I’m an avid Yogi and I have been for at least 4 years. Yoga fell into my life at a time where I really needed it and I’ve never looked back since! Yoga is a huge part of my day to day life and honestly, I don’t know where I’d be without it! For anyone looking for get into the practice and want to know how to start Yoga, today I want to share 7 really important tips and things that all beginners should know!
I’ve spoken about Yoga on my blog before and also mentioned it a fair few times on Twitter but each time Yoga is brought up, I always see comments from people saying they want give it a try but don’t know how to start Yoga. Or that they’ve tried it in the past but didn’t know what to do.
Related read: Yoga Essentials for Beginners: 6 Things To Start Your Journey
I understand different types of exercise benefit different people and I try to not ram Yoga down everyone’s throats if someone genuinely doesn’t enjoy it but… if you’re one of those people that like the sound of it and thinks it will benefit you but just don’t know where to start or what to think about it, this post is for you!
Today I want to share how to start Yoga and 7 important things to remember when you do!
1. You don’t have to go to a class: there are many fabulous Yoga DVD’s on Amazon also free Yoga on YouTube. If you’re not comfortable going to a class then that’s absolutely not the only way to do Yoga! If you’ve been around here for long enough, you’ll know how much I adore Yoga With Adriene, so if you fancy checking out some of my favourite videos of hers, here are 32 Yoga With Adriene Practices for Every Mood!
2. Yoga isn’t a competition and it’s crucial you work at your own pace and do what feels good for you: this is the key to Yoga, it’s all about you, you, you. There’s no right or wrong way to practice – as long as you’re sensible with the stretches and don’t hurt yourself then you have free reign to do you! Yoga is never a competition and anyone who makes it so clearly doesn’t understand the concept of Yoga!
3. You don’t have to get hot and sweaty: I know Hot Yoga is a huge “thing” right now but I wouldn’t be seen dead doing that! You can tailor your practices to how you’re feeling, if you don’t wanna get hot and sweaty that day, you don’t have to. I’m not a fan of getting too hot anyway, so the idea of hot Yoga really isn’t for me!
4. It’s brilliant for relaxation: Not only does Yoga focus heavily on your breath and breathing exercises, the act of taking the time to stretch is so beneficial for relaxation. You’ll stretch parts of your body you never ever knew you had! Some of my favourite practices are the slow and stretchy ones that really tend to the breath and allow your mind and body to relax.
5. Don’t take it too seriously: Yoga isn’t like running where you may want to hit a certain number of kilometers or weights where you want to hit a certain weight. Yoga teaches you to be present and focus on how you’re feeling right now. So relax with it, don’t push yourself into that pose if you can’t do it yet. Move around your mat. Flow. Have fun.
6. Yoga can be fun: And speaking of fun! There’s no doubt some Yoga classes out there which are super duper serious but if you’re a newbie, you want to enjoy it. I’d highly recommend trying Yoga With Adriene if that’s the case for you because she chats to you like a friend during the work out and you’ll finish it feeling super energized.
7. Sensation over shape: Can’t touch your toes? Who cares. Can’t get into that pose? Who cares. Do what you can do and that’s the importance of sensation over shape. Yoga literally emphasizes your pleasure – why wouldn’t you want to do a work out which feels good but is also healthy? This is the main reason why I don’t understand why people are so adamant not to try it. Why wouldn’t you want to do something that FEELS GOOD?
Do you practice yoga? What tips would you add to this list?
Liked this post? You might also enjoy more of my Yoga content here:
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Love this post! My favorite is ‘hot’ yoga but that may be attributed to the fact that I live in the snowy-Midwest where I freeze my face everyday so it’s kinda nice to defrost 😀 # 7 was my favorite point, Sensation over Shape absolutely!
Agh I couldn’t do hot yoga! I hate getting hot haha xxx
Thank you so much for this post! It was exactly the motivation I needed to start doing some yoga again! I find that the yoga classes in the gym often focuses too much on the poses and too little on the breathing and feeling, so I can’t wait to check out the Yoga With Adriene channel 😀
/ Sara
http://www.circusjourney.com
Ah you don’t want that! Who cares what it looks like as long as it feels good! xxx
True that!
Do you have any recommendations for yoga apps? Living in China, I don’t have great access to streamed videos online, or classes in English, or even a way to order English DVDs all that easily. So I wondered if an app may offer a few classes, etc.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I’ve done yoga a little in the past, and want to start now. It helps a lot after a long and stressful day – it’s become my little moment of peace and calm!
