Getting started with yoga may be seemingly challenging. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by gravity-defying poses or an unrealistic degree of flexibility you habitually see on the hoardings. As a beginner, you will find this comprehensive guide to yoga practice immensely beneficial.

So, if you are not sure how to get started or the basic equipment to get, read on till the end. 

What is yoga?

Like most beginners, you must have some preconceptions about yoga. Do you simply equate yoga to physical exercise and body flexibility? Well, that’s only half true. Yoga is more than a physical workout. Rather, it involves a thorough exercise of your mind and body.

Yoga involves a set of exercises, which you can identify as poses. Along with this, you need to master breathing techniques as well as meditation. These three elements form the building blocks of yoga.

For beginners, stretching your body or practicing certain poses might be challenging. This explains the importance of yoga accessories like straps, blankets, mats, yoga oils, and chairs. Based on your individual goals, you need to purchase these props.

How to get started with yoga?

Although you can start practicing yoga at home, it’s wise to find an instructor. This ensures that you would remain under expert surveillance, so that you remain on the right track. Besides, your yoga instructor would guide you with the postures, thus preventing potential injuries.

Find out a local yoga instructor or join an institution. However, online yoga classes have also gained popularity. Once you get your yoga props, you can practice at your home by following the instructions online.

If you have any medical condition, make sure to inform your yoga instructor about it. If any of the poses prove to be detrimental to your health, your instructor would suggest alternatives. This way, you can engage in yoga without aggravating the situation.

Preparing for your yoga practice: How to go about it?

Now that you have decided to practice yoga, make things comfortable for yourself. With the right approach, you will feel the profound harmony within. Practicing yoga requires the right ambiance internally and externally. So, here are a few guidelines that should help beginners attain the right mental state.

• Start with empty bowels and stomach

Make sure to empty your bowel and not to eat anything before practicing yoga. Creating the right balance between your physical and mental states require you to follow certain guidelines. According to experienced yoga instructors, your system shouldn’t contain anything that doesn’t belong to the body. So, schedule your yoga session just before your breakfast.

• Take a bath or shower

Beginners often think that bathing simply cleans their skin. The water washes away your interiority when your body comes in contact with it. It’s recommended to use tepid or cool water as you take your shower before practising yoga. As you know, your skin cells have pores. These pores open up in contact with water, which makes the cellular structure ideal for energy to pass.

• Put on comfortable clothes

Refrain from putting on any tight-fitting clothes while practising yoga. Yoga instructors recommend wearing loose-fitting clothes. This is because, your energies would expand as you practise yoga. Thus, wearing tight-fitting clothes would make your body uncomfortable. There are many premium ecommerce websites that offer highly comfortable yoga clothes for you.

• Consume turmeric and neem

Before starting your yoga session, consume turmeric and neem with light honey water. These organic elements go a long way in dilating and cleansing your cellular structure, enabling your system to absorb more energy. As a result, your muscles enjoy a greater degree of flexibility when you try out the postures.

• Include an invocation

At the outset, begin the session with an invocation. Traditionally, yogis use Sanskrit invocations that are capable of connecting forms with sounds. These sounds, when properly used, help the human system to get activated. Your yoga instructor will be guiding you on the right pronunciation of these invocations.

Finding the right props and equipment for yoga

Props and equipment are not mandatory for yoga. However, having the right accessories at your disposal can significantly enhance your practice. Finding the right yoga props like matters, blanket, or chair is important since these accessories make the practise comfortable.

• Yoga mats

Yoga mats are not indispensable, but if you need that extra thickness for traction, get one for yourself. However, you may start your session after laying a towel on the wooden floor. In case you do use a yoga mat, secure it properly so that it doesn’t slide under your pressure.

• Yoga blankets

Yoga blankets are versatile and happen to be a stable for most restorative enthusiasts. These accessories significantly support the wrists, knees, and joints. If you are looking for a standard yoga blanket, get one with a thick texture. Traditionally, these blankets are made of cotton, wool, or a blended material. Get a blanket for yoga that covers the entire body when you lie in Savasana.

