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by: Josee Madison - Palmetto Yoga
Who doesn’t find a new thing difficult to start, like yoga for example? If you’re anything like me, yoga was a struggle in the beginning. I had no idea what I was doing and what exactly yoga was. I felt like a fish out of water. I was afraid of weird looks and embarrassed in front of others. I was even worried about wearing the wrong outfit!
Over the years, I’ve learned many yoga tips and here are 7 tips that I found most helpful for me.
1) Keep it Simple. This is one of the most important tips for beginners. Your goal in yoga when you first start out may be to do all those super complex poses your see on Instagram, but your body may not be ready to do those quite yet. Start out with the basics, a Beginner Series. After a while and with a regular practice, you’ll be surprised to see what you can do!
2) Wear Comfortable Clothes: Dressing for yoga can be intimidating for beginning students. All you need is to wear clothing that is both comfortable and made from breathable fabric (like cotton, bamboo or jersey).
3) Be Patient with Yourself: I know how hard it can be to wait for progress when you first start out with yoga. I know I was impatient and wanted to force poses on my body that wasn’t ready. I could have created some serious injury. Enjoy your yoga journey and growth. The most important thing is not to give up, listen to your body, mind, and keep on going with some patience and motivation! You will get there – just keep on practicing!
4) Don’t be Too Hard on Yourself: Yoga can be challenging, especially for beginners. I experienced a lot of failures in my first yoga attempts, but I’m happy I did because only through some failure could I learn what I know today! Everything takes time and practice. When a yoga technique doesn’t work for you, try something simpler or ask your teacher to offer another option. Build your way up and, remember, the most experienced yogis started out as beginners too!
5) Yoga is NOT a Competition: Every student is different and will grow at a different pace. The speed in which you progress in yoga can vary based on your body, the amount of time you practice, and many, many other factors. Focus on your own practice and keep your heart open to learning about your body and your limits.
6) Don’t Stress over What You Look Like: No one is looking at you, believe me! They are way too busy with their own practice.
7) Find a Class that Suits You: Find a Beginner Series that will boost your confidence and help you build a steady routine. This isn’t a shaming thing, it’s simply being respectful and loving towards your own body and your growth as a yoga practitioner!
