Beginning yoga? What I wish I was told

Nearly two years ago I was beginning yoga like you possibly are.  It was a wonderful and exciting time, discovering my body and finding peace and healing through the practice of yoga. I have compiled a list of the things for you of what I wish I knew when beginning yoga.

Beginning yoga starts at beginner yoga classes: This seems to be stating the obvious really, but you would be surprised at how many of us (guilty!) have made the mistake of going to an intermediate to advanced class and have walked away feeling completely overwhelmed! A good beginner class will build your confidence, teach you the basics, correct alignment and give you the opportunity to play and discover your body.

Beautiful bodies: Every body is different and wonderfully unique.  Take pride in your natural abilities, and take note to work on the other areas where you might struggle a little (for me it is hip flexibility and binding).  Accept that one side of your body may be more flexible than the other, and that your body needs to take some time to adjust and get used to poses when you are beginning yoga. Not all of us can do a headstand straight away, it takes time and effort, and that is okay.

Not all of us can do a headstand straight away, it takes time and effort, and that is okay.

Keep your practice on your own mat: When you are beginning yoga you may be told this and please keep this in mind!  I think we are all guilty of sneaking glances around the studio (or trawling Instagram), seeing how others are doing in their practice, and more often than not shaming ourselves that we can’t do a pose so well.  This really ties in with the above two points.  All of our bodies are different, and we have all been beginner students at one stage or another.  Don’t worry about what other people are doing in the room, set a focus for your personal practice, and stick to it. This brings me to the next point…

Intentions are great: This makes beginning yoga a lesson in mindfulness.  I know that I gain so much more from a class or practice when I set an intention for myself.  It can be to pay special attention to my alignment, to just have fun, to experiment with movement or to release the day’s tension.  The intention helps us to keep focused and get the most out of our practice.

What style? There are so many different practices out there, hatha, vinyasa, ashtanga, bikram, yin and the list goes on.  For me vinyasa is perfect for warming up on a cold day, while hatha yoga suits me to wind down for the evening.  For you it could be the complete opposite! Each style can benefit you in different ways and take your time experimenting and attending different classes to find what suits you best.

Immersion is fun: One of the best things I did when I was beginning yoga was to complete a weekend immersion course at a retreat.  It is a great way to get a well-rounded introduction to yoga, and to be taken way beyond the physical side of yoga practice.

Listen to your body: My favourite thing about beginning yoga was learning to listen to my own body.  Don’t shame yourself if you don’t quite feel like pushing into a pose or you are feeling a little unbalanced.  Sometimes we need to take it easy, sometimes we have a whole heap of energy to burn.  Your body will let you know what it needs, just pay attention.

But I’m not flexible/strong/bendy enough! The classic excuse that can stop us from deepening our yoga practice.  Don’t worry I have believed it too.  That is why you practice yoga!  You will get there and good things take time.  It has taken me two years to finally do certain poses and there is still a whole lot that I haven’t quite mastered yet.  Remember yoga is not just about bending yourself and flexibility, it is a journey with the mind, body and spirit that lasts a lifetime.