Yoga tips you need to know if you’re a yogi beginner

International Yoga Day takes place annually on 21^st June and aims to raise awareness of the benefits of this popular mind and body practice. This year’s theme is ‘Yoga for Wellness’ and we’re strong believers that yoga is extremely beneficial for our mental and physical wellbeing. Many health benefits include reduced stress, better muscle tone, stronger bones, increased flexibility, and better balance – now who wouldn’t want all of those!

So, if you’re a yoga beginner or thinking about having a go at yoga then here’s some tips to help you get started.

Come with an open mind.

Yoga doesn’t come naturally to everyone so it may take you some time to get into the practice. Yoga is a transformative journey, which will lead you to your end goal, whether that is less stress, better health or improving your mindset, so if your find first session was hard, doesn’t mean your next session will be. Let your expectations go when you approach the mat and stay present in each moment.

Wear comfortable clothing, preferably items that won’t slip down.

You will be stretching your body in all types of directions so wearing comfortable clothing is key to ensuring you enjoy your session. You want to avoid anything that will dig in or restrict your movement so clothing that is loose but nothing that will slip down or get in the way.

Avoid eating anything heavy 90 minutes before your class.

To make sure you’re 100% comfortable, it is advisable not to eat at least 90 minutes before yoga practice, and not to drink during your session so be sure to drink small amounts of water beforehand and after to stay hydrated. Be sure to avoid consuming any alcohol, sugar or caffeine.

Always ‘listen’ to your body.

It’s important to listen to your body during yoga and work at a pace that suits you. If you push yourself too hard, you may cause injury to yourself. Certain yoga poses may not be suitable to be practiced, especially during early pregnancy, certain injuries or during menstruation, however, there will always be another pose that will be more beneficial for you so don’t see it as a failure if you struggle or are unable to achieve the pose.

As part of our extensive fitness offering, we provide Hatha Yoga, Yoga Flow and Fitness Yoga classes throughout the week, so if you’re looking to give yoga a try on your next visit, be sure to book onto one of our yoga classes, or, if you prefer a more intimate session, we also offer one-to-one yoga sessions as part of our Bespoke Fitness Programmes.