So, you’re ready to start a yoga practice! Maybe you’re a beginner or you’ve been to a few studio classes and feel ready to integrate it into your daily routine. It can be intimidating starting something new - especially if you’ve looked at all the social media yogis pretzeling themselves into weird shapes. But you’ve come to the right place. At Humane Yoga, we’re all about finding ways to make a pose work for you - not the other way around. We’ve been doing this for a while, but we still remember our days as beginner yogis. We’re excited to support you on your journey - from near or far. So here are our top tips for how to start your yoga journey.
Try out different teachers and styles
If you’ve been to a yoga class that didn’t feel right - try another style or teacher. We’re all different, and sometimes we don’t gel with a particular person or style of practice. Maybe the Yang class felt a bit too dynamic - or you went to Restore craving movement and fell asleep. Maybe your teacher spoke too much about anatomy for your liking - or not enough! There are so many different teachers and styles out there these days. Don’t be disheartened if you didn’t love your first class. Many studios have introductory offers, trial memberships and beginners courses (including ours). So sign yourself up and taste-test all the goodness that yoga offers.
Listen to your body
We, teachers, mean it when we say to listen to your body. That can sound a little vague at the first cause, you know - your body can’t actually speak. But as you learn to slow down and tune in - you may start to receive subtle messages from your body. As yoga teachers and human beings, we are constantly learning new things. Back in the day, yoga was taught in a much more disciplined and alignment-focused way. But these days, we know that not every body is the same, and so what works for one person won’t necessarily feel good and safe for another. When you’re in a pose, instead of looking at the person next to you or trying to copy exactly how your teacher’s body moves - try being curious about how it feels in your own body. If it hurts - don’t do it. And if you’re still unsure about something - ask your teacher after class.
Modify and use props
As teachers, we know that the most experienced yogi in the room is probably the one taking the ‘easy’ option or using props. If your teacher gives you the option of dropping the back knee in a lunge, give it a go until you’ve built up your yoga fitness. If you’re invited into a simpler variation of a pose or to use a prop, then take it. There’s plenty of time for the fancy things later. When you first start a practice it’s a great time to get to know your body and where its parts are in space. Once you’ve worked on your proprioception and strengthened some unfamiliar muscles, you can start working a little ‘harder.’ But sometimes, the hardest thing is to go easy on yourself.
Schedule a one-on-one session
There’s nothing quite like a private session to help you understand the fundamental building blocks of yoga. Of course, you can go to a group class, and over time you’ll learn the foundations. But a one-on-one session will give you the necessary knowledge and tips to modify your practice immediately. You can then confidently participate in group classes - or start doing yoga from home.
Check out Humane Yoga’s upcoming foundations series for beginners and information on our private yoga sessions.