The yoga mat is an essential piece of equipment, as it helps you to stretch your muscles and relax your body. However, if you are new to yoga, you might not know which type of yoga mat to buy. We have prepared a list of yoga mats for different needs, so you can choose the right one for you.
Yoga is a very popular practice that has been used for thousands of years. It is a great stress-reliever and physically toning activity. But with the ever-increasing popularity of yoga, it is important to know the difference between beginner and advanced yoga poses. Beginners usually have a greater tendency to bend down, while advanced yogis can stand in lotus pose for a long time. Sometimes, an intermediate level of yoga poses is required to find your footing.
My first yoga class was a bit of a disaster. I wore a loose shirt, kept my shoes on, and couldn’t do any of the poses the teacher was teaching. I thought I would never be able to make much progress, but luckily I was wrong.
Now I always remind my new students that progress in yoga is inevitable. Come as you are and enjoy your first lesson, whatever it brings you.
Here are some yoga tips to help beginners succeed in their first class.
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1. Only do things that make you feel good.
If you’re in a position that feels unnatural, awkward or downright painful, stop doing it. This may seem obvious, but when you’re in a full class at a new studio and the instructor asks you to do something, it’s very tempting to skip it. In yoga, there should be no suffering. Remember, this is a reward for your body, not a punishment.
2. Select the correct class.
If you’ve never done the Downward Dog, don’t come to a Vinyasa Flow class and don’t expect it to be easy. Find a beginner’s class or something that has a beginner-friendly pace. It’s not shame, it’s just being polite to your own body!
If you don’t know where to start, call your local studio in advance to ask what classes they offer. If you’d rather take a few lessons at home first, try the free lessons on YouTube!
3. Don’t think about your appearance.
Nobody’s looking at you. Seriously, though. Whether you giggle at the word Rump or accidentally get dizzy from Happy Baby, no one is judging you because everyone has experienced it. And if anyone is passing judgment, they are in the wrong studio.
4. You are not bad at meditation.
Even if your thoughts are scattered across the shopping list, it’s okay. It is very difficult to keep quiet, and it is almost impossible to get rid of your thoughts. Remember that this aspect of yoga also takes practice, and while you are rising, you have already won.
5. You will never feel like an expert.
Even a front row handstand acrobat doesn’t feel like an expert. In yoga, everyone is in the same mental space; we all feel like students who still have a lot to learn, no matter how much experience we have with the physical practice. So stop looking forward to that imaginary moment when you feel like a pro, because it will never happen. And that’s a good thing, I promise.
With that in mind, enjoy the trip! Go there with an open mind and remember that ANYONE has had a first class and it’s perfectly normal to feel uncomfortable about it.
Remember that one day YOU will be a regular student whose practice is to be envied, and enjoy the time when you are still a beginner. It only happens once.