If you think that yoga is a sport that’s reserved for experienced, flexible yogis with years of experience, think again. There are actually a wide variety of styles of yoga, most of which can be easily adapted to fit each individual’s experience and fitness level.
Whether you’re brand new to yoga or coming back to it after years away from your practice, taking that first step can sometimes be intimidating. But if you want to reap the many health benefits that yoga has to offer, you have to start somewhere.
At Sun Rock Yoga, we offer a variety of beginner-friendly classes that can help you stretch, destress, and boost your overall health. If you’re ready to start your own healthy yoga habit, keep reading to learn a few tips for beginners that can help you master your first class.
Find the Right Studio
While yoga is definitely beginner-friendly, not every studio makes it feel that way. Some are better suited to those with experience and may be intimidating to those without it.
At Sun Rock Yoga, we believe that Yoga is for Every Body. We welcome individuals of every experience and fitness level to try a class for themselves. Our experienced teachers will help you develop your skills and perfect your poses to avoid injury and reap the many benefits of yoga.
Pick Your First Class With Care
Most styles of yoga can be adapted for beginners. However, certain styles are a better choice for your first class, or even for your first few. For instance, you won’t want to dive into yoga in a class that moves quickly through difficult poses. Instead, it’s best to choose a class that practices classic yoga moves that are more beginner-friendly and at a pace that gives you time to properly move into each pose.
Our Mindful Flow class moves at a slower pace that allows students to be intentional with their body placements and find inner peace. While you might come to love our Power Yoga class for its quick pace that’ll get your blood pumping and help you feel energized, starting with a slower class can help you avoid getting frustrated.
Wear the Right Clothing
Yoga can be a workout that increases your heart rate and even causes you to break a sweat. But this doesn’t mean that you’ll want to wear the same workout clothes you might wear to the gym or for a run.
The stretching and poses of a yoga class are far more comfortable in loose, comfortable clothing. This will give you a full range of motion and help to keep you relaxed and comfortable while you move from one pose to the next. Make sure to choose a sports bra or top that offers support, and opt for fabrics that wick sweat to keep you cool. If you’re attending class during the winter, consider wearing light layers that you can easily shed as you warm up during class.
Choose the Right Mat
Much like your choice of clothing, your yoga mat will also have an impact on your ability to stay relaxed and focused during a class. You’ll want to choose a yoga mat that is padded enough to provide support on a hard floor, and that you won’t slip on.
Your mat should stick slightly to your hands and knees to keep you grounded in place while in poses that require you to stay balanced. If you don’t have a mat yet, you can rent one in our studio ahead of your next class.
Hydrate Ahead of Time
Staying hydrated is important for a number of reasons. To start, yoga is a sport, and like many sports, will cause your heart rate to increase and even cause you to break a sweat. But staying hydrated is important for other reasons, too. Proper hydration allows your body to regulate its internal temperature and keeps your joints lubricated and your organs functioning properly.
Staying properly hydrated doesn’t mean simply chugging water ahead of your next yoga class. Instead, aim to increase your water intake starting at least a few days ahead of your first class. Experts recommend at least 11.5 cups of fluid per day for women and 15.5 cups of fluid per day for men to stay properly hydrated. About 20 percent of the fluids you get each day will come from food, while the rest should come from water or non-caffeinated, sugar-free beverages.
Fuel Your Body
In addition to staying hydrated, it’s also important to make sure that your body is properly fueled. Aim to eat healthy, well-balanced meals with plenty of protein in the days leading up to starting a regular yoga practice. This will help to give your body the energy it needs to power through your next class.
Respect Your Body’s Abilities
Every person practicing yoga today had to start as a beginner. While that may be easy to forget when you notice that the person next to you in class seems to have mastered every pose, it’s important to respect your body and be kind to yourself.
Through practice, your flexibility and balance will increase. But regardless of your experience level, listen to your body. Push yourself to stretch a bit past what’s comfortable, but stop short of pushing yourself too hard. This can lead to injury, and leave you feeling discouraged. Be kind to yourself while practicing; you made the decision to join a class and do a great thing for your mind and body, and that is something to celebrate!
Giving Yoga a Try for the First Time
If you’ve been thinking about giving yoga a try, there’s never been a better time. While being a beginner can be intimidating, preparing yourself ahead of time by choosing the right studio and class, picking your clothing and mat with care, and being kind to yourself can help you to feel confident in your first class.
Ready to dive in? Check out our class descriptions to find the right one for you, and sign up today to start reaping the endless benefits of yoga.
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