Yoga for beginners - Tips on how to get started
Curious to learn more about yoga, but not sure how to get started? Yoga is one of our favourite ways to exercise and wind down, and is a great way to build strength, flexibility and increase general wellbeing. Here are some of our best tips for beginners on how to start practising yoga, some yoga poses to try and what to wear during your practice.
What are the benefits of yoga?
Yoga has many benefits for both the mind and body. Besides building strength, flexibility and balance, yoga can help to reduce headaches, back pain, arthritis and even chronic pain.
Research shows that practising yoga for a period of time lowers the stress hormone cortisol, resulting in improved sleep and improved wellbeing. Yoga is also a great way to feel more at peace and practice being in the here and now.
Yoga poses to try
Here are some poses — the perfect inspiration to start exploring yoga, whether alone on the mat or as part of a class. Ready to give it a try? ❤️
Full Boat Pose (Paripurna navasana)
The Full Boat Pose improves core strength, strengthens the hips and lower spine and improves coordination.
Half Boat Pose (Arch Navasana)
The Half Boat Pose strengthens your abs, back, thighs, and improves balance and posture. The pose also improves digestion and boosts your concentration.
Extended Side Angle Pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana)
Extended Side Angle Pose relieves stiffness in the shoulders and back, provides a deep stretch to the groins and hamstrings, and improves stamina.
Triangle Pose (Trikonasana)
A foundational pose of yoga and perfect for beginners, the Triangle Pose opens up the chest and shoulders, strengthens legs and stretches the hamstrings and hips.
Seated Eagle Pose (seated Garudasana)
Great for improving balance, the Seated Eagle Pose opens up the joints in the shoulders and arms.
Select the right place and time for your yoga practice
Choose a quiet place in your home, preferably with good ventilation and enough space to do all your movements, or a calm outdoor area such as balcony, garden or terrace. If you want, you can create a bit of atmosphere by lighting candles or an incense stick.
While yoga can be practised at any time of day, a morning yoga session will help you stay energetic and focused throughout the day. We recommend doing a few yoga flows or poses when you wake up — a magical way to gently awaken your body.
Find the right clothing and equipment
For yoga practice, we recommend choosing soft, figure-hugging fabrics that have a second-skin fit and feel, giving freedom of motion and making you comfortable as you find your zen. Our Ribbed Seamless Tights, Luxe Seamless Tights, Aim High Tights or some of our printed Recycled Core Tights are perfect for your practice.
We also recommend investing in a good yoga mat, allowing you to work through your poses without worrying about slipping. A yoga mat also supports your wrists, knees and joints and helps keep your feet and hands in place.
Focus on your breathing
The essential in any yoga practice, focus on your breathing helps you to stay present throughout our practice. Breathing exercises in yoga can be used to warm up the body, clear the mind and lower stress levels. Be mindful of your breathing, let it guide your movements and simply land in it when you need to or if a movement feels difficult.
We hope these simple tips and poses will inspire you to give yoga a try and help you build your strength and confidence. Whether a brand-new beginner or at the start of your yoga journey, discover yoga as a wonderful tool to balance both your mind and body. Good luck with your practice! ❤️
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photo credit: The mat collective
