I am finally giving you everything you need to know on how to get started with practicing yoga. Let's dive in. What is Yoga:
Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice meant for the betterment of one’s well-being. For a full description and history: Read More Here Types of Yoga: There seems to be about 11 different types of yoga. Each focuses on things like breathing, chanting, postures, alignment, heat internally and externally, strength, flexibility etc. Most well known are like Hatha, Hot Yoga, Bikram, Hot Yoga, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Yin, Vinyasa. I suggest trying out all types because I often hear people say they didn’t one or two classes they tried but it was really the style they didn’t like, not yoga itself. For a full list and description of the major types, read this article: Types of Yoga and this one too Yoga for Your Personality. Benefits of Yoga: Here is a comprehensive list of health benefits medically studied/self proclaimed from yoga: 38 Health Benefits of Yoga. Here is a mini list however:
Studios: It is pretty easy to find a studio if you simply search for one on a browser. I suggest trying different instructors and studios until you find a home. Pro: You get to have someone there to correct you to avoid harm and strengthen your practice. Can being around other yogis that can motivate you. A membership is sometimes serving as a way of holding yourself accountable to going on a regular basis. Con: Have to commit to going. Can be quite expensive. May not like the type of yoga taught/or the instructor Apps/Websites: There are so many options in the app store and online than ever before! Some of the best ones I know of and have used are these: There are tons so just look into them in the app store. They average 5-20$/month. Pro: It is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper to use an online service than a studio membership (unless you get one for free). You are not self conscious as a beginner. Can stop the videos to take a break. Easily accessible. Can do it anywhere at any time. Can explore all the types and endless instructors and classes without driving everywhere. Con: You won’t have someone there to correct you and align you. Could easily forget to do it/ put it off. You space might not motivate or stimulate you like being around others in a studio may. Mats: You do not need a super fancy mat, you just need one that will last quite a while. A lot of the cheaper mats will deteriorate and get funky faster. I have my suggestions but here is a list of the best kinds and reviews: Best Mats and Why
Props: Props are optional but highly suggested. Props can be blocks, straps, bolsters, blankets, etc. I like having a block! Straps are great for deepening stretches. Bolsters and blankets are great for restorative classes/poses. Here’s some more explanation on them. Apparel: You do not need fancy, expensive, color coordinated clothes to practice yoga. You just need something comfortable and breathable. Here are some tips: Guys/Gals: Get pants or shorts that are high waisted because nobody wants to see booty and if you’re self conscious about your body the high waistband holds everything in. Tank tops are my favorite because I like for my arms to have free range. Gals: Should get either a high neck or full coverage sports bra so the tatas are not in your face when going upside down. Guys: Be mindful about underwear choice because the poses can make let’s say boxers feel tight down there. BRING A TOWEL. Sweat will happen. Embrace it. Establishing the Practice: Alright so now I have given you all the background and tools, so you are wondering how do you turn it into a practice. Think about this: Doctors practice Medicine, Lawyers practice Law, Yogis practice Yoga. There are no competitions for yoga or rankings one can become (other than like a 500hr RYT but even those people don’t consider themselves experts). You practice yoga over time and you will grow from this. Eventually things that were difficult become easier like poses and transitions and styles etc. Consistency is the key component to this. I personally practice probably max 5 times a week. I practice when I feel like it for however long I feel like it. That can be gentle to hard, 20-90 mins, inside or outside. It is whatever I sense that my mind and body need. You just need to be committed to getting on the mat. Once you’re on it, you’re good! I usually leave my mat out at all times at home so it is in my face saying “get on me today please!!!” We all make time for what we want, if you make time for yoga then you’ll benefit greatly from it. Solo vs. Community: I started my practice at home solo. I was never interested in taking an in person class. Outside of the 1 credit Yoga class my best friend begged me to take with her one fall semester at UVA, I only had taken 11 in person yoga classes in my life. I love doing it alone and I love teaching it but I don’t feel the strongest desire to practice around others every single day. I simply haven’t found my yoga home yet and I am not searching for it either. Not having one doesn’t stop me from practicing. I know I’ll stumble upon it one day. However, the yoga community I am a part of through social media is fantastic. It is mesmerizing to watch videos of other yogis doing their thing and being able to interact with them from across the globe. So I do still have a community I am a part of, it is just virtual instead of physical. Therefore, I believe that you try out both to decide what feeds your soul the most.
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