• Yoga blocks

Yoga blocks are effective in moving you closer to your floor. These blocks go a long way in stabilizing you during your practice, helping you gain more balance. 

Even experienced yogis use yoga blocks to overcome their body limitations. With these props, you can fully express your poses or stretch your body. Experts recommend purchasing two blocks to craft a more stable foundation.

• Yoga straps

Yoga straps are pretty common as a useful accessory. Purchase a flexible and long strap, that would help you reach the maximum while stretching. Besides, these straps come in handy for individuals having tight hamstrings or a still lower back. With the right props, you can connect more poses by accessing the appropriate points.

What type of yoga class would be right for you?

Yoga classes focus on different styles. While some of these are relatively easy, others are quite challenging. Again, some yoga styles are restorative and gentle. Besides, in modern yoga classes, trainers play music. You will also find a connection of spiritualty and philosophy in some yoga classes, while others might be devoid of these.

Depending on your requirements, it’s imperative to choose the right type of yoga session. Here are some of the common types of yoga classes that you should know as a beginner.

• Hatha

In Western countries like the US, most yoga styles that are taught in reputed institutions include the hatha form. This term indicates the physical part of the practise, and not the meditation or philosophy involved in yoga. This is a combination of breathing exercises and poses, and they can be gentle as well as challenging. Before enrolling yourself for hatha yoga, check out the difficulty level with the instructor.

• Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga can be quite challenging. This type of yoga classes would help you master a progressive series of body postures. Traditionally, the aspirants learn this type of yoga under the mentorship of their teacher. 

Well, if you ever felt that yoga doesn’t require physical stamina or workout, you should try out Ashtanga Yoga. From shoulder stands to headstands, these classes will help you gain more body balance. Besides, Ashtanga Yoga also includes insights into yoga philosophy.

• Vinyasa or Flow Yoga

 Vinyasa Yoga is also referred to as Flow Yoga since these classes involve typically energetic sequences. Headstands, arm balances, hand stands, and shoulder stands are some of the common poses you would learn. Along with this, many classes include musical accompaniment to create the right ambiance.

• Power Yoga

If you are interested in a yoga form that would help you build strength, try out power yoga. However, beginners should try out other forms of yoga at the outset, since this is an advanced stage of yoga. Since this requires a lot of strength, you need to build the physical stamina at the outset. For instance, power yoga involves handstands and headstands, along with other difficult poses.

• Restorative Yoga

As a beginner, you may be looking for a bit relaxation from your yoga classes. Restorative yoga is a style that involves restful postures, and you need to retain your body in these poses for extended periods. Besides, this type of yoga includes light twists, gentle back-bends, seated forward folds, and other light workouts. Generally, you need props like blocks, blankets, and bolsters while practising restorative yoga.

• Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga can give you a good deal of stretching experience. The poses aim to help the connective tissues around your pelvis, knees, and spine to stretch. No wonder, you will enjoy more flexibility with yin yoga. In these yoga classes, you need to hold the poses for longer periods. This can range from three minutes to five minutes. Yin yoga is a cool and quite type of yoga, where you would understand how firmly you can sit still.

• Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar Yoga is a specific style that helps your muscles and joints coordinate better. You will get to know about the accuracy of your postures. In Iyengar Yoga, you will be using different types of props. These include straps, blocks, bolsters, and blankets. This way, you will move toward greater accuracy with your postures. Some yoga classes also include ropes. These ropes remain anchored to the walls, so that you can practise the poses accurately. In Iyengar Yoga, you would also learn more about breathing exercises. Most importantly, Iyengar Yoga instructors also help aspirants understand yoga psychology.

Wrapping up

Now that you know the different forms of yoga and how to get started, you may look out for an instructor. There’s no denying that yoga connects the body and soul, delivering lots of physical and spiritual benefits. 

However, yoga also needs precision or accuracy to elicit the best results. Look out the right set of props as you plan to get started with your yoga classes.