Yoga: A Beginner’s Mindset

POV: You’re looking to incorporate yoga into your fitness routine, but you’re intimidated by the vast array of options.

Fear not. Over the centuries, yoga has been proven as a timeless practice to step into, no matter your age, gender, flexibility, or strength. The thing about yoga that most people don’t know is that everyone in the room, the teacher included, is there with a beginner’s mindset. This is because there is nothing to master in yoga. Of course we want to learn how to do the postures correctly, but at the end of the day everything about yoga is all simply a practice. Consistency allows us to stay in the flow of the practice but the only real thing you need to do is show up and be open-minded.

Here are some tips for beginners to get prepared for your first yoga class in the studio:

A durable, non-slip mat is a good start and many studios provide rental mats if you aren’t ready to purchase your own. Some reputable yoga mat brands include Manduka, Jade, LuluLemon, Alo, and Liforme. If you’re looking for a more earth friendly or sustainable brand, Shakti Warrior has a wonderful line of artistic and lightweight mats.
Comfortable clothing is also recommended so that you can move freely in your body without the distraction of pulling at your clothes. Also, you are not required to wear yoga pants. Many people wear gym shorts or even sweatpants this time of year.
Choosing the right class for your needs. Studios offer a wide range of class offerings from gentle, restorative, yin, slow flow, power yoga, hot vinyasa, and more. If you are new to movement, start with something slow and restorative to learn the postures and get the hang of things. If you are a gym rat or someone who frequently moves their body in new ways, power yoga might be a good place for you to start! Yoga is not just a work out for your body, but a workout for your mind-body-spirit connection.
The “Namaste” at the end of class is part of the yogic ritual that means, “the divine light in me honors the divine light in you” as a way to show gratitude to ourselves and to others in the room.

Some local studios with variety in their schedules include: