Having the desire to want to try yoga and get more into the practice is a great goal to have, especially as we are still fairly new into the New Year! There are many benefits yoga and similar activities like Pilates have to offer. (This post is a paid partnership and contains ads).
Joining that first yoga class, or rolling out your mat at home can be a daunting thought if you have not done it before! However once you start, there’s no telling how far you can go with it when you are committed to improving and doing your best. It can be a fun hobby, it can transform your body physically and create a whole new level of mindfulness for your head! Before you dive in too deep or put it off again, here are four pieces of advice for yoga beginners so you can have a positive experience that will set you up for the longevity.
1. Be Patient with Yourself
Yoga is fun and enjoyable to do but it can also be quite challenging, especially at the start. Be patient with yourself. It takes time to learn the flow of the routine, the terminology, the breathing, and the actual poses. Your teacher however is there to guide you and constantly remind you. Maintain a sense of humour and go easy on yourself as you work on your techniques. Know your limitations and respect what your body is telling you as you indulge in yoga more fully. Remember to breathe deeply and slowly and try to focus on finding harmony between your body and mind. The more you practice the more it will start to become familiar.
2. Take Care of Your Whole Being
You’ll do much better at yoga when you feel your best overall so aim to take care of your whole being. This includes eating healthily, exercising in other ways to build strength and endurance, and having good hygiene including washing your hands and brushing your teeth. Preventative care and actions are the key to success. These days it’s easy to book dentist online and get in so you can ensure your teeth and smile are in good shape. You should also get enough sleep and take breaks and rest when you need it. Drink plenty of water and try to avoid sugar, caffeine and alcohol before yoga.
3. Practise to Get Better
If you’re going to get better at your practice, then you should get in the habit of practising it at home more frequently. Make it a part of your routine and find time in your day to review some of the moves and breathing exercises. Attend longer classes every so often but also engage in short and mini sessions often. Even fifteen minutes a day of trying different poses and experimenting with what you learned in class can be helpful, and can be more beneficial than an hour once a week.
4. Avoid Comparisons
Your mat should be a place of calmness, reduced stress, and relaxation. You can make this even better by avoiding comparisons and not worrying about how your practice compares to others, how you look in class, or if you have a bigger body. Instead, look inwards and evaluate and monitor your own progress. The reality is that there will always be other people who may be better or more experienced than you. Keep in mind that it’s not a competition but an opportunity to focus on yourself, reduce stress, and gain strength and flexibility. Appreciate how much you’re improving over time and that you have a newfound sense of healing as it relates to your mind, body, and spirit.
If you’re ready to get started on your mat, you can join my 6-week Pilates Beginners Programme here where I take you through your Pilates programme from complete beginner to fully able over the 6 weeks! Do the classes as many time as you wish, PLUS get full access to the rest of my Anytime Studio!
