Top Five Yoga Tips for Beginners

With International Yoga day coming up on 21^st June, our fitness team have been busy pulling together their top five yoga tips for beginners….

Did you know that yoga is an ancient Hindu discipline which has been practised for over 5,000 years? Intended to offer you a holistic approach to body, mind and spirit, yoga is ideal if you’re looking to relieve a physical condition, manage stress or improve your fitness.

Regardless of your age, gender or ability, making yoga part of your daily routine will allow you to benefit from the improved efficiency of your lungs and cardiovascular system, reduced anxiety and depression, and an enhanced feeling of wellbeing.

But if you’re worried about what to expect from a yoga class, our yoga tips below will make sure you walk in with your eyes wide open – and help nourish the joys of yoga for many years to come.

1. Make sure you’re comfortable

When taking part in a yoga class, the last thing you want, or need is for your mobility to be restricted by unsuitable clothing. Consequently, wear clothes that allow you to move freely, so avoid denim and instead opt for soft fabrics that stretch with your body.

2. Flexibility will improve over time

In the beginning, it’s easy to fret that you’ll never be as flexible as your classmates but being able to wrap your legs around your head or do the splits is not a prerequisite for success. Flexibility takes time to develop, so continue to practice and take all the time you need.

3. Search for a suitable class

As a beginner, stumbling into an advanced yoga class where participants casually throw around phrases like hatha yoga or vinyasa flow can be intimidating, so be sure to search for a beginner’s class to ease you in gently and build your confidence.

4. Don’t be late to class

If you tend to be tardy, it’s important to realise that barging into a yoga class after it’s started will disrupt the flow of your fellow participants. As such, try to get to class early, as this’ll give you an opportunity to get in the zone with breathing exercises beforehand.

5. Practice makes perfect

Rather than trying – and failing – to contort your body into new positions, it’s crucial to realise that yoga actually takes time and practice (rather than force). With that in mind, yoga should be practiced daily for many years, so it’s vital to make it an integral part of your life.

**After our sell-out Introduction to Yoga Break in April, we’ve launched a new date for Autumn! Taking place Thursday 22nd to Saturday 24th November 2018, spaces are already filing up so don’t delay! For full details, click here.**