Do you want to try yoga but are too self-conscious? Are you hiding on your mat in the back of the studio behind the flexible super-practitioner?
It’s completely normal for a yoga newcomer to feel a little intimidated, especially when the thought of balancing on one leg calls up images of face-planting in front of the whole class.
You may not be able to snap your fingers and magically position your foot behind your head, but don’t be discouraged.
• Important things to remember as a beginner • Five tips on how to practice yoga for beginners; and • Frequently asked questions for beginners yoga
• Is Yoga Easy for Beginners? • 3 Important Things to Remember When it Comes to Yoga for Beginners • How to Practice Yoga for Beginners: 5 Tips • Beginner Yoga FAQs • Start Your Yoga Journey With Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi
Yoga consists of a wide variety of spiritual techniques and practices, designed to align the mind, body, and spirit using stretches, breathwork, meditation, and other mindfulness practices.
Yoga is a fantastic combination of mental and physical exercise, but if you aren’t very flexible or used to breathwork you may find yoga more difficult than the person next to you.
Nevertheless, beginning any new type of exercise regime isn’t easy.
It’s natural for your body to have difficulty bending to the movements often used in yoga sessions.
Even athletes can feel stiff practicing yoga for the first time.
Don’t let your body’s resistance to the postures discourage you from returning after your first session.
It’s completely normal for your body to feel uncomfortable, even if you practice stretching or consider yourself flexible.
• Age • Flexibility • Fitness level • Weight • Religion • Occupation
Just don’t be discouraged if you can’t do what other people can do. With practice, the stretches and movements involved with yoga can start to feel easier over time.
Like most exercise routines, it’s best to start slow.
Your body needs time to get used to the movements and acclimate to the new ways of stretching and breathing.
Start with two classes per week to allow your body to adjust without shocking your body too much.
During sessions, listen to your body. If you need to stop and rest during a session, do so. Taking rests during your session won’t inhibit you from seeing gradual improvements over time.
There are many different styles of yoga, but the purpose remains –– to move your body in a way that allows you to connect with your inner self.
It’s not about flexibility or contorting your body into impossible postures.
• Breathing • Finding inner strength through meditation, and • Creating freedom in your body
… as you move through the basic yoga flow.
Yoga can help you develop a practice designed to keep your body healthy and your mind and spirit open.
The first and arguably most important tip to practicing yoga at any level is to practice acceptance of your own range of ability and let go of expectations.
You must accept where you are today and love and appreciate your body for bringing you this far.
Let go of any expectations you have of how hard or easy yoga should be.
This attitude can help you in more ways than just yoga.
It’s a mindset you can practice long before stepping foot on the mat.
The sooner you accept what your body can do today, the more easily you can recognize the small improvements you are making with each practice.
• Flexibility • Range of motion • Strength • Balance • Inner peace; and • Overall well-being
The more you dedicate to your practice over time, the more benefits you may begin to experience.
Be patient and give yourself grace. Remember, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
No matter which style of yoga you practice, at its core, is breathwork.
Simply having awareness of your breath is paramount to growing in your yoga practice.
As a beginner, concentrating on your breath can help you connect with your body.
• Improved sleep • Reduced stress; and • Increased mindfulness
So when you find yourself working through a challenging stretch, notice the rise and fall of each inhale and exhale, and carefully guide your breath into your body with the intention of deepening your stretch.
Being still sounds like a very simple task.
We all crave just a moment to be still, yet we find it extremely challenging to do so.
We have become so accustomed to the hustle and bustle of our daily lives that it can feel uncomfortable to sit and just be.
• Racing through to-do lists • Ruminating about the past; or • Dreaming of the future
It’s no wonder our bodies find it hard to sit still when our minds are moving so fast.
In yoga practice, the stillness of the mind is often used to incorporate meditation and improve focus while holding stretches or balancing.
• Waiting in line at the grocery store • Sitting in traffic; or • Riding public transportation
… fight the urge to reach for your phone and instead practice one of the most basic principles of yoga –– be still.
You may even find that practicing stillness outside of yoga class can help to improve your concentration in your next yoga session.
Nothing is more discouraging than attending a yoga class with a teacher or a space you don’t connect with.
Do yourself a favor and find a class and teacher you love, and your practice will thank you.
Look for a space where you feel comfortable, safe, and inspired to practice yoga.
If you’re attending yoga classes for beginners or even practicing yoga for beginners at home, having the right instructor is a key element if you want to grow in your yoga journey.
Whether you prefer to practice yoga in the comfort of your own home or in person, Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi offers a 50-minute private introductory yoga session so you get the best-personalized recommendations and modifications from our experienced instructors.
Check out our memberships and pricing options for both in-person and online yoga classes.
You’re bound to find a few offerings of beginner yoga classes tailored to the specific needs of yoga newbies.
However, most yoga studios offer standard classes at various times where yogis of all abilities can practice together.
It’s always a good idea to let your instructor know that you are new to practicing yoga so they can correct your posture or help you modify any postures.
The equipment required for yoga depends on where you practice.
• Mat • Towel; or • Other accessories to help with flexibility
At many of our Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi locations you'll find everything you need to practice yoga. Thanks to the comfortably padded floors in most of our studios, you can leave your bulky mat at home.
While many beautiful and expensive clothes seem to be made more for the runway than the yoga mat, you don’t need to be dressed in the latest fashion to practice yoga.
Even the trendiest, cutest yoga pants won’t help you with your yoga flow.
Some people choose to wear form-fitting, stretchy clothes when practicing yoga, but that is a personal preference.
As a yoga newbie, opt for clothing that is comfortable and you can easily move in.
• Ability • Age • Weight • Athleticism; or • Experience
It’s always recommended that you consult your doctor before embarking on your yoga journey.
Yoga is a highly adaptable practice that can cater to many different ranges of ability. It's a good idea to let your instructor know about your physical limitations before the class starts, so they can help you safely adapt.
• Patience • Acceptance; and • Letting go of your expectations
In addition to finding the perfect instructor and yoga studio for you, remember that commitment and consistency are key to progress in your yoga practice.
A regular yoga routine can help you see improvements faster, along with increasing the length and number of your sessions as you develop.
Just starting on your yoga journey can be overwhelming.
Let the careful and experienced Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi instructors guide you to a deeper mind-body connection.
• Healthier • Happier; and • More peaceful
… lives through our unique yoga classes.
Choose from online and in-studio yoga offerings designed to help you develop the mindful breathing and relaxed concentration needed for yoga.
Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi is offered at 100+ locations, or you can opt to practice in the privacy of your living room.
Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi has everything you need for your yoga practice. You don’t need to bring anything except your willingness to connect with yourself.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you harness your brain’s natural power to achieve your mind-body goals.