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)
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Great post!
For some reason, I have never been inspired to do yoga.
I prefer more intense cardio-based exercises like LBT or Boxing.
It’s interesting to read that yoga can improve organ functioning.
I’m tempted to look into it now.
Kelle – http://www.itskellesspace.com
I understand about the more intense, but yoga really can be intense if you find the right fit for you. I participate in a Hot Yoga class that gets up to 110° and 60% humidity, they flip the heat on and off, lights low and brighter during balancing sequence, some flows get your heart rate jumping! It’s called Sumits Hot Yoga, but I bet they have a similar meat you. Where are you located, I can look a bit for you. Equinox and lifetime both offer heated yoga classes, or a studio. The organs get flushed with newly oxygenated blood and also twisting massages the organs. It is very helpful managing mental illness or even just daily crazies!!🙄
So happy you enjoyed my read!
Thank you take care, Michelle
I love your use of images, this post was so uplifiting! Perhaps I will try throwing myself into yoga now 🙂 and you’re right, practice really does make perfect!
Thank you so much! I do really love it! You may try some various styles, or watch a little on YouTube to see what attracts you. I like a more flowing class which is a little athletic and fun. Everyone has a different style, vinyasa yoga is the style I described, where Hatha yoga is slower and more focused on breathing. xoxo
It certainly is something that I have been meaning to explore, thank you again for the info, I will have to see on YouTube and see what works best, that’s a good idea! 😁
Wonderfully Inspiring Michelle.
As they say they call it a Yoga Practice, because we are never perfect, but we get a little bit better and a little but more practiced each and every time that we, well, practice.
Loving your Website.
Shaun
https://projectpalmtree.com/
After reading this, I might have to try a yoga class at least once this year! You make it sound fun, and we’re very encouraging in reminding that it’s not a competition and it’s okay to just watch for a bit if you can’t do something. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading!! I hope you will try yoga! I was being real and any class would encourage and remind you it isn’t a performance but a practice. I think it is so wonderful and sharing yoga is my purpose! Have a super day and reach out and let me know how you get along of you go! xoxo Michelle
As someone who has “take yoga” on her list of goals for the year, this was a very encouraging post so thank you.x
Nice and I will
Good for you!
I started yoga last year during spring and honestly I loved it. Was so calming and felt amazing for my body and mind. My instructor was so nice and supportive of people of all levels!
Finlay grace
So happy you love yoga. Do you still go to the class?? I love to take classes when I can but mostly I teach. I do one class a week for sure tho, a hot class Sunday morning. Thanks for reading and commenting! xoxo
I don’t unfortunately but due to my boyfriend going in to the marine I have more spare time on my hands so will definitely be making the most of it filled with me time, which I aim some of it to be yoga once a week again xx
Sounds like a good plan! Sorry he left tho! I hope you find some good classes! xoxo 😚
I’ve done yoga a handful of times before but I really want to start doing it regularly for 2019!
I hope you do start doing yoga regularly!! I love it so much! Thanks for reading!!🙏🏼🙃
This was interesting, I didn’t know that yoga could improve organ function! Thanks for your great tips Ü
Thank you. Organ function is improved when we do twists and new blood and oxygen can be pumped through. ☺️
I’m still a beginner at yoga and love all of your tips! It can be intimidating at first but the benefits are awesome 🙌🏻 Great post!!
You have to begin somewhere! Happy you love it!! Keep up the practice and you will love it more and more. xoxo