I really don’t I’m afraid! The only person I use now is Yoga With Adriene on YouTube xx
No problem! Thank you so much for your writing – love following along with other great bloggers!
Yesss! Sensation over shape! I feel like even in my own practice if I don’t feel like getting on the mat, anticipating the yummy sensations in the body is a good way to motivate myself.
Yeah absolutely me too!
I’ve just started yoga, second class tomorrow! After my first class I felt so different; relaxed, different body posture and so much more open and calm. 🙂
So glad you’re enjoying it (:
Awesome read! I agree. We live in comparison in so many aspects we forget the core of yoga. We forget to feel and listen to the body. It’s more about union than any thing. To connect. Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely true!
Nice Tips related to yoga. yoga is much more beneficial For every one. I am telling you on the behalf of my own experience. I am starting yoga Since 2016 and i realise the power of yoga and its benefits.
I love yoga! I’m still pretty much a beginner, but I love adding essential oils to help me relax and stay grounded during yoga or meditation 🙂
Ooooh essential oils, sounds lovely!
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These tips are fantastic thank you! I have been starting to practice yoga myself and blogging about it
That’s brilliant 🙂 glad you’re enjoying it!
So inspirational and Such an amazing Post and I love it.
Btw there is a new post on my blog on – my 2018 fitness routine- https://sunainadasblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/29/adding-yoga-to-my-fitness-routine/
Hope you will like it
Xoxo,
Sunaina
Thank you for posting this!
-Heather
momknowsjack.com
Welcome (: xx
great tips thank you!
[…] via Tips for people who want to get into yoga — Jenny in Neverland […]
Loved what you wrote!!! Great tips! I wanted to try Yoga for so long but was too embarrassed to try and then I just went for it a few months ago and now I cannot imagine my life without it!
I’m so glad! That’s why I love Home practices because there’s no place to be embarrassed xx
[…] http://jennyinneverland.com/2017/12/01/tips-for-people-who-want-to-get-into-yoga/ […]
I am starting to get into yoga and so far I am loving it. I come out so relaxed and content! I made it my goal for 2018 to do it weekly and you are absolutely right, you stretch parts of your body you didn’t know existed!!! 🙂 xx
Yay that’s great news so glad it’s working well for you! xxx
I too recommend Yoga with Adriene. I am just starting her new 30day challenge and writing one line a day about my yoga experience.
I’m starting that today too!
Oh Fab 😃 we can chat about our experience. I am new to blogging so I’m gonna have to figure out how to follow you but come follow my January blog we’re I write about it 😁
I regularly do yoga and yes yoga with adrienne is my go to always!! Shes amazing, yoga has helped my relaxation and anxiety so much xx
She’s absolutely incredible isn’t she!
Nice tips😁 thanks
You’re welcome x
Hi Jenny, great post. I started Hatha yoga three months ago. I can touch my toes at last for the first time in two decades! Awesome! The new flexibility I have gained is good, but I really enjoy the meditative aspect. That is one of the reasons why I chose Hatha. Have a Merry Christmas! Love your blog.
That’s great news so glad to hear you’re getting on with yoga so well! Merry Christmas to you too xx
Thanks Jenny! I am going to start yoga in 2018. I find just going to the gym and doing cardio and strength training doesn’t give you the great feeling you get after stretching. Can’t wait to feel energized and relaxed!
Hope you get on amazingly with it! xx
Great tips! I agree with all of them. I’m currently doing my yoga teacher training, and I am definitely not flexible or able to do any and all of the poses. But yoga is a journey, not a final destination 🙂
Love that quote! You’re so right (: xxx
I’ve never tried yoga but I did do pilates for a while and loved it. I think Yoga is a little different but I’d be very tempted to give it a go, I certainly need to work on my core strength,
Hannah @ The Northern Writes | http://www.thenorthernwrites.co.uk
Yeah I think they’re pretty different although I’ve never tried pilates and have no idea how it differs! You can get some fab core workouts in yoga xxx
Point 2 is soo important! Thanks for reminding me!
You’re welcome (: xxx
I’m currently trying to work on my health and fitness as I climbed a mountain the other day and nearly died in the process, haha. I’ve been thinking about incorporating yoga into my routine as I love the idea of something that is good for your mind as well as your body – and hopefully it could help with my anxiety. Thanks to you, I’m definitely going to give Yoga With Adriene a shot!
