5 Tips to Begin Yoga

Getting started with yoga can be daunting. When I tell people about my love for yoga I often get two responses. Either ‘I’d love to get started but I’m not flexible enough’ or ‘I don’t have the body for yoga.’ My response is always wholeheartedly and enthusiastically the same. Yoga is for EVERYONE, with any body and flexibility comes with time but isn’t anywhere near the main goal of practicing yoga. Yoga is a tool for creating balance, strength and focus mind, body and soul. Everyone’s journey is different but I encourage everyone to start. The connection of breath and movement is something so simple but transformative and I hope everyone gets to experience that someday.

1) FIND A REPUTABLE TEACHER. Although yoga’s philosophy, practices, benefits and history are accessible for everyone online. It’s accessible in books and documents throughout time but the physical practice of yoga has many different elements. Pranayama, Asanas and Vinyasa being a few. Translated those things are very simply breathing techniques, postures and connection of breath and movement. The physical elements could seem daunting and unusual to beginners and that’s why I recommend finding someone you can trust to guide you through it. The more comfortable and at ease you are with the person or studio the more likely you are to relax into the exercises and experience yoga in it’s full capacity. Videos and sequencing that can be done at home are an amazing way to experience yoga in a comfortable situation but my personal experience is that practicing in the energy of other yogi’s sharing energy and being fully present away from the reality’s of your home situation can help you feel that much more connected to yourself and the practice. Some postures can be challengeing, body awareness and alignment is important to avoid injury so the support of a reputable teacher will ensure you practice safely.
2) START AT THE BEGGINNING. Marathon runners, profession athletes and weightlifters are probably extremely capable of tackling a 90 minute Yin class. People accustomed to gyms and fitness class situations alike, I would still recommend them to start with a beginners yoga class. Yoga can be less physical stamina and more mentally and emotionally challenging. A beginners class is a good way to ease yourself into the postures and breathing without finding too much frustration and confusion. I think a common misunderstanding is that a yoga class will make you instantly ‘zen’. I often experience a sense of bliss during and after practicing yoga but this hasn’t always been the case. After my first 90 minute Ashtanga class I was truly angry and frustrated from start to Savasana. It was too hard, I was exhausted, I couldn’t see how anyone could find any enjoyment in that style of yoga. I shared my feeling with a fellow yogi to which she replied maybe that’s a reason to do another class. She was so right. Often we listen to our ego when something tests us we ‘dislike’ it. We find reasons to avoid things and stick to what we know and love. If you’re unfamiliar with the asanas (poses) and the class in led in Sanskrit a class could be initially overwhelming. The awareness of breath or cue’s to breath could be dewildering … I mean of course I’m breathing I’m alive. I took another ashtanga class the next day. I breathed, I accepted my own body and my capabilities, I let go of my expectations and at the end of the class I felt bliss. This brings me onto my next tip …
3) BE PRESENT. So you’ve found you’re teacher and beginner class. You’re ready to go. You drop the kids off at school and hurry to the studio thoughts of after school clubs, packed lunches, excursion consent forms and p.e kits flooding your mind ; You rush away from work for your lunch break with your mailbox cleared thoughts drifting to what you have to do this afternoon or what you’ll find in your inbox when you return. Often our body is present but our mind floats away else where chasing the past or future. When we chose to attend a yoga class we’re actively deciding to give ourselves that time. Whether 60 or 90 minutes a one off class or 3 weeks of teacher training we’re committed to that. Showing up is only the first step. Consciously letting go of any thoughts of the outside world and allowing yourself that time for your breath and your practice is the most important step. Be present and …
4)  LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. During practices your lead through sequences of poses and often encouraged to push yourself using your breath to take you deeper into stretches. You know your own body better than anyone else and if you’re reached your physical limit, if you feel any pinching pain sensations or that you need to come out of the postures DO. A key principle of yoga is Ahimsa (non violence) and this includes violence to oneself. Forcing and pushing is not the purpose. Contorting and bending is not the point. Being present, accepting ourselves and allowing ourselves time to progress naturally is key. If you can’t do something today maybe you will tomorrow.

5) JOIN THE COMMUNITY. You’ve been to the studio, you’re enjoying the practice. You’re allowing yourself the time to be fully present and now it’s time to reach out. To inspire and be inspired. To join like minded individuals and grow your base of teachers into many new friends. Everyone has a different journey, interpretation and approach and when we share our experiences and learn about others we all expand our own understanding. Being human, accepting ourself and others, sharing light and love they’re really the only humble tips you need.

Yoga really is for everyone and I encourage everyone to find their yoga. Physical practice is really the tip of the iceberg, it’s a practice that you never completely fulfil. Even the most advanced yoga practitioners know that their is always so much more to learn. Whether your intention is physical health, mental wellbeing or connecting to your whole self yoga has something for everyone.

I hope these tips are useful to get you started along your journey. If you have any questions please message me, I’d be honoured to support you in anyway possible.

Love and Light,
Abbey