“Saying you’re not flexible enough to do yoga is like saying you’re too dirty to take a bath.”
Anonymous
If you are reading this blog post, then I am sure I should say, “Welcome to your yoga practice! It’s time to get started.” Starting your yoga practice for the first time is daunting, there is no doubt about this. But it is also one of the most beneficial journeys you can embark on for your body, mind, and spirit.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious about starting your first yoga class, then I have 5 tips for you to make the process easier. As the wise soul Anonymous states in the quote above, no one is too inflexible, too old, too weak for yoga. In fact, you are exactly the person who needs it most. Here’s how to begin.
Tip #1: Do Your Research on Yoga Practices
The first tip I offer to you is to begin your yoga journey with a bit of research. It will not require hours and hours of work but take a few minutes to look at photos of common yoga postures and how to complete them. Our ABCs of Asanas series is written precisely for this reason!
Another option is to watch a beginner’s yoga video before attending a live class. By watching a video, you will not feel pressured to complete the postures with everyone else. Humans learn about moving their bodies by watching and mimicking others. Think about a baby learning to walk, jump, or dance. They intently stare at others before trying the movement out themselves.
After you have watched a beginner’s video, try some of the asanas out in the comfort of your home. By trying just a few postures in a space that is comfortable, you take away the pressure. You don’t have to think “What if I fall in front of others?” or “What if I can’t do this posture and look stupid?” because no one else is there.
Tip #2: Try Different Styles and Teachers of Yoga Practices
In addition to doing a bit of research, it is wise to plan out a variety of yoga classes that you want to try. There is practically a new type of yoga class I discover each day I look. If a particular style of yoga is not right for you, then make a vow to yourself that you will try another type before giving up on yoga entirely. Here are just a few types from the growing list:
- Vinyasa
- Restorative
- Power
- Bikram
- Kundalini
- Yin
- Ashtanga
Like the various types of yoga classes, there are myriad yoga instructors to lead you through your classes. It is okay if you do not feel a connection to an instructor, but don’t stop your yoga practice because of a lack of connection on your first try. Find another instructor and possibly another. Every yoga instructor is a different person, and just like in every other aspect of life, you connect with some people much easier than others.
Tip #3: Get an Accountability Partner for Your Yoga Practice
The third tip I offer to you is to find yourself an accountability partner for your practice. Find a friend who is starting her yoga journey or one who has already begun her practice to join you.
Chances are that you will get nervous before your first live class, and you can easily come up with an excuse not to attend. But if you are meeting someone or taking a zoom session together, then it is harder to cancel. Someone else is depending on you to show up, and this very likely will get you to keep your commitment.
Even when you have been practicing for an extended time it is helpful to keep an accountability partner. There will always be days when you do not feel like going to practice, but your partner can give you the type of pep talk you need to get you motivated again.
Tip #4: Get Props for Your Yoga Practice
Like tip two, in which you try out different styles of yoga, it is important for you to try yoga using a variety of props. Some yoga practitioners use props in every posture, others do not use them at all. It is entirely up to you to tune in to your body to determine what postures you require a prop for and which you do not. It is also important to remember while you are practicing that yoga props are not just used to make the postures easier. They are used to correct misalignments, build flexibility and strength, and advance postures. Some of the most commonly used yoga props include:
Tip #5: Let go of Judgement about Your Yoga Practice
Finally, the last tip I offer to you is to let go of your judgement. This is probably the most important yet most difficult tip to follow. In a yoga class, everyone has the thought that others are watching and critiquing them. In reality everyone is watching themselves in the mirror thinking the same thing.
The truth is that very few people are going to look like the yogis competing in an international yoga competition or the models on the cover of Yoga Journal. More likely the person next to you is going to have bent knees in his forward fold, and the person in front of you cannot get her foot over the top of her head in standing bow. The beauty is each practitioner is still getting the health benefits.
Now that you are ready to begin your yoga journey, we hope you’ll join us for a Terra Life Yoga class soon. Feel free to share your tips for beginning a yoga journey in the comments below.
Next week, look for our next post in the ABCs of Asanas series, focusing on Bridge Pose.
See you on your mat!
~Teriane
P.S. Have ideas for future posts? Let me know in the comments or via the contact page. Namaste!
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