Beth x
You climbed a mountain?! Bloody hell haha! Well I’m glad it didn’t kill you! Yoga is great to add in even if you do lots of other exercises because the stretches are invaluable! Yoga With Adriene has some great stretch orientated videos which aren’t as high intensity but you definitely feel it afterwards xxx
Good post 🙂 I’ve been trying to get into yoga for sometime, but find it really hard to fit it in, although it really does help with the anxiousness.
It’s difficult if you’ve got a busy lifestyle but I think once you set aside that time however many times a week you want to practice then it falls into place. Maybe try a few shorter practices? Yoga With Adriene has a range some of them are only 15/20 mind!
Ah I love a bit of yoga, I just wish I had the motivation to carry it on haha. I may pick it up again now that I’ve got loads of spare time! It’s so relaxing and a great way to stretch the body.
Claudia xo
I think once you have that motivational seed planted it’s VERY hard to not want to do it. Once you know how good you feel afterwards (: xxx
This is great! I used to practice yoga and I loved it, but since having two babies and a little weight gain my confidence in the practice has flattened but I’ve been wanting for so long to get back into it but after reading your post, I think I might pick it up again slowly but surely!
I’m so glad to hear that!
I have done yoga before but never seriously, maybe I’ll start back up again.
A Sparkle Of Grace
Would definitely recommend to anyone!
I did yoga for a while very consistently….and then I got out of the habit! I am trying to get back into it now because my body feels awful right now. Unbelievably tight and just plain uncomfortable.
I use the YogabyCandace app and love her!
Thanks for the recommendation!
I tried Yoga a few months ago, but had to stop for medical reasons. I honestly can’t wait until I’m okay to give it another shot! I loved just sitting aside and forgetting everything just for a little!
JustTheBeginning-x.com | Latest blog post: Decorating for Christmas – BLOGMAS Day 1
Absolutely! You can still make use of yoga which focuses on mind and breathing I hope? Xxx
I tried yoga once before, I went to a class with a friend but we were asked to leave because halfway through the class a seagull on the roof could be heard squawking down the chimney and we both got uncontrollable giggles! I’m going to ask my osteopath whether she thinks yoga might be OK for me (I have a slipped disc so need to be careful) and if so what type. Thanks for the reminder, Jenny, somehow this had slipped off my To Do List! x
Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com
Haha whoops! Maybe try home yoga instead? (; yes definitely ask! There will definitely be poses that will benefit you and won’t damage your back xxx
Absolutely agree with all tips here. I have been doing yoga since i was a teenager with my mum and I still get stiff! It’s really important to just go at your own pace, I had a knee injury a couple of years ago and it completely changed my yoga practise but guess what i could still do yoga even when i couldn’t run or swim! Definitely good for winding down morning or night. Ps also watch Adrianna and Cadance too 🙂
Jen xxx
Absolutely! Yoga is so beneficial for injuries and strains too. You just have to adapt (: xxx
I totally agree with your tips here 🙂 Yoga has made such a difference in my life – particularly since having a baby and finding I can’t bend like I used to! I really treasure the quiet time it gives me to clear my head. I would add that it helps to find a small neighborhood studio. The bigger ones make it harder for you to connect with the teacher and build a relationship. I’ve always found smaller studios much more welcoming!
That’s a good tip! I do yoga at home and haven’t been to a class – I’d like to one day though but I’d definitely chose a small one over a big one!
I’ve never properly tried yoga, I did a bit on the Nintendo wii because why not but never really gave it a second thought.
Now I’m wondering if it would be beneficial to my running as well as my Mh … maybe something to think about for the new year!
Great post!
Absolutely! Yoga With Adrienne which I mentioned, she makes videos for specific things and I’m sure I’ve seen a “Yoga for Runners” video on her channel! She does plenty of Yoga for relaxation, Yoga for stress, yoga for anxiety etc! (: xxx
Great post Jenny! 💕 I am another Yoga with Adrienne fan! She is absolutely brilliant ☺️. No matter how I’m feeling before, yoga always makes me feel better. All the tips you mentioned are spot on. In fact, I’m going to do a yoga YouTube video right now – thank you for the inspiration 😘 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Isn’t she absolutely BRILLIANT! She makes it so much fun and enjoyable xxx