Yoga changed my entire outlook on life. It is a practice that I am so passionate about and am eager to analyze and discuss every chance I get.
Ever since committing to a daily yoga practice about five years ago, I feel as though I am expanding, softening, and evolving more and more each day, both as a human being and as a soul. This self-practice is also the foundation I build my teaching upon. I have the same intentions for my students’ evolution as I have for my own.
I am an RYT-200 which means I studied yoga and trained under a certified school/teacher for a specific amount of time, which, in this case is 200 hours (the minimum amount required to become a registered yoga teacher).
Although I don’t believe professional titles or certifications are the sole measurement of a person’s knowledge or worth, there is something to be said for pouring time and dedication into a passion.
That is exactly why I decided to follow my heart and become an RYT, so I had the qualifications to safely and effectively share this practice. And to, of course, enrich my own personal practice and understanding of yoga.
Yoga is a centuries-old concept that is rich in Eastern philosophy, with many limbs. I mean, literally… there are “8 Limbs” to the path of yoga. Unfortunately, it is not possible for me to provide you with even a quarter of the information necessary to fully conceptualize this art of breath, movement, and consciousness in a simple blog post!
That being said, the general goal is to communicate, to the best of my ability, what it means to “practice yoga” authentically, why it is essential for our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, and how we can interweave yoga into our lives (perhaps eventually as a daily ritual), both on and off the mat.
What is Yoga, Really?
Yoga means, literally, “to yoke together” or “unity” or “union.” Although yoga directly translates to union, I personally feel it is not something that cannot be defined. I believe yoga to be more of a feeling than an actual tangible “thing.”
Mindfulness, or the mind-body connection, is what separates Yoga from just being “stretching and breathing.” The TRUE purpose of yoga is not to get a toned body, become more flexible or nail a handstand. (Although, these are things that often just come organically with the practice over time and yes, they are additional benefits.) It is to obtain consciousness, union with the Divine, and bliss (Samadhi).
Asanas are the postures themselves.This is the third limb of yoga (so as you can see, it is not the only aspect of yoga, and definitely not the most important!). So yes, yoga can be physically demanding at times, therefore deeming it a “workout.” But yoga is really a “work-in.” We tune into our intuition to tune out everything else.
Asana alone will stretch, detoxify, and tone our physical body, but the complete practice of Yoga in its entirety will stretch, detoxify, and tone both body AND mind, which is something far more valuable.
Starting Yoga
For many, just the thought of walking into a yoga class for the first time can be intimidating enough to make someone want to curl up into a ball and stay in bed.
Trust me, I understand! Aside from having taken random classes in gyms and various other places in the past, I was lucky enough to have started my consistent practice in a warm, welcoming, and nurturing environment. But that is not always the case for beginners.
Trying anything new can be scary, especially something as intimate as yoga. Something you must make sure of, whether you are practicing in a gym, yoga studio, fitness/physical therapy center, doing private sessions, or any other scenario, is that you are keeping yourself safe, doing Asanas with proper form, and not pushing too far past your physical boundaries.
As ecstatic as I am to see how mainstream yoga has become in recent years, it is also a bit worrisome. We all know that the more popularized something becomes, the more people want to hop on the commercialization bandwagon, and that is when integrity starts to get lost. In the case of yoga, both spiritual and physical integrity of the practice are becoming jeopardized.
This is my opinion: I think there are so many amazing teachers out there, both seasoned and new, but there are also many teachers that are misinformed, egotistical, or simply do not have the knowledge or experience to make educated decisions when it comes to injury prevention.
This is not to say that their intentions are bad! Most practitioners that decide to become teachers have nothing but the purest, most wonderful intentions. The fact is that yoga is a complex practice that requires years and years and refinement, and oftentimes we want to jump right in and be considered “experts.” Such is life.
My point is, be true to YOU, stay in your body, on your mat, in your mind, and no one else’s. Be here now. This is your practice and I know it may seem cliché but it truly does not matter what the person next to you is doing. We are all on our own individual path and that path looks quite different for everyone.
Where To Begin?
As mentioned, yoga has become quite popular over the last few years, so you can find classes anywhere from your local gym to senior centers to physical therapy offices to of course, yoga studios.
Oftentimes, people who already have an interest in fitness and mobility find their way to yoga through classes at their gym. This is a great way to start. However, be mindful of what you are doing, because gyms (particularly large corporations) usually do not have the same principles or interests as a studio or physical therapy place does.
This is not to say the gym is a “bad” environment to practice yoga in, but it is sometimes not a favorable environment for a practitioner who has the desire to explore the subtle body as well as the physical body. Approach primarily fitness-based yoga classes with caution, as they often can distort one’s idea of what yoga actually is at its core.
This goes not only for gyms, but many studios as well. We must keep in mind that yoga is not only an ancient sacred spiritual practice, but also a business. When exploring different yoga studios, let your intuition be your guide. Trust the vibrations you get from the environment you are in. Settle into the space, absorb the energy of the studio you’re practicing in and see how it makes you feel.
