Yoga isn’t about looking good, it’s about feeling good. When you move your body intentionally (i.e., taking note of how specific shapes and movements feel in the body), you’re strengthening your mind-body connection. This kind of awareness can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while simultaneously increasing self-confidence, overall health, and patience. Plus, bringing an unencumbered awareness to yourself lets you see your truest potential. Don’t be intimidated by bendy models in expensive spandex. Yoga is for everyone and every body—here’s the lowdown on how you can start your own practice.

Gear

One defining aspect of yoga is that you can do it anywhere—a hotel floor, someone’s backyard, your friend’s basement, and the local gym. All you need is some space and comfortable clothing. Aside from those basics, here are a few things that can help.

1. Mat

Aside from helping your hands and feet stay put, a yoga mat can also help center your practice. Think of it as a safe, personal island—a clean place you can move around, let it all go, and just do your own thing.

2. Apparel

What matters most when choosing your yoga clothes is range of motion. You want to be as unencumbered as possible. There’s nothing wrong with old high school t-shirts and gym shorts, but if you’re for looking an excuse to revamp your athleisure wardrobe, starting a yoga practice is the perfect excuse.

3. Props

Especially when you first embark on your yoga quest, props can be your best friends. Think of blocks as a way to bring the ground closer to you, and straps as a way to extend your limbs. Generally speaking, the more connection you have with the ground and the more space you can make with your body, the safer and deeper the stretch.

Getting Started

Start slow. This doesn’t mean move at snail’s pace in between poses; rather, it’s important to realize that there are many, many poses that take consistent practice over many months, or sometimes years. So, start with the basics and build a strong, resilient foundation that will support your body as you slowly incorporate more complex postures. Little by little you will get wherever you want to go.

On top of this, every body’s anatomy is different. Take this to heart and don’t judge your performance based on others. Maybe your hips are narrow or naturally tight, while someone else’s arms are longer or more flexible. The best measuring stick is smiling at yourself in the mirror every once in a while and just noticing the power of discipline and determination.

Pro Tips

Safety First                                                  

Above all else, listen to your body. You can recognize the difference between something that is difficult and something that is painful. If your knee is telling you something, listen. But if it’s your mind just talking up a storm, know how to trust your body and turn off the self-doubt. You are strong. You are capable. You are your body’s expert.

As a general rule, it’s important not to stress your joints. Don’t hyperextend your elbows or knees. You want the stretch to feel concentrated in the muscles, not behind the knee or in your armpit.

Glossary

Most of the yoga that we practice in the U.S. has been adapted from centuries-old Indian traditions. Depending on the studio you frequent or the online resources you browse, some postures or key phrases might be in Sanskrit.

Different schools of yoga and yoga classes:

Next Steps

Find a routine, online content, or a studio that resonates with you.

You don’t have to pay for studio classes to continue deepening and improving your yoga practice. Find your own routine, whether it’s 15 minutes in your living room every morning or following a YouTube video before you go to bed. Hold yourself accountable. You are more than capable of rolling out a mat and at least lying on the floor, undistracted for half an hour. Don’t forget 30 minutes is only 2% of your entire day.

There is a lot of quality content online (some free and some available for purchase) that makes it convenient to do yoga in your own home or while traveling.

That said, practicing with a group of people can be very energizing and inspiring. Capitalize on the “free first weeks” or discounted first months that most studios offer. Don’t shy away from trying out a variety of classes, instructors, and studios. Just like every body is different, so is every class. Finding the right studio, class, and teacher is just as important as finding the right size of running shoes. Keep trying them out and when one sticks, don’t give it up!

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