10 Best Yoga Tips For Beginners – Kickstart Your Yoga Journey Today
Start your yoga journey with confidence. Discover the ultimate yoga tips for beginners, learn how to start your yoga journey and unlock your path to a more balanced, vibrant you. 3, 2, 1, let’s flow!
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During the past years (especially in the Western world), yoga has become this shiny world of extreme flexibility, arm balances, handstands, and super skinny chicks wearing the latest Lululemon outfits or almost nothing…but I promise you, this is not what yoga is, nor what yoga is about.
Yoga is for everyone, no matter what age, or body type you are, you don’t need to be flexible, and whether you can or can’t do a handstand does not define you as a yogi.
If you are new to yoga or about to start your yoga journey, this is the perfect place to be as I will give you all the yoga beginners tips you need to kickstart your yoga journey successfully.
Stay until the end of this blog post to get your Amazon shopping list featuring all the yoga essentials you need to get started.
10 Best yoga tips for beginners
Below are my top 10 yoga tips for beginners based on questions I regularly get when new yogis come to join my yoga class for the first time.
1. You don’t need to be flexible to do yoga
Let’s clear out yoga myth #1 – you don’t need to be flexible to do yoga. Not at all.
Flexibility is actually one of the benefits of yoga, and you can develop it over time through regular practice.
No matter what age, or body type you are, on the yoga mat, everyone is welcome, always.
Each yoga pose offers different variations accommodating a wide range of abilities and body types.
In addition, there are yoga accessories and yoga props such as yoga blocks, yoga straps, bolsters, etc. to support your yoga practice helping you get the most benefits from each yoga pose.
2. Find the right yoga style
There are many different types of yoga and when you are new to yoga, the different types of yoga can be a bit overwhelming.
Below is a list of the most common types of yoga you are likely to find in yoga studios near you.
Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic practice. In this style of yoga, you link breath with movement; each movement is matched with an inhalation and exhalation. Some studios also call it Flow Yoga or Vinyasa Flow Yoga.
Depending on the speed of the flow, Vinyasa yoga can be a bit demanding. Usually, you flow through a series of postures, the movement is fluid and continuous and should stay like that throughout class.
Hatha Yoga
A Hatha yoga class is usually a bit more gentle, however, this depends on the intensity and duration of the yoga postures during class.
Focusing on the physical postures will allow you to improve your strength, flexibility, and balance.
Breathing exercises and meditation can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation of the body and mind.
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga yoga is more on the challenging side. In an Ashtanga yoga class, you focus on a set sequence of poses linked with a specific breathing technique.
Ashtanga yoga consists of six series of asanas, sequenced in a specific order. The first series is the Primary Series and is considered to be the foundation for the following series.
Each series includes standing postures, seated postures, inversions, and backbends.
Yin Yoga
Yin yoga is a slow-paced style that focuses on holding yoga poses for an extended amount of time. This can vary between three to five minutes.
A Yin yoga class usually involves a series of seated or reclined yoga poses, holding the poses for an extended amount of time allows the muscles to relax and build on your flexibility.
Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar yoga is a type of yoga that emphasizes precision and alignment in the yoga postures.
Students practice a series of postures using yoga props such as yoga blocks, yoga straps, blankets, etc. to achieve correct alignment in each yoga pose and to allow a deeper understanding and experience of each yoga posture.
Vinyasa yoga, Hatha yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Yin yoga, and Iyengar yoga are the most common yoga practices I would say which you should be able to find in a yoga studio near you.
But, there are so many more types of yoga e.g. Kundalini yoga, Power yoga, Hot yoga, etc. As we said earlier, yoga is for everyone, the choice is yours. Take your time finding what flows for you.
3. Find the right yoga studio
Each yoga studio has a different vibe and a different crowd. Check out a few studios near you before settling on one.
Pick a yoga studio you vibe with and check out their schedule to ensure their offers match your needs and daily schedule so that you can easily fit your yoga practice into your weekly routine.
