Yoga is an ancient practice that has been around for thousands of years. It is a combination of physical and mental exercises that can help to improve your overall health and wellbeing. For beginners, it can be difficult to know where to start. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to get started with yoga, from the basics of the practice to tips on finding the right instructor.
Hatha Yoga is a great place to start for beginners. It is a slower-paced practice that focuses on balancing the two energies of the body. Common poses for beginners include the dog face down, the child's pose, and the savasana. The easy posture (Sukhasana) is also a great introduction to more advanced cross-legged postures.
Yoga breathing techniques are also an important part of the practice. They can help to bring a sense of calm and focus to your practice, as well as providing a way to meditate. When starting out, it is important to find an experienced yoga instructor who has at least a 200-hour teaching certificate from a Yoga Alliance accredited program. This will ensure that you are learning the poses safely and effectively.
In class, you will be instructed on how to move your body and breathe during the exercises. Once you feel ready for the physical part of your practice, you can start experimenting with yoga poses for beginners. Look for online yoga videos or DVDs that are suitable for beginners, or attend a class at your local yoga studio. When attending a class, it is important to remember that different instructors may teach different breathing styles.
It is also important to remember that yoga poses have both Sanskrit and English names - Adho mukha svanasana, for example, is more commonly known as an upside-down dog.