It’s pretty simple: Good vibes = good place to practice. Bad vibes = find a different place to practice. Trust your gut. Yoga is about going inward, so if you find that it’s hard to feel at peace in the environment you’re currently practicing in, it may be time for a change.
The best advice I have is to gravitate toward a place where you feel comfortable, safe, peaceful, and leave feeling better than you did when you walked in the door for class. Whether that is a gym, studio, park, beach, or your own home (I often self-practice in my garage!) is completely up to you and does NOT determine whether or not you are a “real yogi.” REAL yoga is YOUR yoga.
Tips & Recommendations
I have accumulated some tips over the years that may help you ease into this routine more smoothly.
Gear
In Light On Yoga, BKS Iyengar wrote, on Asana:
“Asanas are not merely gymnastics exercises, they are postures. To perform them one needs a clean airy space, a blanket and determination, while for other systems of physical training one needs large playing fields and costly equipment. Asanas can be done alone, as the limbs of the body provide the necessary weights and counter-weights.”
This is one of the convenient and unique things about yoga, little to no equipment is necessary to practice. However I do believe there is something to be said for practicing on a high quality yoga mat with superior grip.
I can tell you from experience, shelling out the extra cash for a super-grippy, slip-resistant yoga mat is very much worth the investment. The grip of a mat can make or break your asana practice! Also, if you sweat a lot or take heated classes, you may be more prone to slipping on your mat or straining your wrists in an effort not to slide. A good yoga mat can help prevent this. Plus, they last much longer than the cheap, slippery ones!
I started on a Jade mat and have owned the same one ever since! It’s just beginning to wear out from so much use, but it’s still good! I also have a super thin Manduka mat for traveling.
Some reputable brands to check out:
Etiquette
- Arrive to class at least 10 minutes early when possible. This will give you time to settle in, find a good spot for your mat, get to know your teacher and inform them of anything they might need to know before you begin, such as this being your first yoga class, an injury, not wanting hands-on adjustments, etc.
Take your shoes off before entering the studio area. This is a common courtesy and you don’t need shoes for yoga anyway! 🙂
TURN YOUR PHONE OFF. Sorry but I cannot stress this one enough. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen people literally answering text messages in the middle of class! That is defeating the whole purpose of coming to yoga. In my humble opinion, one of the best parts of yoga is getting away from all the outside noise such as our phones. We are here to tune into ourselves and take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. PLEASE, for your own sanity and the sanity of those around you, save the texting and social media for after class. Life will be there waiting for you when class is over!
It’s best to grab props (such as blocks, a strap, bolsters, and blankets) before the class begins, even if the instructor doesn’t say so. That way, if you end up needing them at any point, you have them handy. If you’re not sure if you need them, your teacher should advise you how and when to properly use your props. No pun intended. 😉
Books
I highly recommend using books as a resource to dive deeper. I have learned so much about the philosophy of yoga and a bit about alignment and anatomy through some amazing books written by world-renowned teachers.
Some of my favorites are:
- Light On Yoga by BKS Iyengar
- Autobiography Of A Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
- Be Here Now by Ram Dass
- Teaching Yoga and Yoga Sequencing by Mark Stephens
Online Classes
I recommend taking classes in person, at least in the beginning, to get the most out of your practice and to learn foundational postures, transitions and the importance of proper alignment. These concepts can seem quite foreign and elusive if you are just starting out. There are also different styles of yoga, which can make things a bit more confusing.
However, some people choose to start yoga by following along with instructional videos at home. This is definitely better than not moving at all, especially if you have limited time and/or access to a gym or studio.
If you have any physical disabilities, injuries or are currently recovering from an injury, private sessions or a physical therapy office that offers yoga may be a good option (although you can always modify any class to suit your needs).
So for those who wish to practice at home, but still need guidance, here are some good quality online yoga networks to utilize:
Monthly Fee:
Free On YouTube:
- Fightmaster Yoga
- Yoga with Adrienne
Conclusion
The idea of starting yoga may seem daunting to some, especially if you don’t have a background in gymnastics or dance (I certainly don’t), but yoga is truly for EVERYONE!
Just remember that the purpose is not to “achieve” anything, per se, but it is more about feeling in tune with ourselves, getting to know our bodies and our minds, and being able to bring that feeling of harmony we’ve cultivated on our mat out into the world and into our daily lives.
Don’t worry about what anyone else says. Practice YOUR yoga, whatever that may look like right now. It will evolve as you do, and that’s part of the practice. Practice with intention, mindfulness and integrity, and never forget why you started.
No matter what we experience in our lives, what changes we go through, any growth that occurs, injuries, hiatuses, highs, lows, and all the moments in between, our yoga mat can provide a safe space to come home to, again, and again, and again.
Do you practice yoga? Have any advice for those just starting out? How do you feel about the spirituality of yoga? Please leave feedback in the comments!
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