10 tips if you are new to yoga

When you go to a yoga class for the first time, you might experience lots of feelings - including nerves and/or excitement. You might also be looking forward to starting yoga but are worried about being the oldest or creakiest person in the room.

Try not to worry too much about these things!

We’ve put together ten top tips for anyone who is thinking of starting yoga. Hopefully these will be helpful and motivate you to get started with this wonderful tradition.

1. You don’t have to do everything

Lots of people worry that they won’t be able to do everything in a yoga class, which is a completely understandable concern. Sometimes there are things that we cannot do, and this is true whether we are a beginner or have more experience. The only thing that matters is that you try. We are all learning. Just do what you can on the day.

2. Drop what you know

Often we tell ourselves things that are not true. For instance, I am too old to do yoga. I am not the kind of person who does yoga. I am not flexible, I cannot do yoga. These beliefs limit us. Let go of these things.

3. Don’t worry about what others are thinking

When you are new to yoga you might worry that other people in the class will be watching you and making judgements about what you are doing. This is not how it works! In class, everyone is just concentrating on what they are doing themselves. Nobody is paying attention to what happens on other mats.

4. Join a beginners class

This might sound obvious but when you are new to yoga, a beginners class is the best place to start - even if just for a few classes. Lots of classes are described as “all levels” but in reality may not be ideal if you don’t already have a few classes under your belt.

In a beginners class you’ll be able to spend time understanding the foundations of practice, ask more questions and then move on when you are ready. You will also be with others who are at a similar stage of their yoga journey.

5. Use props

Props such as bricks, blocks and straps can be really helpful in your practice and are definitely not just for beginners. They can be used to help make many different yoga poses more accessible to our own bodies. They are not a cop out or a sign of weakness.

You can usually borrow props from a yoga studio or buy your own and take them to class.

6. If you don’t like your first class, try another

There are many styles of yoga and, within each style, every yoga class will be different. Every teacher will also be different. With so many variables, its certainly possible that you might not like something about your first class. Don’t let that put you off. If you liked the atmosphere at the studio, try another style or another teacher. If you didn’t like the studio, try another class somewhere else. The right teacher and the right class is out there for you!

7. Try an online class first

Learning yoga is best done under the direct guidance of an experienced teacher but if you really feel that you can’t step into a yoga class just yet, why not try a video class first and learn some basics at home?

8. Plan your yoga schedule

Research local studios and teachers and find the days and times of their beginner classes. Most studios will offer an evening and daytime beginners option and perhaps a weekend too. You might also be able to find workshops and courses. Most studios and teachers will offer a value discount offer when you sign up to a certain number of classes or series. This saves money and helps to keep you motivated and with regular practice you will see changes happening very quickly.

9. Talk to your teacher

If you have a historic injury, mobility issues, a chronic illness or recent surgery, always let your teacher know about this so that they can advise and support you in class. Most studios and teachers will give you a health questionnaire before your first class.

However, it is also a good idea to make contact ahead of time so that you can talk through any concerns before you get to class.

10. Keep practicing

Yoga is a lifetime practice and the poses that you learn in class are just the start, and a small part of a much bigger tradition. It really does not matter what any of your yoga pose practice looks like - it only matters that you are doing the work. As long as you keep working at your practice you will see changes in all areas of your life.

We hope these top tips have helped you to understand a bit more about yoga and yoga classes. We know that there are many, many other tips - and we would love to hear them!

Get started with yoga at Upward Frog

Upward Frog CIC runs regular weekly daytime and evening classes for beginners. Check our timetable and look for Beginners Yoga or Beyond Beginners.

We also run a popular six week course for beginners approximately every 6-8 weeks. You can find the dates for the next course here.