If you have never practiced yoga before, or if you are just starting out, the idea of yoga can be a little overwhelming. I often hear people tell me that they worry they aren’t flexible enough to do yoga, or they don’t have time for yoga. I’m here to tell you that you can do yoga. You don’t have to be able to bend like a pretzel to practice yoga. And you don’t have to spend hours a day practicing yoga. You just have to start.
Here are some tips for a beginner yogi:
- Props are your friend
Yoga blocks are fantastic for people who aren’t quite flexible enough to get into some of the poses. If you don’t have yoga blocks you can use a larger book as a replacement. Pillows are fantastic for people who experience pains during certain poses. Sometimes you just need a little boost from a bolster or pillow to give you a little comfort. Yoga straps or ties are a fantastic way to get a little deeper into your stretches.
I will follow up with a series of videos on using props for yoga poses. - Start with gentle yoga classes and poses
We all see the yoga superstars in their headstands and crazy twists and contortions. Don’t feel like you have to start there. Most of those people have been practicing for years or have no bones. Haha! Start with gentle yoga poses and gentle yoga classes. - Meditation is a great start
Did you know that meditation is actually yoga? Meditation is a key part of many yoga practices. If you start with just 5-10 minutes of meditation a day you will start to see a big difference in how you handle your day to day activities. You will have been mental clarity, stress relief and overall balance in your life. I want to encourage everyone to start a meditation practice. - Practice yoga on an empty or light stomach
Whatever you do, don’t eat a big meal before you practice yoga. You will have a harder time getting into the poses and focusing. I find it best to do my yoga practices right before I eat. Normally I do my poses before breakfast or lunch.
Are you interested in learning more about starting your yoga practice? I would be happy to help guide you along the way. I just need to know a little bit about you so that I can find some poses and practices that would best suit your needs. Feel free to fill out this short survey and I’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.
