Are you interested in starting a yoga practice but feel overwhelmed or unsure where to begin? You’re not alone! Yoga is a wonderful way to improve physical health, reduce stress, and cultivate inner peace and clarity. However, it can be intimidating for beginners to navigate the many different styles, poses, and techniques that are part of this ancient practice. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips and advice for starting a yoga practice that will help you feel confident, motivated, and inspired.
- Set realistic goals: Before starting any new fitness routine, it’s important to set realistic goals that align with your physical abilities and personal preferences. If you’re new to yoga, it’s best to start with simple poses and gradually work your way up to more challenging sequences. You may also want to consider your schedule, budget, and lifestyle when choosing a yoga practice that will be sustainable and enjoyable for you.
- Find a supportive community: One of the best ways to stay motivated and inspired on your yoga journey is to find a supportive community of like-minded individuals. This can be a local yoga studio. At Yogaharta we do our best to bring our community together on the mat and off the mat with events and workshops, we have cinema nights, and philosophy classes where you get to come together and have a conversation with the people you practice with each day. The nights when we host Kirtan and singing circles is another way to spend time with the yoga community off the mat. Investing your time and money in a local studio not only gives you access to experienced teachers and fellow practitioners, but you’ll also have a sense of accountability and camaraderie that can help you stay committed to your practice.
- Invest in quality gear: While yoga doesn’t require much equipment, investing in quality gear can enhance your practice and make it more comfortable and enjoyable. A good yoga mat, comfortable clothing, and props such as blocks or straps can make a big difference in your ability to perform poses safely and comfortably. If Yogaharta if your studio then all of the props are provided for you and we only invest in the best props for our community to use, if the props are taken care of for you then buying yourself some comfortable yoga attire is going to make the whole experience so much for enjoyable. We recommend wearing natural fabrics such as Cotton, merino, and bamboo. while practising yoga you are helping your body flush toxins from the body wearing polyester or any plastic-based fabrics is only going to put more toxins into your body. this is counterproductive to the whole process of you coming on the mat to increase your health and well-being! Look after yourself and invest in fabrics that are not harmful to you.
- Practice self-care: Yoga is not just a physical practice, but a holistic approach to health and well-being. As you start your yoga journey, it’s important to prioritise self-care and self-compassion. This may include nourishing your body with healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and taking time to rest and recharge. Remember that yoga is not about perfection, but about cultivating awareness, presence, and self-acceptance.
- Embrace the journey: Finally, it’s important to remember that yoga is a journey, not a destination. As a beginner, you may feel challenged or frustrated at times, but these moments of growth and learning are an essential part of the practice. By staying open, curious, and compassionate, you’ll be able to reap the many benefits of yoga and develop a practice that nourishes your body, mind, and soul.
- Navigating class styles: This is entirely unto you and depends on if you led an active lifestyle already and are looking for something new and different to stay active. If this is you then it would be safe to say you can sign into any class and will be fine, it may be challenging at first but once you learn the fundamentals you will be floating through flows in no time. If you are just beginning to add movement into your lifestyle you will want to look for classes that specify “slow”, “gentle” or beginner friendly. The most important factor in starting an asana (the correct term for the practice of yoga postures) practice is open and honest communication with your teacher, let them know that you are new to the practice and if you have any limitations such as any injuries you may have, if you are pregnant or haven’t done much exercise before so they can best help guide you through the session. There is no need to be scared you just have to show up on your mat, that is your job. The teacher will guide you through your practice. That is their job. You don’t need to know what the poses are called or even know how to do them. They are intuitive shapes that our body loves to be in! Show up on your mat and enjoy the transformation!
Starting a yoga practice can be both exciting and intimidating, but with these tips and advice, I trust you’ll be well on your way to a fulfilling and transformative journey. Remember to start small, find support, invest in quality gear, practice self-care, and embrace the journey. Happy practicing and I hope to see you on or off the mat at Yogaharta Seaford soon!
By Cody Felmingham
