Hi there!! I have been wanting to do a post including some great giphy clips and I hope you will enjoy this one about yoga.
It can be an intimidating thought to go to your first yoga class, or a new class, for anyone. Thoughts may cross your mind like
“What should I wear?”
“Should I eat breakfast first or drink lots and lots of water right before??”
“Will they yell at me if I can’t do a pose properly?”
“Some people seem so natural at yoga and I am very inflexible and have no balance. I will make a fool of myself, I can’t do it.”
While this is a natural thought before doing something unknown, what you do not know, is the instructor wants you to love it and will help you feel better and assure you it is ok to modify and to rest if gets to be too much.
– You are not required to do every move as if this is part your every day movement.
– You do need to be responsible and know it is not a competition or a performance. Do your best at the time to follow the guidance and instructions and to listen to your own body if you meet resistance.
– Take it easy on yourself and enjoy the learning curve. It may take several classes to be sure this is for you. It is for you. It is for everyone.
There are so many different styles and places and there is something out there for everyone. Each style does have its purpose and one of my favorite sayings is, “that’s why they make chocolate strawberry and vanilla” , everyone has different tastes and likes.
Good for you for wanting to try yoga. And Good for you for showing up to your mat. Also Good for you for taking a step to improve your overall health.
There are many amazing benefits to doing YOGA including clarity of mind, improved circulation, increased organ function, improved flexibility, strengthening in the muscles to help support bones and joints, improved posture, improved digestion and the list goes on and on.
Each of us is different and there are also a lot of different styles of yoga, including HOT yoga, which is done in a heated room to about 105° and many are as humid at 60%. THAT’s HOT!! Most likely, this is not the best class for a beginner to try.
Keep in mind… Yoga is a practice, not a performance, not a recital, or a competition with the person next to you. You will practice poses or asanas, but you will also practice breathing and being intentional and being present.
Thoughts will come through your mind and you may even have a conversation in your head about how well you are doing or not. All completely normal, and it is part of the practice to continue to let things go. Practice letting go of thoughts of how far you should push or what is this pose doing … to allow your mind to stay with your breath and to deepen your self awareness.
If your body is unable to do what the instructions are for a particular pose,
Stand still to watch or sit on your knees. Walking to the back to get your water or moving around a lot will distract others attention, stay still and learn by watching, then join back when you are ready. Most classes will not get anywhere near to the above, in case you are worried about that.
You may wonder “Why do they call it downward dog??” Dogs naturally do some of the poses which are in a regular yoga class. Or maybe they copy you when you are going for that photo for an Instagram challenge and this happens!!
Hilarious, right?? It does help to stay in check with your ego. If today isn’t the day for great balance or you have tight hamstrings, it will be ok. Do not be in competition, only express to improve.
Be open to new possibilities and accept challenges without putting pressure on yourself to have a specific outcome.
Practice is Practice.
Yoga is breathing.
Today, yoga may be this …
Tomorrow or in a years time, with dedication and the right partner, it may be this …
Above is an example of Acroyoga, and this may never be in your yoga future. I have had a few broken bones in my life including my sacrum, so you may not find me doing things like this, but that is to show you how there are so many varieties and there may be one that will feel like a perfect fit for you.
Thanks for reading my post about yoga and I hope you have a blessed day!! xoxo, Michelle
Will you like to come to one of my classes or see my schedule?? Here it is.. message me! xoxo
Did you see my post with coaching tips for taking a hot yoga class?? Here
Do you have tight hips?? Here is a post for you
Need a great yoga mat?? Try this one or maybe you like this better
My favorite marine collagen, in packets of strawberry (or blueberry)
Disclaimer: This post and this website include affiliate links, which means if you click through to make a purchase, I may be paid a small commission at no additional cost to you. This is to offset costs for running this website and blog, so thank you so much for your support! xoxo 👌🏼
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