Yoga for beginners: where to start, OK? & bull; hello healthy

When you hear the word "yoga", what first comes to your mind? A flexible body in a strange and magical position barely making sense on the mat? Combined facial expressions endure pain while confused trying to combine breath and yoga poses? Or the slim people in super-tight sportswear with brand labels resembling fruit names? Or do you immediately imagine a person sitting cross-legged with their palms together, a calm facial expression, and an upright but very relaxed posture?

If you have ever imagined one of the pictures above, then you are not the only one. Maybe you've been thinking about trying yoga for a long time, but still discouraged you from going to a yoga studio just because you don't feel flexible enough or don't have enough flexibility to try yoga. If so, then you must read this article thoroughly.

What do you really need to do to start trying yoga as one of your choice of routine activities?

Be open to trying new things

Why is this the main thing that you must have when you want to start yoga? Because, when you are overwhelmed with the thought that you are not flexible enough, not slim enough, old enough, or not sure that you can take a class because of the many poses you don't recognize, you need to come to a yoga session / class with an open mind. that you are trying new things that will require adaptation. This can help ease your burden when you see other participants seen already advance with difficult yoga poses.

Remember, yoga is not a competition. The important thing is that you have taken the time to come to practice on your yoga mat. And keep in mind, too, yoga is for everyone and all walks of life: young, old, slim, and the less flexible you feel, the more you need to practice yoga.

Try different types of yoga

This is important to do because many times after trying yoga for the first time, you may feel that yoga is not for you. Many factors make you feel this way, for example because your character is dynamic but you try Hatha Yoga which feels too slow pace-its, or vice versa, your relaxed person feels Vinyasa Yoga is too fast flow-his. Find out a few types yoga style here.

Apply yoga etiquette when entering the classroom

Come on time, turn it off ringer your cell phone, and if you come to the studio with a friend, lower your voice during the conversation before class starts. If you insist on leaving the class before the session ends, don't forget to ask the instructor's permission before class starts. Don't hesitate to tell the instructor that this is your first time practicing yoga. You can also thank the instructor directly if you liked the session you participated in, or if you have questions at the end of the yoga session.

Wear comfortable clothes

There is no need to be dizzy or insecure if you don't have a branded collection of yoga clothes when practicing yoga, because the most important thing is the comfort of the clothes you wear. Don't forget to bring a washcloth or drink bottle to make sure you don't get dehydrated in your first yoga session.

Don't hesitate to use tools

In addition to the yoga mats which are usually provided by the studio (included in the session / class fee), there are several studios that also provide yoga aids such as blocks and strap which can help you adjust to yoga poses you are not yet good at. If you place the aids on the side of the yoga mat, the yoga instructor will usually provide guidance on how to use the aids during the class. If you want to get more serious about your practice, having a quality personal yoga mat is highly recommended. It's like the best investment for your future yoga practice!

Say "thanks" to yourself!

Yep, it's important to appreciate your efforts to come to the studio to practice, sweat for more than 1 hour, and keep in your mind that yoga will bring changes to you both physically and mentally if done regularly. So, Don't forget to grab class schedule information from the studio and add it to your agenda. You can also buy a yoga package to make it more economical and of course more motivated to get back to practicing yoga.

Good luck!

** Dian Sonnerstedt is a professional yoga instructor who actively teaches various types of yoga from Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, and Prenatal Yoga for private, office classes, as well as at Ubud Yoga Center, Bali. Dian is currently registered at YogaAlliance.org and can be reached directly via her Instagram, @diansonnerstedt.