously.
A good yoga teacher will be an exemplary model of that, encouraging you to grow and laugh at the same time. This is an exercise of the body and mind, and getting close with your teacher will bring you closer to its overwhelming list of benefits.
9. Practice Outside of Class
An important yoga tip for beginners in building a solid foundation is to practice outside of class. Most classes meet once a week, and it is important to practice a few simple, basic poses outside of class to build strength and flexibility.
Make sure that when you are practicing outside of class that you remember the proper form to avoid injury. And, remember to breathe as well.
10. Relax, Enjoy, and Have Fun
Last but not least, just relax and slip into the wonderful practice that is yoga. This tradition has been around for centuries and has been known as one of the most powerful, healing forms of exercise in the world.
You are here to heal, both mentally and physically, from the stressors of everyday life. Don’t push yourself, and enjoy the subtle progression as your body grows stronger and your mind grows calmer.
Follow These Tips for a Great Yoga Journey
At the end of the day, don’t use yoga as art to show off, don’t worry about other’s progress, let yourself slip into the meditative pace, and take a moment to relax from your stressful day.
Yoga is a wonderful art, and these tips and tricks will help you appreciate it to the fullest.
So, which one of these yoga tips for beginners was your favorite?
Comment below to let us know!
Leave a Reply