BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Yoga How To Begin Practicing Yoga

The idea of beginning a yoga practice can be a daunting one. Read on for tips and encouragement to get you started!

How To Begin Practicing Yoga

I agree about consistency. It pays off in how well you feel over time.

I started out doing cd's at home and then got up the nerve to take a class at the Y. I didn't start doing yoga on a regular basis until I was 58 but there are people in the class older than I am-also younger.

Working at home is a good way to get started but you have to stick to doing it daily or at least 3 times a week.

I wish motivation came in bottles.

I have been finding it so hard to fit yoga or any exercise into my day. Walking four dogs is plenty of exercise really but I need to add some relaxation and stretching. My lower back aches and my hamstrings have become tight. I can't touch my toes any more!!!

Motivation tips too please!!

Peace

Hi BoomerGal

I started out with videos at home too. I was self-conscious and had no idea what to do in a class, so I used videos get started. It wasn't till I moved to Colorado Springs that I even considered going into a studio. There is a studio not too far from out house so I finally got up the nerve and tried out the free week offered by that studio. I've been there ever since

I completely agree with you about sticking to your practice on a daily basis. It can be hard at first yet with a little time and patience it becomes a part of the daily routine.

Hi Linda,

I can sense your frustration and I can empathize with how difficult it is to create time to practice yoga. Taking just a few minutes to do a gentle vinyasa like some Sun Salutations will help to open up your hamstrings. Perhaps you could set the time aside at a specific point in the day, such as when you get out of bed or right when you're ready to take your dogs out walking.

Doing this consistently will give you results quickly and I can't think of any better motivation than that You'll feel a difference in your hamstrings and an overall sense openness in your body.

Here's an example of what a warm up and a Sun Salutation can look like:

1. Start in Child's Pose
2. Press into Downward Facing Dog
3. Come into a Forward Bend with feet hip-width distance apart and let the torso hang heavy to help open up the hamstrings.
4. Slowly rise up to Mountain Pose
5. Move through another Forward Bend
6. Half-way Lift
7. Chattarunga Dandasana - High Plank to Low Plank
8. Upward Facing Dog
9. Downward Facing Dog
10. Forward Fold
11. Repeat 4-10 as many times as you like.

Here's a video I found on YouTube that does a great job demonstrating Suryanamaskar A or Sun Salutation A.

http://youtu.be/9r_KY_dbOWg

Hi Deborah,

Thanks so much for taking the time to find this for me. I am going to try to do as you say and just start with the Sun Salutation. I have watched the video and I am sure I can fit that in to my day, especially as you say when I first get out of bed, that is when I ache the most.

Thanks you again for taking the time, I will let you know how I get on. My hamstrings thank you too.

Peace and hugs.

You're welcome Linda

It's interesting, when I first get out of bed I'm too sluggy to think about yoga. I have my protein shake and try to get my eyes open, I check my mail. It's about an hour later that I'm ready to start thinking about yoga like activities

Deciding that you want to start doing yoga is the first step. It's easy to get stuck here, though. Don't be intimidated! A little research will be required on your part. Many yoga classes are out there, and you may be turned off if you pick one that does not suit your personality and state of physical fitness. For most beginners, a hatha or vinyasa class will be most appropriate, depending on whether you want a slow or fast-paced class. These are basic styles, and you can always try something fancier later.

Thank you for the information, Marina!

It's interesting that only in January I posted that I was too sluggy in the morning and wanted my shake first. Now I'm the opposite - I go do my yoga first, to wake up, and then I have my shake. I need to do the yoga first before I get sucked into work, or it doesn't get done.