8 Yoga Tips Every Beginner Yogi Should Know

Dec 15, 2018 12:30 PM +0000

I took my first series of yoga classes this year.

A friend wanted to celebrate her birthday with a hot yoga session with some of her closest girlfriends. I couldn't resist a birthday rooted in health; after all, holistic wellness is my thing. Contrary to my belief, though, yoga was not quite my thing – no matter how many times I had done it in my living room.

There were a few pointers that would have been helpful to me going into the session. Simple things like: downward dog at home is much different than downward dog in a 98-degree studio, and girl, drink water.

So, to provide you with a forewarning that I didn't particularly have, here are a few tips to help you as you begin your yoga journey.

Equipment.

Having the right equipment is important for making the most of your yoga experience. Before committing yourself to an hour-long yoga session, let's make sure you have the appropriate clothing and supplies:

Be sure to wear the right sized, loose-fitting attire for yoga. Tight clothes can restrict movement and force you to constantly tug on your clothes – reducing your enjoyment of the exercise. Clothes that are too big are equally as uncomfortable and may have a hard time staying on in certain poses. It's important to have clothes that allow you the space and comfort to move fluidly.
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Having a yoga mat may be a no-brainer, but having a yoga mat that accommodates your height — particularly for us taller women — may not be an immediate thought. While yoga mats tend to come "one-size fits all," I have purchased mats that were slightly shorter than the standard. After rectifying this by purchasing a mat that fits my needs, I realized that there are a variety of mat options. Not just in design, but in length and depth. Finding a mat that fits your needs — whether it's longer for your height, or thicker for your comfort — can be important for long-term participation.
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Whether you're doing hot yoga, or yoga in regular room temperature, there is a great likelihood that your hands will begin to perspire. This can make poses that require firm hand balance quite complicated to achieve. Bring a towel to either wipe your hands or place your hands on when your mat and hands get sweaty. This will keep you from constantly slipping out of position.
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Body Awareness.

Body movement is prevalent in any form of fitness, yoga especially. Paying attention to your body is equally as important. Below are some aspects of honoring your body you should be aware of:

A lot of the meditation properties of yoga, at least in my experience, are about connecting with your body and letting it lead. Sure, the instructor is telling you what poses to do, but your body tells you how far into those poses it can go. Listen to your body. Modify when you must. Take breaks when needed and trust your own limitations. Like with any workout, it is not healthy to push yourself past exhaustion. You must listen to the lengths at which your body can or can't go. If your body says no more, get back into resting pose and allow your body to reset. If your body says "I can go further," do just that. Don't sell yourself short, but also, don't push yourself too far.
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There's a reason yoga instructors tell you when to inhale and exhale. Your breathing plays a major role in how far your body can go into a pose. Sometimes an exhale dictates how deeper down into a pose you can go. Likewise, an inhale helps you elongate your body into a pose. When you master your breathing, you give your body the extra push it needs to settle into the pose you're attempting.
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The biggest mistake I made during my first session was trying to force my body into a position it was not ready to do. The instructor noticed the hard time I was having and whispered to me, "Do not force it, relax your body into it." What this means is to let the fluidity of your body rest itself into a position. Be gentle and kind to your body, not aggressive and forceful. Let your body take shape through your breathing and relaxation.
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Mindfulness.

Yoga is not only a workout, it's a practice of mindfulness and meditation. To make the most of your session, it's important to master this practice as well:

What I enjoyed most about yoga is that everyone is in a space of embracing their own ability. Once I realized that no one was watching me look like a fool, I was able to rest in the possibilities of my own body. You will not know every pose and you will not get every pose right – that is okay. The more I focused on myself, the more I was able to do.
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The atmosphere of yoga is relaxing. In our particular studio, the room was dimly lit and the music was low and soothing. The point is to focus less on the activity itself, and more on clearing your mind and trusting your body. To make the session most beneficial, it's important to identify how to come into your own peace, silence your thoughts, and push through.
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It may seem like a lot of overwhelming information for your first time trying yoga, but all in all: have the right equipment (comfortable fitting attire, a yoga mat, and a towel are a necessity), listen to your body (don't push it past its limit), and master your mindfulness (find your peaceful place in the midst of your exercise). Combining all of this will ensure that you have a wonderful first experience!

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Featured image by Thomas Barwick/Getty Images

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