5 Tips for Yoga Beginners

Woman Performing Yoga Pose in a Sunset

Are you a yoga beginner?

Are you interested in learning but don’t know where to begin?

Don’t let the terminology, advanced poses, or rich culture discourage or intimidate you. Whether young or old, beginner or yogi, yoga is a practice for everyone. Here are five tips to get you started.

#1: LEARN BASIC BEGINNER POSES


Before going all in, start slow with easy poses to get you comfortable with the practice. Like anything, you can begin with simple and easy-to-do poses and slowly become more advanced as you progress.

It takes time, so go easy on yourself.

Look up simple poses such as:

  • Child’s Pose
  • Downward Facing Dog
  • Cobra Pose

#2: FIND A KNOWLEDGEABLE INSTRUCTOR

Consider hiring an instructor once you have dipped your toes in the water with some easy poses at home. Practicing yoga at home is a good place to start, but learning how to correctly achieve the perfect yoga pose is best attained through a teacher.

Learning proper movement, speed, and overall good yoga practices can be challenging to do on your own, so look up a yoga studio near you with excellent reviews and sign up!

#3: WEAR COMFY CLOTHING

Group of Women Performing a Yoga Pose
Be sure to wear breathable and comfortable clothes for your yoga practice. You want to be sure you stay relaxed and capable of several different kinds of movement, so a pair of jeans and a t-shirt are not the best choice.

Before you strike your first pose, consider purchasing looser, athletic wear, and/or yoga pants if you do not already own them. While yoga is meant to strengthen your overall body, many people still suffer from back pain. BackShield® is a “high quality, innovative and comfortable back support product that improves posture and relieves back pain.” Visit www.backshield.com and get yours now!

#4: INVEST IN A YOGA MAT


A mat is important as it will keep you comfortable and will prevent you from slipping while holding poses. Buy yourself a non-slip mat and keep it clean. Be sure it is ‘sticky’ enough to keep you from accidentally sliding out of a pose, and soft enough to keep you comfortable while sitting and laying on the floor.

#5: GO AT YOUR OWN PACE AND DON’T COMPARE

Woman performing yoga pose
Take your time as you learn new poses. Listen to your body and if something doesn’t feel right, stop and reset. You won’t be able to hold the most advanced yoga pose on your first day and that’s alright! Be gracious with yourself, and avoid comparing your skill level with others’.

The more time you spend honing your ability, the better you will become. Set goals, and before you know it you’ll find yourself stronger and capable of more than you were when you started!

CONCLUSION

Yoga is for everyone. No matter your current skill level, there is always more to learn. Learn basic poses, find a knowledgeable instructor, wear comfortable clothing, use a yoga mat, and go at your own pace.

Have a sense of humor as you try, sometimes fail, and succeed! Follow these five tips and let us know in the comments below if you have any suggestions for best practices that have helped you as a yoga beginner!