8 Practical Tips For Yoga Beginners

We often hear our doctors, therapists, friends or even strangers say, "you should do yoga!" And somehow we know this is great advice, yet to fit it into an existing health care regime, a busy daily life or even in our own minds, can be work in of itself.  Here are 8 practical tips for someone who would like to start practicing yoga.  

-Leslie Hunter, Yoga Instructor  

 8 Practical tips for Yoga Beginners

1. Attend classes conducted by an experienced yoga instructor who asks about your physical health and limitations. A skilled teacher is able to adjust the pace, and offer modifications so that your yoga experience is safe and fruitful.

2. Always show up on time. A well planned yoga class is designed to meet the needs of the human body and mind. Showing up after the class has started could lead to injury. The beginning of yoga class offers both the emotional body and physical body an opportunity for mindfulness.

3.  Eat after or 2-3 hours before class.  Its important to fuel the body however eating too soon before a class can be uncomfortable and distracting.  

4. Do not lock your knees in standing postures, despite what a teacher may say. If you feel any strain or sharp pain during sitting or kneeling postures, use cushioning (an extra mat or towel) under your knees or let your teacher know.

5.  Always keep your neck in alignment with the rest of your spine when arching backward. Do not let it flop back or down.

6. Let go of Ego. Get to know your body and its injury-prone zones.  If you have pain - STOP. Take responsibility for your own experience by avoiding the comparison trap. Yoga is about awareness and accepting what our bodies are able to do.

7.  Stay Interested. Try new things, do not practice only your best poses, but also work on poses you struggle with as well. Yoga classes offer the opportunity to experiment with stages of a pose. Small steps of progress are found though trying things out, not giving up.

8. Trust yourself. Some yoga teachers will assist students during classes.  A light touch can bring awareness to an area of your body you may not be connected to. If you are uncomfortable with touch or are working to the best possible edge of your pose, speak up and let your teacher know you do not want to be assisted.

As a beginner in yoga, you may feel a bit lost in the class. This is common. Everyone in the room has a similar experience going on in their minds.  Go to your first class with an open mind. In a world where we are always planning, expecting and trying to make sense of things, the unfamiliarity of practicing yoga is a gift within itself.  Try to enjoy the "not knowing."

Leslie and a team of yoga instructors perform a demo at Bust a Move last year.