04.06.2025
Yoga for Absolute Beginners
Yoga may seem intimidating to beginners who feel they lack the athleticism or flexibility to perform the feats they often see others do. However, you’ll see yoga is not so scary once you get to know it up close.
If you’re ready to begin your yogi journey, stay with us—here’s everything you need to know.
1. Define your Intentions
Before buying everything and enrolling in three different yoga classes, the best thing you can do is sit down and have an honest chat with yourself to determine why you want to start yoga.
Is it to improve your physical fitness? To unwind and reduce your stress levels? To aid flexibility? Or perhaps it is to build community and change your routine? Whatever your reason, it’s essential to remember to ensure your yoga routine is tailored to help you fulfil your goals.
2. Research The Type of Yoga That Best Suits You
Yoga is not a single discipline. Various types and styles are tailored to a different goal and skill set. Even within each style, you’ll find variations according to the teacher and technique they follow, so there is plenty of variety.
For example, Hatha yoga is the most beginner-friendly since it has a slower pace. On the other hand, the ever-popular Vinyasa yoga is deemed the most vigorous style, and it’s perfect for those seeking an athletic routine.
There is something for everyone, so keep your goals in mind when researching the best yoga approach.
3. Get the Right Props
Naturally, the most important prop is the yoga mat. It has to provide enough grip to prevent slippage while being reasonably cushy to ensure you’ll be comfortable.
Next, you need to wear the right clothes. Your top has to be narrow and form-fitting to prevent it from obstructing your view or flapping around while you do the poses. On the other hand, the bottom has to be breathable and flexible enough to give you plenty of movement.
Other props, such as yoga straps and blocks, could be a good investment if you plan to practice yoga earnestly.
4. Find a Good Spot
Whether you enrol in local classes or do it at home, choose a place where you feel comfortable practising at ease.
It has to be spacious enough to practice your movements at ease while providing enough peace to allow you to focus on your breathing techniques and inner space without distractions.
5. Keep to the Basics
If you research yoga online, you may come across yogis with impressive skills performing complicated poses. However, comparing yourself to them can be a terrible mistake, even more so if you’re a beginner.
Before running, you need to learn how to walk. As simple as they may seem, beginning with straightforward poses such as Child’s Pose or Downward Facing Dog is the key to understanding your body’s limits and building resistance to more complex poses.
6. Listen To Your Body
While you can follow countless poses and techniques, you must listen to your body before you listen to the instructors.
Does a specific pose feel right? Is it comfortable? Does it push your body to the limit without causing harm? Yoga can be challenging and make you feel sore, but it never causes significant pain.
If you feel a pose is causing you pain or significant damage beyond general soreness, skip it and don’t push yourself too much.
Don’t Forget to Trust the Process
Namaste, future yogi. You have all it takes to make it work.
However, don’t forget that while having an end goal is fun, yoga is all about the journey. Falling and tumbling are part of the process—don’t lose courage!