Consideration: Sometimes it is worth compromising on a longer travel time to enjoy more classes on the schedule, workshop offers, community evenings, etc.
Tip: Many yoga studios offer a newcomer promotion, if you don’t see anything advertised in the studio or on the website of the yoga studio, do ask at the front desk.
4. What yoga class is right for me?
If you are just starting on your yoga journey, I highly recommend taking a few beginner classes first.
Beginner classes tend to be a bit slower and the yoga teacher will spend more time explaining each posture, helping you to build a strong foundation for your yoga practice moving forward.
When the root is strong, the fruit is sweet.
Bob Marley
The stronger your foundation, the more you will get out of your yoga practice and the more you will enjoy it.
Once you feel confident and strong in your poses, it is time to move on to a regular yoga class.
5. What to eat before yoga
Can I do yoga after eating? The short answer is yes. But yoga on a full stomach is not the best experience.
Everyone’s body is different, however, I recommend eating 2 hours before yoga and making it a light snack e.g. apple slices with peanut butter, oatmeal with fruits and nuts, a small salad, etc.
I also recommend having a snack e.g. a protein bar, an apple, a banana etc. in your yoga bag for after class, just in case.
6. What to wear to first yoga class
Wear what you feel comfortable in.
A pair of yoga leggings or workout leggings and a comfortable yoga top for example.
Tight top vs. baggy? Go for a tight top as there will be moments when you bend forward e.g. in a downward-facing dog and you don’t want to be worried about your shirt dropping down.
Stretchy materials are key so that you are not restricted in your movements.
7. What to bring to first yoga class
When you pack your bag for your first yoga class, I recommend bringing: a yoga mat, a water bottle, and a small towel as well as a post-yoga snack just in case.
If you don’t have a yoga mat for your first yoga class, no worries, most yoga studios will have mats available, however, keep in mind that there might be a small charge when renting a yoga mat.
8. Get to class early
Whether this is your first yoga class or not, I always recommend to my students to come to class approximately 10 minutes early.
This allows you enough time to find your spot, set up your yoga mat, get your props, settle in, etc.
Especially if it is your first yoga class, arriving early allows you to find out where everything is, get a sense of orientation within the yoga studio, maybe say ‘hi’ to the people around you, settle in, and talk to the yoga teacher.
9. Talk to the yoga teacher
Introduce yourself to the yoga teacher and let the yoga teacher know that it’s your first time taking a yoga class. Don’t be shy, we all started at one point.
The yoga teacher might ask you about any injuries or pain points. This is so that your yoga teacher can give you the right adjustments during class if needed.
After class, the yoga teacher might check in with you to see how you feel and if you had any difficulties, challenges that came up during class, etc.
10. Trust yourself
This is something you will learn along your yoga journey, however, it is worth pointing out right at the beginning: ‘Trust the teacher within.’
Yoga will help you cultivate self-awareness. Pay attention to the physical sensations that might come up during your yoga practice. Honour your limitations, and be kind and compassionate with yourself.
Yoga is not a race, there is no finish line as there is always something else to improve and work on.
Bonus: Amazon shopping list with all your yoga essentials
Below is an Amazon shopping list to help you get ready for your first yoga class. Consider it your yoga starter kit.
As always, with 🖤 from me to you.
Start your yoga journey with this premium yoga mat, providing a stable, non-slip cushioned surface for your yoga practice. Perfect for home and/or studio use.
Buttery soft yoga leggings, four-way stretch and super lightweight high-quality material. Perfect for any workout and available in many different colours.
Move with ease and comfort with this buttery soft and breathable yoga tank top; available in different colours. The choice is yours.
This laid-back oversized hoodie will keep you warm and comfortable wherever you go. The hoodie is made of super soft high-quality material and comes in many different colours to choose from.
By far the best water bottle, beautifully designed, available in lots of different colours, and made of premium stainless steel. Rest assured you will find your perfect match.
Keep your mat clean, dry and portable with this yoga mat carrier. The yoga mat bag features an adjustable shoulder strap, front and back pockets and a full zipper closure.
