Yoga Mistakes by Beginners
When we begin something new we usually feel worried of the unknown and in most cases it is unfounded as we adapt very quickly. Yoga has many health benefits, both a physically and mentally, that it would be a shame to miss out on them if we made an avoidable mistake on our first day which lead to a negative first impression. In this article we look at 3 common mistakes which happen when people attempt yoga for the first time and how to avoid them.
Mistake One: Not knowing what you want from Yoga
The reality is that there are several different styles and forms of Yoga and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Ask yourself what initially attracted you to yoga and then you can identify a style that caters more specifically to your physical, mental or spiritual needs. Discuss what you want to achieve from yoga with your instructor before you begin. Yoga instructors are usually very approachable and happy to talk about their passion. They will be able to talk to you about your goals for the class and let you know if you are being realistic, aiming too high or too low. Make sure you goal includes a timeframe so it becomes something that is measurable.
Mistake Two: Going too fast too quickly
Once deciding to begin yoga many people decide to join a 12 month stage by stage class. These classes usually involve an upfront payment and involve progressing from one level to the next as the weeks progress. They are a great way of learning yoga, but it’s quite possible that you will choose a class that is not ideal for you.
The best way around this is to join a beginner΄s class. If you do these classes for a few weeks you will notice a high turnover of students as new people join and old people move on. These classes are designed to give you a very broad feel for the different types of Yoga. The level of the students in the class usually varies greatly so you can expect the instructor to keep the classes quite tame. The other key benefit of doing this is that the classes are pay as you go so there is no big financial outlay for you while you decide the type and style of yoga that best suits you. You are also not obliged to attend every class. With the longer courses you can fall behind quickly if you miss a week or two in a row. With the pay as you go classes you will find that while each class is different the level stays quite low to cater for the newer people joining in.
Mistake Three: Choosing the Wrong Teacher
Traditionally a Yogi had to be an apprentice to a skilled guru for many years before he could teach even the simplest yoga technique. Nowadays a 3-day course over a long weekend is considered enough by some people. There is a big difference in what you will achieve depending on the skills and abilities of the person teaching you. Yoga injuries can easily occur and this is usually due to insufficiently skilled instructos. A properly trained instructor will also have been trained in injury prevention. A qualified teacher won’t necessarily be fantastic and an unqualified teacher won’t necessarily be terrible but the odds are certainly cast in that direction, so it’s a good idea to check your instructors background and qualifications before you begin studying with them.
Regular yoga practice is very beneficial for health and so it is important to identify the type of yoga that is best for you and to begin slowly. Being comfortable with your instructor is very important. Once you have identified these you can start your yoga journey and look forward to a lifetime of health benefits as you develop physically, mentally and spiritually.