Beginner’s Guide to Beginning Yoga
Yoga has numerous benefits to it, physical, mental, and for some, spiritual, and I am glad you are interested in starting! Before I get too far into this post, I know what some of you are thinking, and trust me, I have had the same thoughts. While watching a video on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and now TikTok, you’ve said ”I am not flexible/bendy enough to do yoga,” or “I started too late to get into yoga,” or, last one, “I don’t look like they do so I won’t be able to do that.” I get it, yoga can be intimidating, and the truth is that most of those short clips on social media are a poor representation of what yoga is as a whole and account for a small percentage of the yoga practice. Don’t let fear of not being immediately great hold you back from trying something that can give so much back to you. In reality, how many things do you begin where you find yourself instantly successful and excellent? Not many! Let’s take a leap out of our comfort zones and begin something new!
There are many ways to begin practicing yoga, and each person will have their own preference of where to start. For instance, I started practicing yoga by watching and following along with yoga flows on YouTube, therefore I have frequently called myself a “YouTube Yogi.” Let me tell you about other ways to get involved with yoga. If you are a bookworm, there are books that discuss yoga in a variety of ways, from yoga poses and the anatomy involved, to the types of yoga and the history behind yoga practices. Reading about the poses, their aim, and even the history of yoga may help you understand the movements better than if you were to simply start practicing. I highly recommend going to a yoga class in person, where an instructor can assist you through the movements - depending on your comfort level you can sign up for large group classes, small group classes, or individual sessions for more attention and instruction. As I said before, YouTube/Instagram Live/Facebook Live can be a great resource for yoga, and there are many wonderful teachers that perform free flows each week. There is a downside to online yoga and reading books to practice, which is nobody will be watching you, and some of you are probably thinking “Great, I don’t want anyone to watch!” The perks about having someone, or others, around you are the guidance they can give you through the movements, having multiple people to watch as you may not be facing the teacher the entire time, and it gives the social aspect of yoga as well. The best starting block may be a combination of all of the above methods - go to a class, practice the physical cues given to you while doing a YouTube video, and read yoga books to learn about the different practices.
Before you begin your first class, whether online or in person, there are some pieces of equipment you may want to consider.
Yoga Mat
Yoga Blocks
Yoga Strap
Equipment is not necessarily required during yoga, but it helps people keep the movements safe and of good quality, even in positions that can be very challenging. Item one, which I am sure you’ve guessed already, is a yoga mat. Yoga mats help not only throughout the practice for gripping and comfort, but give you a set space where you can get into a certain mindset before practicing. There are so many yoga mat options out there, and everyone’s preference is slightly different, but I do recommend looking for a medium-high quality yoga mat if you plan to use it often, whether it be for just yoga or for home workouts, too. Some mats have alignment guides, which can be very useful during the different poses to ensure good form. Once you have your yoga mat, the next pieces of equipment I would consider are yoga blocks, they are very uplifting, literally! Yoga blocks are fantastic for the majority of the poses done in yoga, and allow
you to perform difficult or advanced poses with proper form, even if your mobility is not there yet. I use blocks nearly every time I practice yoga, and you can find them for an affordable price almost anywhere - from online to many retail stores. Now that you have your mat and blocks, the third piece of equipment I would recommend is a yoga strap - which often comes in a package with yoga blocks (how convenient, right!). Similar to yoga blocks, straps allow you to work your way into more advanced poses without losing good form or hurting yourself.
Other than the equipment I have listed, there are many other items you can purchase for your practice, and as you get deeper into yoga, you can decide what equipment is right for your needs! If you are hesitant about buying yoga props this early in the game then attend a yoga
class at a studio or fitness center, they will typically provide all the equipment needed and you will have the chance to ask the instructor any questions about the blocks, straps, mats, bolsters, and so forth. It’s a win-win!
Although yoga is generally a safe form of movement, remember that your body will need to adapt to the poses and new stresses on the tissues. I recommend that you ease into your practice and allow time for your body to rest between sessions. As you take time between yoga practices, you may be able to feel how your body responds to the new activity positively or if the flow was too aggressive for you at this time. You may find that you feel more open, energized, and/or clear-minded afterwards. If you like to journal or keep track of daily routines, this would
be a perfect place to write out your thoughts on how you feel the day of yoga, the day after, and so on until your next practice. Remember, yoga is a practice, and the more consistent you are with it, the greater changes you will see in yourself and the poses over time!
Now, all you need to do is pick your equipment, find your method of starting yoga, and begin! Good luck, you will be glad you began this journey!
- Dr. Kylar