Is yoga a suitable and beneficial fitness activity for beginners? This is a question most often asked by people who have only recently started going to the gym. Kalina Vitkova – a certified yoga trainer from the National Sports Academy and a certified instructor from WRYA (World Real Yoga Alliance), will tell you about the benefits of yoga, offer advice and motivate you to get started.
When we think of yoga for beginners, we usually picture poses that look quite difficult. We wonder how flexible we are and often think certain exercises are too hard to perform. Yoga helps us unite the body, mind and spirit. Some poses are perfectly accessible, even to people with no experience in asanas (yoga exercises).
Yoga for beginners – five tips for getting off to the right start, recommended by yoga specialist Kalina Vitkova
1. Leave your preconceptions behind
Yoga is the right group activity for beginners. Worried that you’re not flexible? In that case, you need Yoga! Your muscles need stretching. Whether you’re completely new to exercise or the kind of person who spends a long time lifting weights at the gym, yoga for beginners is a great choice for your body!
Yoga exercises can make any body healthy, strong, flexible, and athletic. Perhaps you want to lose a few kilos and have a slimmer waist. Twisting exercises are for you! Maybe you’ve played sports all your life and are in great shape, but your back aches and your knees are giving out. Yoga can help with that, too! Asanas work all the muscles, tendons, and joints. They strengthen the spine and gently massage the internal organs, stimulating their function. You’ll see for yourself just a few months after you start attending classes.
2. Yoga for beginners – online or in a group with an instructor
There are thousands of yoga videos for beginners online, and some may be right for you. It’s best to start yoga training for beginners under the guidance of a professional instructor. They’ll show you how to perform the movements correctly and help you avoid the risk of potential injuries. Exercises should be performed correctly to build a strong foundation that you can develop over time.
Yoga poses will most likely be new to you, and you may feel strange at first. It won’t be easy, because asanas are very specific and your body needs time to get used to them, relax, and change. However, we recommend that you focus on the exercises your instructor is showing you rather than worrying about it. Another benefit of working with a professional yoga instructor is that after class you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and expand your knowledge.
3. Dress comfortably for yoga
Wear your most comfortable clothes when you go to a yoga class. Your clothes should be stretchy and lightweight—a sports leggings, tracksuit, and T-shirt work great. Don’t wear belts or jewelry that could get in the way of your yoga practice.
4. Don’t do yoga on a full stomach
It’s best to start a yoga class on an empty stomach or wait 2–3 hours after eating. When your stomach is full and busy digesting, performing asanas will be difficult and tiring for your metabolism.
5. Be consistent with your yoga training for beginners
You need to be consistent in your efforts. The sage Patanjali said, “You must practice regularly, without missing a session.” Even when the exercises seem difficult, you don’t have enough time, or you lack motivation, don’t give up! With each practice, you’ll become more confident, feel better, and find it easier to train. Consistency is the path to success.
