Yoga can seem intimidating. But the truth is, you don’t need gymnast-level flexibility to start enjoying its many physical and mental health benefits.
Look for classes that are described as gentle or beginner-friendly, and check the class duration. A long session may exhaust you and leave you vulnerable to injury.
Basic Asanas
Yoga is a complete system of exercise that combines physical strength and flexibility with mental calmness and spiritual awareness. Getting started with yoga is simple, especially for beginners, since most classes begin with basic poses that anyone can perform. Beginners’ yoga offers many benefits such as increased energy levels, emotional stability and overall strength both physical and mental.
It is important to start small and practice yoga on a regular basis to see the most significant benefits. Ideally, beginner yoga students should attend a class at least three times per week. If you are unable to attend class regularly, at home yoga videos are available that can be followed along. Beginners’ yoga classes are usually held in a studio with a qualified instructor who can help new students find poses that meet their personal needs. The instructor can also provide modifications for students with injuries and other limitations. This will ensure that you are not doing yoga poses that could cause harm.
Breathing Techniques
A primary aspect of yoga is breathing exercises, known as pranayama. Ancient yogis detailed several types of rhythmic deep breathing techniques that have specific effects on the body and mind.
Ujjayi pranayama involves constricting the throat and breathing in and out to create a sound like an ocean wave. This technique strengthens the lungs and heart, and calms the nerves and psyche. This is one of the most basic and useful yogic breathing exercises for beginners.
Nadi Shodhanam pranayama is a deep breathing exercise that balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. It cultivates a sense of inner stability and tranquility while purifying and unblocking energy flow through the left and right sides of the body.
The most important thing for beginners to know is that these breathing techniques are only part of a complete yoga practice. To get all the benefits, it’s best to learn them from a qualified yoga teacher. This teacher will also be able to guide you in how often and for how long to practice these techniques.
Props
While some people think of yoga as a series of graceful poses on the mat, using props is important for both beginners and advanced practitioners. Props can help you build strength and increase flexibility while also protecting your body from injury. They can also be used to make a pose more challenging or to deepen a stretch.
For example, you can use a block to add stability to a standing posture or a strap to help you melt away the stress in your shoulders during Fish Pose. They are available in a variety of sizes, materials, and shapes. Some are even made from eco-friendly materials.
Although some yogis may feel like they are “cheating” by using props, many find that they are essential to helping them stay balanced, prevent fatigue, and prolong their energy during a session. They can also provide a way to discover hidden imbalances or compensations in their body that they would not have noticed otherwise.
Sanskrit
Using Sanskrit in yoga helps teachers bridge the gap with beginners and new students. Using the original language brings yoga to a higher level and makes it more mystical.
Practicing and learning the Sanskrit names of poses and other yoga terminology will help students understand yoga in a more authentic way. It’s also fun to use and can be a good way to learn new vocabulary.
Many, but not all, yoga teachers will call out the Sanskrit names of poses in addition to or instead of English. This helps to build a deeper connection with the yogic philosophy and culture.
Sanskrit words elicit a deeper vibration and the mind starts resonating to the syllables. It is a powerful and transformative experience. It is also helpful for auditory learners who want to hear the word, visual learners who need to see it written out, and kinesthetic learners who need to do the pose in order to understand what is being asked of them.