Starting Yoga: 9 Tips for Beginners

If you are considering starting a yoga practice, exploring how to do yoga, or are curious how to start yoga at home or elsewhere, look no further. We’ve got some basic and not so basic questions answered, as well as tips and tricks for the yoga beginner. Getting started on your yoga journey is a really enjoyable one - so we hope you have fun with it!

 

9 Tips for Starting Yoga for the First Time 

In beginning a yoga practice, many people are completely surprised with how much yoga can strengthen their core and increase flexibility. Additionally, the sense of calm and mental clarity that comes with a good yoga practice are often welcome, yet surprising outcomes. Whether it’s a spiritual style you are looking for or a demanding physical practice, there is a yoga type for every preference. 

Generally, beginners have common questions when they start, such as; What kind of yoga should I do? How often should I do yoga to see results? How do I start yoga at home? How do I do yoga? These questions, among many others, are very common - and the answers depend on you. So here are our tips to help you begin your journey:

1. Find a Great Yoga Instructor

The practice of yoga is very subtle, yet specific, so it’s very important when getting started to understand how to perform the basics correctly. Empowering yourself with the knowledge of how to breathe and general instruction on the best ways to position yourself and transition through poses, will help you get the most out of your practice. If you do not have access to an in-person teacher, there are many online tutorials that can walk you through the basics for beginners. Here is further specific guidance on how to choose the right yoga teacher for you.

 

2. Respect Your Limitations and Be Kind to Your Body

In yoga, it is widely accepted that if something is painful, you should not continue to do it. It is likely that either you are not executing a position correctly, or perhaps you have a previous injury or issue that is causing pain, and you should not continue in a given pose. Experiencing pain is different than being a bit uncomfortable. Sometimes, a deep stretch may feel slightly uncomfortable at first, but you will find with the help of deep breathing and relaxation, you can work into it comfortably. Whatever sensations you feel, be gentle with yourself and do not push beyond your limitations - especially as you first begin to learn. Remember, yoga is meant to heal, not harm. This is a great article created to help assess your injury(s) before doing yoga. Remember, it can be as gentle or demanding on the body as one allows it to be, and that is the beauty of the yoga practice.

3. Be Open & Have Fun

While a yoga class full of people may appear serious and somber, it is also a place to smile, open your heart and share a loving energy with those around you. Even if you are practicing alone at home, make sure to be open to feelings of joy, elation, and have fun with all the parts of learning, including those moments when you clumsily fall out of a pose or feel you are inelegantly imitating a rubber band. Acceptance of yourself and all emotions are an essential part of a great yoga practice.

 

4. Experiment with Various Types of Yoga

While there are many types of yoga, many people find that they prefer certain disciplines over others depending on what they hope to get out of their practice. For example, some prefer more physically demanding classes, whereas others enjoy more spiritual, meditative classes. Whether it is transitioning between a few or focusing on one type - exploring the various options are one of the most fun parts of starting yoga for the first time. Here is a list of the 11 most well-known types of yoga:

1. Vinyasa Yoga

2. Restorative Yoga

3. Kundalini Yoga

4. Ashtanga Yoga

5. Hot Yoga

6. Hatha Yoga

7. Prenatal Yoga

8. Anusara Yoga

9. Jivamukti Yoga

10. Iyengar Yoga

11. Yin Yoga

5. Relax & Breathe

Focusing on your breath and breathing correctly when holding and releasing poses is an essential component of yoga practiced correctly. This goes hand in hand with relaxing in the flow of postures and letting your body guide you in what it needs. It is always acceptable to take a break, relax and breathe, when a break is needed. 

 

6. Use Posture Modifications

When working with a knowledgeable instructor or an online class, you should be provided various posture modifications you can use when particular poses are painful or too difficult for your ability or body. Often you will find it may be a single issue that you have to cater to, such as if you have a shoulder issue from a previous injury, or are sensitive to knee or ankle pain, etc. If this is the case, always be willing to speak up and ask for modifications if they are not provided to you. You can also simply skip any pose you find is not one you wish to take part in - simply transition to an alternate pose or rest.

7. Gear Up, When You’re Ready

Breathable, flexible clothing is the most important aspect of what “gear” you bring to yoga - first and foremost. You do not want what you wear to inhibit your ability to move freely. Beyond that, once you find the type of yoga or poses you prefer, you may find that a yoga block, bolster, or straps help you in doing poses in the most effective way possible. Ideally you can try these items out at a local studio during class to explore how they work and how best to use them. A quality yoga mat and a blanket used for ‘shavasana’ at the end of class are always great investments as well. 

 

8. Take Advantage of Home

Whether you start out at home or simply want to practice outside of a classroom once in a while, don’t hesitate to use your private space as a practice area. It’s best to make sure you have plenty of room and minimal interruptions, as well as either a yoga format you know how to follow or an online instruction video or audio available. Just like learning the words to a new song, you’ll be surprised how quickly you will come to know a sequence of postures by heart, and not need any assistance in moving through them on your own.

9. Set Your Own Pace

Depending on your ability, lifestyle, and motivations, yoga pace will be different from one person to the next. It’s always important to consult with an instructor and/or listen to your body to ensure you don’t overdo it when starting out. Soreness and minor body aches are common in the beginning, but also a sign of progress. Generally, you’ll find by mixing yoga types, you can work on different parts of your body, to have a more well-rounded experience for your mental and physical self. When people think of “results” as they pertain to yoga - most consider increased flexibility and improved core strength as the most beneficial outcomes of a consistent yoga practice - however, most instructors will urge you to measure progress by how good you feel, rather than a static measurement of success or linear improvement.

About Vivida Lifestyle:

Vivida seeks to build the best and most sustainable activewear and accessories for watersports, yoga, and life. Vivida supports a global community of like-minded individuals that inspire and empower one another to live balanced, healthy and fulfilling lifestyles doing what they love. Discover their collection of activewear for yoga and life that will fuel your journey and inspire an open mind with an open heart through yoga and beyond.

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Indie Bornhoft is a personal trainer and watersports coach, who encourages her clients to make movement their mantra. She has coached every ability in wakeboarding, paddleboarding, SUP fitness, and windsurfing for over ten years, and is highly qualified in all disciplines. Discover more about her drive to just keep moving and be inspired to connect to the raw power of body & spirit through fitness.

@trainwithindie