Top 10 Tips for Getting into Yoga Practice

If you are looking to get into yoga, then stepping onto the mat for the very first time will probably be the most difficult part of the process. There are numerous factors that tend to deter us including, time, lack of confidence, fear of the unknown, and not knowing how to choose the right teacher. The following are some of our top tips to help you to overcome these obstacles. We believe that, in the end, your physical and mental health will benefit greatly.

Do your homework

Look for a studio that provides classes that fit into your schedule and after you’ve found one…

Check out the yoga studio first

Make a point to visit the studio space as this greatly helps to ease your worries and meet with some of the team members who are more knowledgeable about everything yoga. You will find that a lot of front of house teams have a passion for yoga and will be eager to share their experiences and recommendations. This will help to establish a sense of familiarity for when you go back the second time to start your classes and within no time, you have a better grasp of things.

Start with a beginner’s class or course

These sessions are personalized according to your needs and will spare time to teach you the basics. Signing up for a course is especially an effective way of learning the fundamentals. It is also a great way of making new friends and getting accustomed to the local community.

Be curious

A majority of studios give introductory offers, which provides an ideal opportunity to take as many class trials as possible for a limited amount of time. Once you’ve joined a beginner’s class, you will have a great opportunity to try different teachers and styles. Yoga has a wide range of styles, it is, therefore, wise to initially try out different styles in order to expand your knowledge of this enriching practice. What you’ll gain from a Yin class will vary significantly from what you’ll gain from a Vinyasa Flow, therefore, there is a lot for you to discover.

Be open-minded

In case you treat your health and fitness as a ‘no pain no gain’ affair, then yoga will present a whole new challenge. While the asana practice(the physical postures of yoga) helps to build your physical health, yoga philosophy and meditation are essential for your mental, emotional, and overall well-being.

You are your best teacher

While you will have to leave the bulk of the responsibility to your teacher at the beginning, as your yoga practice progress, you will slowly start to understand that your ability to self-regulate is an integral part of advanced practice. If something feels out of place or you aren’t comfortable, then it is for a very good reason. Obviously, we might need to seek some advice or support, however, there is nobody else in your body apart from yourself, hence, no one else can know for sure whatever you are experiencing.

Explore props

There is an unfounded belief that people use props due to a lack of flexibility. However, props provide a great way of adjusting our practice based on our unique makeup. They can also help to make our practice more demanding. Classes like restorative or yin yoga that are focused on deep relaxation can benefit from the use of props. Hence, by attending one of these classes, you will get to experience how props provide support during deep rest and also more dynamic practice. Begin with 2 yoga bricks and a yoga bolster, which are the most adaptable props. Buy your own yoga equipment at Surplus Network.

Buy your own mat

In case you feel that this practice is right for you, then you should definitely consider getting your own mat. Having your own mat will enable you to feel more committed to the practice. Not only will you be rolling it out at home, but you will also be taking it with you as you travel. For the best mats, consider The Yogamatters Sticky Mat.

Keep in mind that yoga is not limited to the mat

Even though you won’t always be able to make it to class at all times, either due to work or family responsibilities, it is always important to remember that yoga is a philosophy that involves more than just physical practice.

Determine if you are able to add mindful moments into your day, for example, taking some time to monitor how you are feeling, giving another person full attention as you speak to them, or just taking deep breathes. By practicing yoga off-the-mat, you will come to realize that you can continuously practice yoga even in situations where life demands us to direct our attention to other areas.

Learn to relax

At times, savasana or relaxation can be the most difficult part of the practice. At first, it might feel strange to comprehend the art of just ‘being’ and allowing ourselves to rest. However, to us, this is just one of the great reasons why yoga is very special. Even when it feels unusual, just stick with it for as long as you can. It just might become your best part of the practice within no time.