You’ve decided that you want to start yoga, but other than that, you have no clue where to begin. Sound familiar?

I’ve been there too! When I discovered that I had an interest in practicing yoga, I had no clue where to begin. I knew I wanted to be able to do cool headstands (which have amazing  and twist my body into beautiful shapes, but that was about it. It actually took me about a year to actually step onto a yoga mat, and even though it was the best feeling ever, I still didn’t know where to turn for help because no one in my close circle practiced. So, I made lemonade from the lemons this situation handed me and found ways to become better connected to my local yoga community. I’m always excited to share what I’ve learned with my B&B friends, so prepare to take some mental notes.

Here are 8 ways to start yoga.

 

1. Go to classes at a local yoga studio

One of the easiest and safest ways to start practicing yoga is to visit a local yoga studio. This is a great way to be introduced to the terminology and postures of yoga. Plus, it’s a safeguard for ensuring your alignment and form is correct to avoid injury. Additional (huge) benefits of going to a yoga studio are meeting new people, being looped in on upcoming events and fun classes, and having the liberty to try different types of yoga to really find what best suits you.

If you can’t afford a membership, many studios offer the first class free and have rates for individual or “drop-in” visits.

Cost: Free; $10-20 per class (varies by location)

2. Do yoga at home 

I’m a huge fan of practicing yoga at home. I love having the liberty of breaking out into a quick yoga session in the comfort of my own space. Plus, my cat Desi is the best yoga partner ever!
While practicing yoga at home can be pretty awesome, please be safe and if possible, integrate classes with a yoga teacher into the mix to work on alignment and proper execution of poses. Not every pose is as easy it looks or feels and having a trained professional to show you the ropes is always a plus. Here are some tips to help you start your home yoga practice.

Cost: Free 

3. Go to yoga events near you

You’re probably looking at this header thinking: “That would be great, but how can I know what’s going on in my local yoga community when this is all new to me?!” Well, I’m just going to keep it real and let you know that Google, social media and word of mouth will be your best friends in this department. All of these things were a major help for me (and still are) when I’m looking for yoga events in my city.

For example, through a Facebook search, I discovered that every Sunday, a local park has free yoga classes that are open to the public. I also found out that Wanderlust was coming to my city via word of mouth and I kept seeing mentions of it on Instagram. So, a quick Google search of “yoga + (insert your city)” could open the floodgates of events in your area. You can also check community boards at yoga studios, local yoga apparel stores and even some of the eateries and fresh markets in your neighborhood might promote events. Yoga is so universal that you never know who’ll be hosting a class—I’ve even seen local libraries host free classes.

Cost: Free or varies depending on the event

4. Read yoga-related magazines and blogs

The best way to learn about something you’re interested in starting is to read about it! There are several magazines, blogs and books that are dedicated to yoga, and they really do cater to people of all levels. When I first started yoga, I was constantly researching terms that I heard during classes. Some of my favorite online yoga destinations are Black Girl in Om, Yoga Journal and Yogi Approved.

Cost: Free

5. Look for classes online

I’m a huge fan of finding online yoga classes. There are tons of free and subscription-based yoga programs available online that are worth checking out. I follow several yoga teachers on YouTube and incorporate their videos into my at-home practice. Some yoga studios even have classes available through mobile apps! Check out some of my favorite free yoga resources for inspiration.

Cost: Free or cost may vary if you do subscription service

6. Follow yogis on social media

Social media has been a tool that’s introduced me to so many inspirational yogis! Besides being a place where yogis post pretty poses and perfectly plated meal prep pics, social media is also a place where they share yoga tips and upcoming classes and events that they’re participating in. I use Instagram to search for hashtags that are specific to my city/region, and I’ve been able to attend classes and workshops that my favorite yoga teachers from around the world were hosting. It also connected me to local yoga studios and classes, which is a plus for yogis of all levels.

Cost: Free

7. Partner with a friend who practices yoga

Know someone who teaches or practices yoga regularly? Good! Ask to join them at their next class. Sometimes having a familiar face in the room is the perfect remedy to alleviate any fear or discomfort during your first yoga class. The first time I attended a class at a yoga studio, I was a bit nervous and intimidated and having a buddy on the mat right next to me helped ease those feelings. 

Cost: Free or the cost of a drop-in class

8. Find out if your gym offers classes

If you already have a gym membership, check out the gym schedule to see if any beginner yoga classes are available. If you’re like me and you have a workout routine in place but would like to incorporate yoga into your regimen, this is an easy and cost-effective way to start the transition. 

Cost: Your usual gym membership fee

Doing these things helped jumpstart my yoga practice while connecting me to my local yoga community. Whether you’re looking to start your yoga practice from scratch or you want to spice things up in your current routine, try them out and let me know your thoughts by shooting me an email at margo@beautyandthebeatblog.com. 

Ciao Bellas, 
Margo