How to Start Yoga

“I am not flexible,“ “I can’t sit still“ or “I don’t have time.“

It seems easier to find the reason WHY NOT to start yoga than it is to find a reason WHY to start.

Common scene in a yoga class: one person sits relaxed in a full split while other people chill on the couch or another person is upside down... I understand that it be frightening to start yoga at first. I’ve been there and I still compare my practice from time to time to “super yogis“.

Yoga is not a competition of who is the strongest or the most flexible. It’s your own individual journey (even though you often practice yoga as a collective).

We are all unique, and so is our body!

We have different limitations and “weaknesses“ which we can work on individually. The most important is to realize that we can work through our limitations and outgrow our weaknesses, that’s the practice!

Sign up in a studio

Most common way: research local yoga studios, check them out and find one that resonates with you.
Signing up in a yoga studio can be a good motivation to be consistent in your practice.

The teacher can guide you, adjust you and answer questions if you have some. Usually studios offer beginner classes, which I recommend to visit first.

While other people find it motivating to practice with other people, other people might find it intimidating.

My advice: Let go of comparison!

Everybody visits a yoga class for a different reason and is at a different stage in their practice and their life... also, it doesn’t matter what other people are doing, the most important thing is that you are showing up on the mat... for YOURSELF.

Yoga isn’t about your physical performance, it is what you take from it and practice off the mat. I wrote an article “5 things yoga taught me“ to give you a deeper inside of my yoga experience, check it out, it might inspire you.

Start with Youtube Videos

Thanks to the Internet... you can find many yoga tutorials and flows (for every level) on YouTube, the best things it’s for free!

I still practice with YouTube videos. I save money and time, since I don’t have to travel to the studio.

Especially in Corona times, I appreciated the possibility to train online even more. It’s not the same feeling like going to a yoga studio, but it’s a good option and sometimes, the only option.

Here are some of my favorite channels for yoga:
- Boho beautiful: She offers yoga and pilates flows for all levels, beautiful mediations (I love her voice), videos about their travel experiences and vegan food tutorials.
- Chris Chavez: I did my yoga teacher training with him in Istanbul, he offers tutorials, full yoga classes from 75 up to 90 mins (All-levels, Intermediate and Advanced practice)
- Alomoves: They upload free yoga flows as a trial on youtube and offer full online classes on their website alomoves.com
- Mady Morrison: For my German readers

These are the main channels that I use for my yoga practice. There are plenty of other channels, just research and find a teacher that resonates with you.

Online classes and subscriptions

Many studios offer online classes via zoom or other programs, which you can join from anywhere in the world.

Especially during the lockdown, there was a massive increase of studios and teachers going online.

It is a beautiful way to stay connected!

From Germany and London, I was and still am able to join my mentor’s (Chris Chavez - Cihangir Yoga) classes who is based in Istanbul.

Studios or teachers offer online programs for beginners (check out Boho beautiful or doyouyoga).

Many website offer online subscriptions for daily yoga classes (My tips: alomoves, yoga international or glo).

The good thing about practicing online is that you are able to try out various styles like vinyasa yoga, hatha yoga, yin yoga, kundalini yoga and many more.

Research essential yoga poses for beginners

It is helpful to read about the basic yoga asanas (postures). It makes it easier to follow through the class. The traditional names of the asanas are in Sanskrit (not every teacher uses the Sanskrit names), but it makes sense to get familiar with the traditional names and the translation.

Here are some of the most important yoga asanas for beginners, which I recommend researching about:
- Surya Namaskar/Sun Salutations (there are two called Surya Namaskar A and B, it is enough to be familiar with Surya Namaskar A as a beginner) is part of almost every yoga class. It is a series that warms, strengthens and aligns the entire body. Sun Salutations are mainly used in the beginning of a class.
- Tadasana/Mountain pose: Is the base for all standing poses
- Adho Mukha Svanasana/Downward facing dog: It’s part of almost every yoga sequence and
often used as a transition posture
- Bhujangasana/Cobra
- Urdhva mukha svanasana/Upward facing dog
- Uttanasana/Forward fold
- Falakasana/Plank
- Chaturanga Dandasana/four-limbed staff pose: It is part of the sun salutation, I recommend to
watch some online videos
- Virabhadrasana I/ Warrior I
- Virabhadrasana II/ Warrior II: It's a good starting point for many side postures
- Uttitha Parvakonasana/Extended side angle pose
- Trikonasana/ Triangle pose
- Paschmottanasana/seated forward bend
- Savasana/Corpse pose: Its always the last asana of the class. It is a pose of total relaxation,
which makes it one of the most challenging

Don't worry! It might seem a lot at first, but the main asanas are mostly part of every sequence and you will get familiar with them quite fast. Repetition makes the master!

My last advice is to find a “Yoga buddy,“ a friend who can start yoga with you. It is fun, a good motivation and beautiful to start this journey with someone if you feel intimidated to go alone.

Yoga is a gift for everyone and you will feel the benefits over time.

Let it unfold and enjoy the process!