By According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 14% of Americans practice yoga. That’s not hard to believe when you consider how popular and, dare I say it, trendy yoga has become on social media.
Despite the trends, yoga is ripe with benefits for body and mind. If you are looking to start a yoga practice of your own, you may be curious about what you need and how you can get started. That’s why the team at YogaRIOT has created this list of 5 things that yoga beginners should know before hitting the mat.
5 Things Yoga Beginners Should Know
Learn more about yoga and how you can get started!
1. Yoga is about more than fitness
Yoga has a deep history dating back centuries. It has long been practiced as a way of connecting mind, body, and soul. It is about more than just fitness and health – it is a way of life for many yogis. By transforming yourself and learning how to connect with your body and mind, you can make your quality of life better.
2. There’s no prerequisite for practicing yoga
Despite the trendy yoga craze touting name brands and certain supplements, yoga-inspired foods and those gotta-have-it props – there is really no prerequisite for practicing yoga. Anyone can do yoga. You don’t need to be a certain size or fitness level to give it a try. And the best part is that everyone can benefit from yoga.
3. There are many types of yoga, so choose a style you connect with
When you start doing yoga, you will hear/read/see a lot about different styles like Vinyasa, Hatha, or Ashtanga. These are all styles of yoga, each with their own poses and focus. Before choosing a style, take some time to learn more about each one. You can also play around with the different poses and flows and see what feels best for your body. You aren’t limited to just one style, but it is helpful to start with one style and then move on to learning more.
4. If you are attending a class, here’s what you can expect
If you are starting yoga in a studio or class, you may find that things vary a bit depending on the type, studio, and teacher. But there are some things that are generally consistent no matter what. These are:
- Setting an intention for the class (stress relief, relaxation, etc.)
- Warm up
- Yoga
- Cool down
5. There is some basic etiquette you should follow when doing yoga with others
When you are doing yoga in a group, there is some basic etiquette that you should follow. For example, you should leave your phone in another room or locker. If you must have it nearby, keep it on silent and only use it for emergencies.
Next, make sure that your mat is in an appropriate location. Most yoga studios don’t have marks on the floor or designated mat locations. But you should try to follow the flow of everyone else and be considerate of where their mats are. Most often, everyone will arrange their mats in rows allowing plenty of room on each side for poses.
Finally, be on time to a scheduled class. This is out of respect for your teacher and others who may already be working on entering a relaxed state of mind. Entering during a class can be distracting.
Conclusion
Now that you know these five basics for yoga beginners, you can get started with your practice! Remember to relax and have fun as you do yoga. Never be afraid to ask questions or get guidance from someone more experienced.
