Top 5 Tips for Yoga Beginners

In today’s world, everyone is looking for new and improved ways to stay healthy. There are plenty of fads, both proven and some not. Many people take supplements to help them fill gaps in their diet. (You might want to check out a site like Review Critic to discover how well your supplements may work, before starting them.) Others find new ways to include exercise into their schedules. As you probably know, yoga is one such form of increasingly popular exercise that can be extremely beneficial.  Is it for you though? Check out these quick Top 5 Tips for Yoga Beginners below to see how you fit in!

1. Follow your body’s lead
One of the most important things to remember when starting yoga for the first time, is that your body will not be used to the stretching and movements required for many of the poses. That’s OK! Don’t try to over-stretch or overexert yourself on your first class, or you’ll be pretty sore the next day. Start off slowly. Allow your body to gradually get used to the different yoga poses, and as you slowly and steadily progress, you’ll notice that your body will naturally fall into these poses more easily.

Only you will know if the stretch you feel is a good stretch or an actual pain. If you start to feel physical pain, stop doing that pose, and return to a more neutral position, like the child’s pose. If your body is just telling you that you are in a good stretch, great! Keep going with that stretch as far and as long as you can. This is how yoga will help you increase your flexibility and synergistic strength!

2. Wear the right clothing
In yoga, your clothing choices can either be a hindrance or help you focus on your practice. During a workout, you will be twisting and turning your body in ways which you normally don’t. While other workouts may feel more comfortable in sweats or other baggier clothing, it is the opposite for yoga. Slightly more form-fitting clothing is better, as once you start even with simple poses like the downward dog, your head will be lower than your waist. If you happen to be wearing a baggier shirt, it can fall, causing you to focus more on your clothing problems than the actual yoga exercise that you’re trying to do.

Another part of the yoga ‘outfit’ is to go barefoot. As yoga is a floor workout, bringing shoes in from outside also brings the dirt and germs from the street into the studio. No one wants to workout in a messy space. Also, by going barefoot, you will better be able to connect with the ground and feel how the different poses work for your body.

3. Focus on yourself
This is probably the biggest tip! Remember, not everyone in your class may be a beginner. Do not unduly compare yourself with what other yogis are doing. Focus on your own exercise and how your body is reacting to the different poses. And just think, eventually, after enough practice, you may be the person to watch in your class!

4. Find a good spot
When entering your first class, it’s natural to head straight to the back row. Everyone does it, and not just in yoga class! But, if you’re unfamiliar with yoga poses, it may be more difficult to learn from the back. Getting a spot near the front will help you be able to hear and see the teacher better. This will enable you to make sure you are on track and doing your poses correctly to get the maximum ROI or benefit for your time invested!

5. Enjoy Savasana (‘Corpse Pose’, or simply, total relaxation)!
This may be one of the hardest poses for any new yogi, even though you’re just laying still on the floor. You may be so used to living a ‘non-stop’ life, that the idea of taking those 5 minutes at the end of a class to keep your mind still and give your body a rest can even be stress inducing. But remember, this is you-time! Keep your mind in the yoga-peace mindset along with the naturally accompanying slowed breathing, and don’t allow your mind to wander to those errands you have to run, or what you’ll make for dinner tonight. These last few minutes of class should only be about you, how you feel, and allowing yourself to breathe in deeply, appreciate, give thanks and to relax after a great workout!

More and more people are starting on their yoga journey. It has many health benefits, including strength and flexibility training, heart health, and stress management. But, without knowing the proper ways to start on your own yoga journey, it can cause increased stress, which negates some of the benefits of doing yoga in the first place. If you’re thinking of adding yoga to your fitness routine. Just starting out in yoga, what kind of yoga are you trying out and what do you want to achieve? Let us know below, join in the conversation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! (Check out our other yoga articles that’ll encourage you to follow your own way Fit!)

Juha Pentinpuro

Juha is a gym enthusiast with Finnish roots and a strong interest in fitness and health related subjects. He's also keen on motorsports, tennis, cycling and beach volleyball in the summer months. He's particularly interested in bodybuilding and the nutrition that makes that possible. He believes that a healthy lifestyle is key to happiness.

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