Yoga for Beginners: 10 Simple Tips to Get Started

Namaste! The art of yoga is ancient and timeless and is practiced all over the world. It renders many benefits for your mind, body and soul and offers deep spiritual experience. People all over the world swear by its advantages and you are making a worthy decision if you have decided to start doing yoga. However it can be a little challenging for beginners to take up yoga as they may find it hard to relate to the joys of the activity. You may not feel comfortable with the postures and the instead of reaping the boons of yoga you might be failing to understand the basic techniques. But with time, guidance and regular practice, you will be able to understand the art and your faith in it will strengthen. Here are the basic tips on Yoga for Beginners for you to get started.

Yoga for Beginners

1. Make space  

Yoga for Beginners

Decide where you are going to be practicing yoga in your house. It can be a room or a corner of a room; once you have decided, gather all the things you might need during your yoga sessions and arrange them around the space. Try to incorporate inspiring images, statues, a carpet or light some scented candles that instantly gives your mind a boost. The place should emit vibes that inspire you to practice very often. The effect our environment can have on our attitude is amazing and you can use it to induce you to work harder.

2. Get a yoga mat

Yoga for Beginners

Using carpets or a rug to practice yoga is not safe and is unwise. Some postures require you have a strong footing and grip and if you slip you might cause yourself some serious damage. Get yourself a yoga mat as they firmly stick to the ground and provide excellent grip for your feet and hands. The chances of mishaps will be minimal and the mat will allow you to practice yoga comfortably. And if you still don’t believe us; borrow a yoga mat and practice on it. That is when you will realize why it’s necessary and the ease with which you will be able to practice yoga on it will make you buy a yoga mat for yourself.

3. Dress comfortably

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While there are all kinds of tight fitted clothes that you will find in the sports section of the mall, but you will need loose comfortable clothing if you are practicing yoga. While practicing yoga, your body will twist, turn and bend in all directions and you don’t want to restrict your movements because your outfit won’t allow. Opt for loose clothes that allow free movement for your body and spare you any uneasiness. And if you are practicing yoga somewhere other than your house, avoid wearing any jewelry or belts or anything that disturbs you. Yoga pants are just an excuse for fashion to intrude where it isn’t needed and you should know your priorities.

4. Stay empty stomached

Yoga for Beginners

Always practice yoga 2-3 hours after a meal. Since yoga is likely to pressurize your internal organs, it is advised to be empty stomached before your yoga session to help you avoid any sickness. Also, drinking water while performing asana is unadvisable as well. However you should increase your water intake throughout the day to flush out the toxins from your body that are released while practicing yoga.

5. Warm up

Yoga for Beginners

Now, this is a general thing that we do before any physical activity. Before you hit the yoga mat, warm up a little. You can either choose light exercises or you can stretch a little, the aim is to release the tension in your muscles and gets the blood flowing faster.  You will find it easier to do yoga after your warm up routine and it will save you from muscle pull or anything nasty.

6. Buy a CD/DVD

Yoga for Beginners

If you are a beginner and you know nothing about yoga poses, get a CD or a DVD of beginner’s yoga. They will help you a lot to learn yoga and it will help you upgrade you yoga level with time. You can buy a DVD with different yoga styles that suit you the best. And if you are fond of books, don’t think much and get some yoga manuals or guides that will provide you with some good suggestions.

7. Take it slow

Yoga for Beginners

You can’t do a shoulder stand on your first day and put yourself down if you fail at it. It takes a lot of practice and patience to be a yogi. You should know your limitations and should not try to force a pose on yourself. No one is good at it at the beginning and you have a long way to go before your body adapts to the yoga poses. Don’t be hard on yourself and don’t stretch more than you can. But you can always add little challenges by pushing yourself a little after you get comfortable in a pose. If you breath is light and long, you are ready to take your asana to the next level and if you are finding it hard to breath comfortably then you should stop.

8. Maintain a practice journal

Yoga for Beginners

To be regular in your practice, keep a journal and record your progress. Keep track of your practice; it will help you to you to monitor your sessions. And don’t just track your days; you can add a list of poses that you want to learn and the poses that you have perfected. You can jot down your experiences and observe your progress; it’s a great way to record your progress and inspire you to work further.

9. Wake up early

Yoga for Beginners

Apply the golden rule of waking up early here too. Mornings are the best time to practice yoga. The air is fresh and crisp and you are full of energy and your stomach is empty. And what can be better than doing your morning routine of yoga before starting your day! But to wake up early, you need to sleep early at night too. Lack of sleep can ruin the game and instead of being benefitted by yoga, you will be heading the other way. Stick to the nursery rhyme that you learned at kindergarten.

10. Keep yourself motivated

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It is really hard to keep yourself on track when you first take up a challenge. Sometimes we tend to lose motivation during the process and it becomes hard to practice yoga with the same vigor you started with. To keep yourself motivated you can ask a friend to attend yoga classes with you and inspire each to work harder. Practice as much as you can and you will definitely gain benefits from yoga.

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