Finding Your Way On the Yoga Mat—Getting Started With Yoga

I’ll be the first to admit I am a complete beginner when it comes to yoga. I often have the characteristic stiff walk of someone who just got out of the car after a cross-country drive—a sure tell that I’m not regularly finding my flow on the yoga mat. It’s not that I don’t want to: I gaze in awe at photos of my friends on Instagram balancing on one foot with the other in the air while I’m so tight that I struggle to bend over and tie my shoes. But, the seemingly endless catalog of yoga classes can be very intimidating, and from goat yoga to laughing yoga, it feels like there are newly-minted types of yoga every year. If you’re anything like me, you might fall prey to paralysis by analysis. It can be challenging for us beginners to figure out how to navigate all the choices and get started on a routine.

Fortunately, with the help of two certified yoga instructors and some how-to videos from Kelsey Kennedy and Jenn Lacy, co-founders of Chrysalis , we’ve compiled all the best, must-know information and tips for beginning yoga. Read on to learn how to find your flow.

The Benefits of Yoga

The roots of yoga span back over 5000 years. Today, yoga is practiced and adored all over the world, and with good reason: it has many benefits. Most people immediately think of the improvements in flexibility and balance, but the benefits go far beyond that. Research has demonstrated that a consistent yoga practice can increase muscular strength and both cardiovascular and respiratory function. It can also reduce stress, anxiety, chronic pain, and depression and improve sleep quality and overall wellbeing.

It can decrease stress. 

Stress in our lives seems almost as inevitable as Monday following Sunday, so finding ways to manage and reduce it can be quite helpful. “Yoga has been shown to influence our serotonin levels that help balance our mood,” shares Howe. “It can help link the brain and nervous system, [and] that feeling of balance helps reduce cortisol—a stress hormone.” Brodie shares that breathing through the poses helps clear the mind. “Mental clarity brings awareness to how we view ourselves, the world, and others."

It can help manage anxiety.

Howe says that the majority of her yoga students initially seek out yoga to help manage their anxiety. She says that the focus on breath work, in particular, makes yoga an effective means to become more present and have some control over your anxiety. “When [students] place focus on their breath and how a particular part of their body holding tension receives that breath, a student most often realizes they have control. They can choose how deep to take that pose, how to regress and be kind to the body, as they learn to listen more to what the body has to say,” explains Howe. “In essence, they’ve taken control back, and often that, in and of itself, helps reduce the feeling of anxiety.”

It increases mobility.

We tend to lose mobility of our joints and muscles as we age. The flexibility work in yoga helps prevent this decline and keeps us feeling more youthful. “Increased mobility increases our range of motion and has also been shown to reduce inflammation,” says Howe. Our experts note that certain yoga poses can help reduce low back pain and stiffness.

It increases flexibility and balance of the body and mind.

“Flexibility in yoga practice is not just about reaching your toes. It’s about the journey towards your toes—the flexibility to be open-minded, and to release the ego and just be,” shares Howe, who adds that balance in yoga should also be considered holistically, rather than just in terms of not toppling over when holding Tree pose. The emphasis on the mind-body connection in yoga helps develop physical balance and allows us to tune into our emotional needs and honor those needs. With that said, Howe notes not to diminish the power of improving your physical balance. “On those days when balance aligns, and we can stand in Tree pose without wobbling, that rush of adrenaline—the confidence boost—is amazing.”

What Does Yoga Work?

One of the greatest benefits of yoga is that it can provide a low-impact, total-body workout. Some poses help increase the strength and flexibility of your arms, shoulders, back, abdominals and core, hips, glutes, and legs.

“In yoga, you are using your bodyweight to build strength, tone muscles, and increase your flexibility,” explains Brodie. “This practice is phenomenal for core strength. With a strong core comes the improvement of posture and reduction of injuries.”

”Building core strength by breathing into and out of each pose helps support the spine, which encourages good posture,” adds Howe. “When we stand tall, not only does that affect our joints, it affects our self-esteem. We feel uplifted.”

