8 Easy Tips for Yoga Beginners

It may be an ancient practice, but the power of yoga only seems to grow stronger with time. The practice has become increasingly popular in recent years, with over 300 million people around the world adding a yoga workout to their wellness routines today. In fact, Americans alone spend over $16 billion on yoga classes and equipment every year!

While it's a given that working with experienced yoga instructors and yoga teachers can help maximize results and improve one's physical and mental health, it is also important to experience the joy of yoga in a personal space and get in touch with ourselves!

In this blog, we share a few tips for beginners who wish to start practicing yoga today.

Tips for a healthy yoga practice -

1. Specify a proper time
2. Choose a comfortable place
3. Practice on a light stomach
4. Start off early
5. Be gentle
6. Set the mood
7. Try out different yoga poses
8. Be consistent

Before you settle into a regular yoga practice, it would make a huge difference to your well-being if you got a hang of the best practices recommended above. So, let's deep dive into these tips for beginners and set you up for a truly healthy yoga routine!

1. Specify a proper time  

‍This may sound easy, but it's easy to slip out of a routine if you're not careful! It's also why people prefer joining a yoga class to help them establish a regular practice. The best time to bring out the yoga mat is just an hour after you wake up or in the evening. Warm up with your basic yoga poses before picking up a more advanced workout in your yoga classes. Yoga at these times can also be a good way to refresh the mind and release stress collected during the day. Fixing a time will get you in the habit of doing yoga exercises every day without fail.

2. Choose a comfortable place

‍People recommend practicing yoga at your home. But if you are practicing at home, there are chances you might be faced with multiple distractions. Yoga calls for a consistent mind-body connection as you practice physical postures and breathing techniques and these exercises require focus and a relaxed state of mind. It would be ideal for your practice to choose a private corner for your yoga session at home where you will not be disturbed or come in the way of your family. Consider it your personal yoga studio and treat it like a true sanctuary!

3. Practice on a light stomach

The next most important thing to keep in mind is that yoga postures are always best practiced on a light or empty stomach. You can practice yoga poses and meditate about 2-3 hours after your meal.

4. Start off easy

As you are a beginner, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the various disciplines like Vinyasa yoga, Hatha yoga, or Ashtanga yoga, among others. But to get started, it's best to go with easy-to-do yoga sequences and stretching exercises. Once you are able to master the basics on your own, you will be able to explore more advanced poses with a qualified yoga teacher who can guide you through the finer aspects of the practice.

Even doing yoga for 20 minutes initially, including your basic breathing exercises, can go a long way in building your core. Stretching is needed to warm you up before doing intense yoga postures. This is an absolute must, else you may risk straining your muscles.

5. Be gentle

Yoga may be a physical practice but the purpose is to be able to relax as you workout. Wear comfortable clothing and go through your exercises without rushing the flow. Take short breaks between each pose and enjoy your workout with a smile!

6. Set the mood

‍Yoga is all about achieving mental clarity and finding inner peace. So, set the mood at home to support your mental well-being. You could dim the lights and play soft music in the background to help reduce stress and also keep you motivated as you practice.

7. Try out different Yoga postures

After starting off as a novice try to train the different Yoga techniques to get more benefits. Some of them are as follows:

Standing Sideways Bending One arm (Konasana)

Sideways Bending Using Both arms (Konasana 2)

Standing Spinal Twist (Katichakrasana)

Standing Forward Bend (Hastapadasana)

Standing Backward Bend (Ardha Chakrasana)

Triangle Pose (Trikonasana)

Warrior Pose (Veerabhadrasana or Virabhadrasana)

Standing Forward Bend with Feet Apart (Parsarita Padotanasana)

Tree Pose (Vrikshasana)

Reverse Prayer Pose (Paschim Namaskarasana)

Eagle Pose (Garudasana)

Chair Pose (Utkatasana)

One-Legged Forward Bend (Janu Shirasasana)

Two-Legged Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)

Inclined Plane (Poorvottanasana)

Side Plank Pose (Vasisthasana)

Downward Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

Dolphin Plank Pose (Makara Adho Mukha Svanasana)

Sitting Half Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana)

Butterfly Pose (Badhakonasana)

Lotus Pose (Padmasana)

One-Legged Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana)

Cat Stretch (Marjariasana)

Camel Pose (Ustrasana)

Child Pose (Shishuasana)

Mill Churning Pose (Chakki Chalanasana)

Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)

Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)

Sphinx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana)

Superman Pose (Viparita Shalabhasana)

Locust Pose (Shalabasana)

Boat Pose (Naukasana)

Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)

Fish Pose (Matsyasana)

Wind-Relieving Pose (Pavanamuktasana)

Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana)

Plow Pose (Halasana)

Lying-down Body Twist (Natrajasana)

Lying-down on sides (Vishnuasana)

Corpse Pose (Shavasana)

8. Be consistent

Whatever you have read about yoga till now is useless if you don't keep your practice going after the first few days. It is very important to be regular with your yoga practice. Try to make it a part of your daily schedule as then it would be easier to make it a habit.

Conclusion

Treat your practice at home the same way you would treat a yoga class and maintain a strict schedule. At the same time, respect physical limitations and give yourself off days at regular intervals so that your body can take a break every now and then!

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