Advice for Yoga Beginners
If you’re new to yoga and want to find out what it’s all about before you start your practice, this post is especially for you.
Years ago, I would have never pictured myself as a yoga instructor. Some people fall in love with yoga the first time they try it. I was not one of those people. The first time I tried yoga, I thought it was boring. What was the point of yoga if it was just stretching and not a real workout?
Fast forward a few years down the road…I tried a yoga class again and realized what a challenge it could be. I also started to learn that there was much, much more to yoga than exercise. The more styles of yoga I tried over time, the more I respect I gained for yogis. In addition to building physical strength, the meditative benefits of yoga helped improve my mental health significantly.
Many potential students have told me that they’re afraid to try a class because they’re worried they won’t be “good at yoga.” But that’s not what it’s about. The Sanskrit word yoga means “union” – it’s about connection to your higher self, to others and to the universe as a whole. [bctt tweet=”Yoga is about feeling good and finding your own happiness.” username=”alexhowlettyoga”]
One aspect of yoga I appreciate the most is that students are encouraged to do what they’re capable of and set their own goals. You make it your own, make modifications, and take on new challenges when you’re ready. Whether you want to relieve stress, build strength, increase flexibility, boost your energy, recover from an injury, lose weight or improve your mental wellness, you should give yoga a try.
Here is a great breakdown on six of the most popular styles of yoga that can help you figure out what class might be right for you. My favorite style to practice and to teach is vinyasa. I have also taught restorative classes and gentle yoga + guided meditation combo classes.
I hope all of you that are new to yoga will consider learning more, signing up for a class or checking out my free videos to start a home practice. Check back regularly for more yoga tips, sequences and class schedules.
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