What to Know Before You Start Yoga

Whether you're going to head to your local Bikram yoga studio, take a Vinyasa class at your gym, or roll out your mat for an at-home Hatha yoga streaming video, there are a few things to know to help make the experience “love at first breath.”

Yoga is for you. 

“You don’t need to be ‘in shape.’ You don’t need to have a certain level of flexibility because there is always a modification,” says Brodie. “Anyone can do yoga (including my 97-year-old grandmother).” Howe agrees, noting, “Yoga is for everybody and every body.”

It's okay if you can't do a certain pose.

If you're in a class environment, your teacher may suggest modifications to make various poses more or less difficult. If you're following along with a video at home, or if you hit a pose that just doesn't feel good, you can always feel safe to rest in Child’s pose. There's also absolutely no shame in simply resting on your mat and focusing on breathing. Yoga is all about cultivating the mind-body connection, so listen to and honor your body, especially when it needs a break. “Let your body guide you on the journey it needs to be on and not where you want it to be,” suggests Howe.

Bring water to class.

You need to hydrate your body with water before, during, and after class.

There are many styles of yoga.

If you’re scrolling through what seems like an endless list of classes, all with titles that mean nothing to you (Bikram? Hatha? Ashtanga? Yin? Vinyasa? Iyengar?), Howe has a few tips to ease your selection stress. “Think of the reasons you want to start your practice,” she says. “If you’ve never tried yoga before, maybe avoid the Power/Ashtanga type classes and Bikram (hot temperature). Get to know how your body feels in a regular temperature class,” she suggests. When in doubt, “Try many different styles, many different instructors,” Howe says. “You’ll know what works best for you.” There’s something for everyone or a style or flavor for every day of the week. After all, there’s even face yoga.

Equipment You’ll Need Before You Get Started

Both our experts agree that yoga doesn’t require much equipment, and most studios will have everything you need. But, in case you want to practice at home, “If you have access to a towel or a mat, you are good to go,” says Brodie. With that said, if you have the desire and means to purchase a few of your own “props,” Brodie has some advice. “Blocks can help accommodate you and help you to achieve poses at your flexibility level by basically bringing the floor up to you,” she says. “Yoga straps help with stretching, alignment, and posture. There are also yoga wheels, which help with backbends, shoulder stretches, and balance.”

Tips and Warnings for Beginners

Both of our experts agree that beginners should explore different styles of yoga and other class formats to find what resonates most. They also shared a few more nuggets of wisdom to help you get the most out of your first few classes (and beyond).

Wear comfortable clothing.

Howe suggests wearing comfortable clothing that won’t restrict your movement. She notes that you’ll likely remove your socks and shoes because bare feet help you connect to the ground and balance and help prevent slipping. 

Connect with your teacher.

Especially if it’s your first class, our experts suggest introducing yourself to the teacher before the class. Instructors who are aware of beginners can help point out specific modifications and provide extra assistance to make poses more approachable. 

Don’t compare yourself to others.

Your journey and your practice are yours alone. “It’s not about how a particular pose looks, but how it feels. If it feels good, do it; if it doesn’t, stop,” advises Howe.

Don’t push through pain.

“My only warning is that if it causes pain, stop immediately,” urges Brodie. “You know pain when you feel it. Other than that, consult your physician if you have any ailments or issues that you believe would hinder you from practicing.” 

Practice self-love.

“Be open-minded, try not to judge yourself, listen to your body, and listen to your thoughts,” Howe suggests. “Negative thoughts can have a strong influence on how your body responds.”

Be patient. 

“Just be open and know that it typically takes six to eight classes to get to know how your body feels,” Howe explains.

It may change your life.

Your yoga practice can have profound effects on your body, mind, and life. “Yoga has changed my life and has also changed the lives of others I know and love,” shares Brodie. “It’s not only a physical practice but one that will deepen your understanding of life—if you allow it.”

10 Yoga Poses for Beginners

If you’re eager to get going and don’t have time to pick a class right now, here are 10 beginner yoga moves you can easily do at home. 

Stay in each of the poses for seven breaths. Lengthen with each inhale, and find more depth with each exhale.