This one goes out to all my yogi-wannabes who are a little hesitant about diving into the world of yoga. Just a couple of months ago I had little to no knowledge about the practice of yoga or what to expect, and can honestly say I was scared to step barefoot into my local studio. But #NoRagrets right?
If you’re currently wanting to get some feel-good exercise in and maybe de-stress a bit, but are intimidated by your amateur moves, consider these four tips to get you on your way to becoming the next yoga guru.
- Watch yoga tutorials on YouTube
This is the first (and cheapest) step to figuring out if yoga is truly for you. Yoga videos are great, because you can practice in the comfort of your small student bedroom with no judgment. You just fell out of tree pose? No worries, only your roommates were witness, rather than of a studio full of seasoned pros. Tutorials are also the best way to get familiar with popular yoga poses before going into class. Downward dog may sound like a move best kept to the bedroom, but it’s actually one of the most basic poses in yoga—and may I add, it burns.
- Avoid shorts
This might come as a bit of a surprise to some. Shorts are a staple when it comes to working out, but for yoga purposes STAY AWAY. There is nothing worse than leaning into Reverse Warrior and putting your hand on your leg just to have it slip violently off because your leg is slick with sweat. Wearing leggings helps give you a little grip for poses where your arms make contact with your legs and just generally do a great job of hiding how much you’re sweating. There’s a reason why Lululemon is known for their yoga leggings, and not just because they’re the comfy AF.
- Every teacher is different, inevitably making each class different
I made the mistake of assuming that even though a different teacher was guiding my yoga Flow class (that’s a type of yoga practice, by the way), that it would be the exact same as the one I had previously gone to. How wrong I was—each teacher has their own style. Some open with Shavasana, others open with chanting “Oms.” Some focus on holding poses for longer periods of time, others whip through sequences and really make you sweat. As you practice more and experiment with teachers and classes, you’ll find what teaching style works for you.
- Love yo’self
The biggest lesson I learned as a beginner yogi was to embrace my body and my own capabilities. Yoga is great for burning off some steam and getting your sweat on, but the practice teaches you a lot about your physical limitations and how to overcome them, whether it be by breathing deeper or taking a break to let your muscles relax. Yoga studios are also quite possibly the least judgmental places on earth. No shirt, no problem—guys and girls both. I personally prefer practicing in just a sports bra because I don’t have to deal with a loose, sweaty shirt and have never felt self-conscious about my decision.
Of course there are dozens of other tips I could give you, like drink water BEFORE class instead of during, or that Shavasana will be the greatest 10 minutes of your practice, but everyone experiences yoga differently. There is no right or wrong way to practice yoga, so just grab your mat and go.
Namaste.
