The New Year calls for new habits. One of the best ways of connecting with your mind and body is through a yoga routine. Magical things happen when you stick to practice, and as time passes, you begin to witness improvements and changes in the way your body moves and your mind works. Yoga promotes the union of mind, body, and soul – it encourages us to move mindfully and with intention, honouring our breathing, engaging the core and taking care of the spine.
The benefits of yoga are endless. Many rely on the practice to improve their fitness, strength, balance, and flexibility. For many of us, mediation and yoga offer a space to slow down and connect more fully with ourselves. Truthfully, whatever your reasons, there are many ways that you can benefit from the practice. If you want to learn more about the benefits of yoga, then check out our previous blog.
If you’re wondering about how to get started, then keep reading. Developing a new routine can be challenging. This can also apply to yoga if you have never tried it. But maybe it’s time for you to delve right in. Here are 5 tips to help you get started.
Do a Bit of Reading
Like with anything else, a bit of research can go a long way. Learning about the origins of yoga and what the practice involves is an excellent way of getting into it. Before you get started on the moves, maybe you can learn about their philosophy. The more you learn, the better you’ll know what to expect, but the more you’ll benefit from practice – and this applies to other methods.
Incorporate It Into Your Daily Life
Your yoga routine needs to fit in with your life and your schedule. For some people, the morning is the best time for hopping on the mat. For others, a gentle routine before bedtime is better. First, think about how you want your yoga practice to serve you. What do you want to gain from it? Once you know the answers, it’s easier to find a time that is right for you. Yoga with Adriene is a great place to get started.
Sign up For a Class Bear You
If you’re an absolute beginner, signing up for a class near you may be the best option. A class can have many benefits: you have an instructor that can help you through the different moves ensuring you don’t injure your body. But also get a chance to connect with other members, share your practice, and create a sense of community. If developing a routine is usually difficult for you, having others hold you accountable may help you stick to it. Also, I find when I pay, I usually go.
Create an Ambiance
For those who want to develop a home practice creating an ambiance can go a long way. You don’t need a lot of space. But having a yoga ‘corner’ can really help you get into it. I like to have plants around me, gentle music and burn natural incense. Having a sense of ambiance and a space dedicated to my practice can help put me in the right mood.
Take It Slow
Yoga isn’t about jumping into headstands. Instead, honour the practice by listening to your body, taking it slow and giving yourself the time and space to create and connect. This is your time to slow down, put judgment aside and just be. It’s so much about the journey and not about the destination.
Here’s to a beautiful and peaceful yoga routine! Namaste.