Fast-drying, skin-friendly, lightweight yoga face towel available in different colours to perfectly match the rest of your yoga gear.
In case you get hungry after your yoga class make sure to carry these keto chocolate peanut butter pie protein bars. These bars are gluten-free and support a low-carb and low-sugar lifestyle.
My final tip, stay curious about your yoga practice. Whenever you step on the mat you have the opportunity to learn something about yourself. Approach your yoga practice with an open mind and enjoy your time on the mat.
Let Your Shadow Shine – Yoga
I am a certified yoga teacher and I would love to help you start your yoga journey. Check out my weekly schedule for all my in-person yoga classes and alternatively, check out my free online on-demand yoga classes on YouTubeYOGATX. I would love to see you on the mat.
Happy flowing, my friends, and as always, stay wild!
Nicolle
Featured image: Photo by Kaylee Garrett on Unsplash
Hi, I am Nicolle, a Senior Marketing professional, certified Yoga Teacher and Wellness Blogger. I am the founder of Let Your Shadow Shine Yoga and this blog. I am here to support you along your self-discovery journey, offering empowering tools like yoga, holistic well-being tips and transformative personal growth strategies.
I always thought yoga was boring because of how slow it is. I prefer Zumba. These are some great tips especially saying you don’t have to be flexible
Hi Tiana, Zumba can be super fun too 😉
Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, happy to hear that you enjoyed the read.
Nicolle
I love practicing yoga, but don’t get to it often enough. Even my husband enjoys it and he is not flexible at all. Breaking down the variations of yoga practice is very helpful to understand what options are available. Great post!
Amazing, so happy to hear this!!
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment 😉
Great breakdown of the different types of yoga classes and preparing someone for their first yoga class! I love how even for someone who isn’t new to yoga you bring back the excitement. And also a good reminder that yoga is more than just physical but we have to be open to repeating the benefits for our mind, body and soul. Thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome!! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, much appreciated. Happy flowing 😉
This is really helpful! I’ve recently started doing yoga following online tutorials and I’m really enjoying it! Remembering to breathe is harder than I first realised and I always assumed that would be the easy part!! This post is amazing for anyone transitioning from online yoga to a class!
Love this comprehensive guide! Really helpful to first timers. Yoga can be intimidating sometimes, so these are confidence-boosters indeed.
Great post! I haven’t ever tried practicing yoga but now I will love to give it a try. At least now I know the types of Yoga and that you don’t have to be flexible to do yoga.
I absolutely love this step-by-step guide on what to expect from your first yoga class! It’s so reassuring to know that yoga is for everyone and doesn’t require extreme flexibility or advanced skills. The emphasis on yoga being more than just a physical practice resonates with me. The promise to address all typical questions and provide an Amazon shopping list for essentials is fantastic. I feel more confident and excited about attending my first class now. Thank you for sharing this thoughtful and encouraging post! Can’t wait to embark on my yoga journey! 🧘♀️💕
Thank you so much for your beautiful and kind words, so happy to hear that you enjoyed this post and even happier to hear that you are embarking on your yoga journey 🖤 Lots of Love & Light, Nicolle
This post has been reassuring in that there does seem to be the insta version of yoga where everybody is thin, beautuful, young and fashionable but you put forward the idea that this is not needed. I just really want a good stretch. I would desperately like to start yoga but just cannot get a consistent night when I have that time available. Maybe the solution is online yoga. I found this post very informative – thank you!
Hi Maryanne and thank you so much for your comment. I totally understand. Online yoga is definitely a good option and you are much more flexible as you can flow on your mat whenever it works best for your schedule. I would love to connect with you on the mat, check out my weekly schedule for all my online on-demand yoga videos. I also have another blog post ‘From Couch to Lotus: 7 Proven Hacks on How to Start a Home Yoga Practice’ that includes lots of tips to help you start your online home yoga practice in case you would like to check it out. Love & Light, Nicolle