5 Mistakes Beginner Yoga Practitioners Make
I often hear people say they don’t want to try yoga, because they are not flexible enough. That’s like saying “I don’t want to go to French class, because I can’t speak French”. I understand it’s easy to get intimated and self-conscious when you look at all the flawless photos representing yoga on social media or in ads. You don’t need to be good at yoga to start trying yoga. Always remember that every yoga practitioner and teacher started as a beginner. Yoga is meant for everyone and offers a lot of physical and mental health benefits. There are a lot of different styles and teachers out there and the practice can always be modified to your needs.
Trying out something new is always intimidating, but it is also an exciting experience. Be proud of yourself for coming out of your comfort zone. It’s easy to make mistakes and they are part of every learning experience. Here are 5 common mistakes I see beginner’s make when they start with their practice. Being aware of these mistakes will make your first encounter(s) with yoga more enjoyable and you might end up getting hooked on the practice just like me.
1. Not going to beginner classes
A beginner yoga class will help you to develop a strong foundation for your yoga practice and provide you with a basic understanding of the poses, how to modify poses to your needs, teaching cues, breathing, and so much more at a beginner appropriate pace. The names of the poses alone can be very confusing the first time you hear them, especially when teachers use their Sanskrit names. Some studios also offer all level classes. I don’t recommend them to complete beginners, because the teacher will need to make the class interesting to practitioners of all levels. Going to a more advanced class as a beginner might leave you feeling defeated, frustrated and discouraged, which is not the point of your practice. Call the studio or gym and ask what classes they recommend for beginners.
2. Comparing yourself to others
Yoga is not a competition. Everyone’s body and practice are different, so comparing yourself to your neighbour in class or anyone else will only lead to negative thoughts and emotions. It will also distract you from your own practice. Focus on yourself and everything you have to offer. Yoga is one of the best ways to cultivate a deep sense of compassion for others and yourself. Be patient and respect your own learning curve.
3. Being attached to a specific result
When we practice yoga with a specific result in mind, we practice attachment. Non-attachment is an important component of the yoga practice and it teaches us when and how to let go and move on. Yoga poses are used to bring awareness to the body and mind, but they are not the ultimate goal of the yoga practice. Don’t get me wrong. It’s totally fine to have a pose in mind that you would like to achieve but being too attached to the outcome will leave you frustrated. Enjoy the journey, have fun with the practice, and don’t take yourself too seriously.
4. Holding your breath
When you go to your first yoga class, you might notice that the teacher asks you to inhale or exhale in certain poses. Learning to breathe in yoga poses will help you cultivate awareness, sink deeper into poses, relax and energize the body and mind. We tend to hold our breath when we are holding a pose, but that will only build up more tension in your body. As a beginner, just remember to breathe during your yoga practice. You will notice that the more you practice, the easier it will become to link your breathing with your movement.
5. Only trying one class and one style of yoga
Maybe you’ve been to a yoga class before and you did not really like it. Before you completely give up on yoga, maybe try out a different teacher or style. As I mentioned before, there are many different styles of yoga and some may fit your needs better than others. The same applies to the teacher as people have different teaching and learning styles.
Trying out something new is always intimidating, but it is also an exciting experience. Be proud of yourself for coming out of your comfort zone. It’s easy to make mistakes and they are part of every learning experience. Here are 5 common mistakes I see beginner’s make when they start with their practice. Being aware of these mistakes will make your first encounter(s) with yoga more enjoyable and you might end up getting hooked on the practice just like me.
1. Not going to beginner classes
A beginner yoga class will help you to develop a strong foundation for your yoga practice and provide you with a basic understanding of the poses, how to modify poses to your needs, teaching cues, breathing, and so much more at a beginner appropriate pace. The names of the poses alone can be very confusing the first time you hear them, especially when teachers use their Sanskrit names. Some studios also offer all level classes. I don’t recommend them to complete beginners, because the teacher will need to make the class interesting to practitioners of all levels. Going to a more advanced class as a beginner might leave you feeling defeated, frustrated and discouraged, which is not the point of your practice. Call the studio or gym and ask what classes they recommend for beginners.
2. Comparing yourself to others
Yoga is not a competition. Everyone’s body and practice are different, so comparing yourself to your neighbour in class or anyone else will only lead to negative thoughts and emotions. It will also distract you from your own practice. Focus on yourself and everything you have to offer. Yoga is one of the best ways to cultivate a deep sense of compassion for others and yourself. Be patient and respect your own learning curve.
3. Being attached to a specific result
When we practice yoga with a specific result in mind, we practice attachment. Non-attachment is an important component of the yoga practice and it teaches us when and how to let go and move on. Yoga poses are used to bring awareness to the body and mind, but they are not the ultimate goal of the yoga practice. Don’t get me wrong. It’s totally fine to have a pose in mind that you would like to achieve but being too attached to the outcome will leave you frustrated. Enjoy the journey, have fun with the practice, and don’t take yourself too seriously.
4. Holding your breath
When you go to your first yoga class, you might notice that the teacher asks you to inhale or exhale in certain poses. Learning to breathe in yoga poses will help you cultivate awareness, sink deeper into poses, relax and energize the body and mind. We tend to hold our breath when we are holding a pose, but that will only build up more tension in your body. As a beginner, just remember to breathe during your yoga practice. You will notice that the more you practice, the easier it will become to link your breathing with your movement.
5. Only trying one class and one style of yoga
Maybe you’ve been to a yoga class before and you did not really like it. Before you completely give up on yoga, maybe try out a different teacher or style. As I mentioned before, there are many different styles of yoga and some may fit your needs better than others. The same applies to the teacher as people have different teaching and learning styles.