Tip Talk Thursday & Beginners Yoga Tips
So you’ve decided that perhaps you want to take your interest
in yoga a little more seriously but you’re a bit unsure of where to begin. You
look into your local yoga studios and you get a little overwhelmed. Which one
do you take? How do you know you’ll like it? How do you make it stick? Once you
begin yoga maybe you realize it’s a little more challenging than you predicted,
so how do you push through that learning curve?
Well we have some tips here for any beginner:
1. Decide why you want to do yoga. Are you looking to extend
your spiritual practices and growth? Maintain good health? Help with a chronic
pain you’ve been experiencing? Each reason implies a different practice and
knowledge you could gain from the specific type of yoga that would be best
suited for you.
2. Buy a sticky mat. Well if you go to a studio, look into
renting one first- but either way if it’s something you are looking to commit
to, it’s a worthwhile purchase.
3. Eat something lighter before your class. Try to stick to
lighter meals that contain slow carbs and fibre like oatmeal, grains, fruits
and veggies a couple hours before your session. Always make sure to ensure you
are properly hydrated before class too, especially with hot yoga. Ensure you
drink a full glass of water before class (an hour or two before) to ensure you actually
have something to sweat out. This can prevent light headedness!
4. Work on the spiritual part. Yoga is much more than the
physical exercise. Learn more about the spiritual awareness and mindfulness as
you go.
5. Meditate. Learn more about meditation and pranayama
(yogic breathing) as they are two essential practices that compliment yoga. This
will improve your physical and mental health as well as make it a more
meaningful experience for you.
6. Seek support from a professional. Talk to a local instructor
about what would be best for you, even if you want to start just at home. It
allows you the chance to begin where you are as you can discuss your fitness
history, let them know about any limitation or injuries, and understand what would
be the best fit for you.
7. Set an intention. Your first few classes can be really overwhelming
so set yourself a goal for the class, whether it be to focus on your breathing,
practice not judging yourself, listen more intently to your current
surroundings, etc.
8. Focus on yourself. Yoga is not a competition and no one
wins or loses. You are there to practice progress, not perfection. There may be
others around you who can sit deeper into a pose, but don’t let that bother you.
Listen to your own body in order to understand how to better serve it and it’s
needs.
9. Enjoy your Savasana (the final pose). A lot people have expressed
distress during the final pose because they can’t seem to keep their “mind
quiet”. We are so used to always being on the go, that the last pose with no
movement can be hard. But you don’t have to silence your thoughts. Instead
notice them, release them and return to focusing on your breath when you are
ready.
There are yoga poses and routines for anything! Want to get
a better sleep? Feel more energized? Get more flexible? Address your back pain?
Relief for your stress? There’s a sequence for that! Just takes time and
research so get out there and find what is best for you!
Happy Thursday!
YWC
Sources
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