Yoga is weird. At least from the outside looking in, it’s an odd thing. Downward-what? Are we… chanting? I’m not flexible, so fuck it. The list can go on and on.
BUT if you have a little voice telling you to try something new to balance yourself out, then you’ve come to the right place!
Yoga truly is something that everyone can utilize. It’s extremely diverse with countless options to choose from – and no, it’s not all about stretching (unless you want it to be!). But the question is, where the heck do I even start this yoga thing?
If you still need some extra convincing on why yoga is the bomb for mountain lovers, check out my post here!
Get Clear on Your Why
I cannot stress this point enough, because this is where motivation is rooted. Being clear on why you want to incorporate something new into your life ensures it actually happens.
To get more flexible?
To spend more time on yourself?
Because your girlfriend is into it?
To try something new?
It doesn’t matter what the actual reason is, it’s just important to understand where your desires lie and what expectations are.
Start SMALL
One big misconception with starting anything really is that it has to take so much time. I am here to tell you that yoga does NOT! Step two to making any habit stick is to make it easy to incorporate into your life. That means starting with as little as five minutes of yoga is the way to go – if you have time for 15, then great! If not, no worries, you only really needed to commit to five!
Keep it Simple
Making new habits complicated is a sure-fire way to make sure these don’t stick. Which is why I’ve made the most basic of basic yoga flow below. Simple is better, my friends.
Seated Spinal Twists
Find any sort of comfortable seated position and reach through the top of the head to keep the spine long. Bring the left hand to the right knee, and the right arm behind you then shift the gaze over the right shoulder. Pause here for five breaths before moving to the other side.
Cat Cow
From your seated spinal twist, roll over your knees to come into a table top position keeping shoulders over wrists and hips over knees. Exhale and press into the hands and round through the upper back, coming into a cat-like position. As you inhale, reverse the movement and drop the belly towards the ground and shift the gaze towards the sky. Move through five rounds of breath.
Cobra
Rolling down onto the belly from tabletop, bring the hands underneath the shoulders. Press into the pelvis and lift the chest off the ground using the strength of the back. Lift up on your inhales and rest on exhales.
Child’s Pose
Pressing up from Coba, bring your hips to your heels. Hips can be as wide or as narrow as it feels good. Reach your arms long and focus on melting your chest towards the ground.
Downward Facing Dog
Rolling forward again, start by bringing shoulders over wrists. Pick up the knees and pull the hips back to come into downward facing dog. Keep the spin long and neck relaxed.
Forward Fold
Walk the feet forward to meet the hands from downward facing dog. Bending the knees as much as it’s needed and lengthening the hamstrings.
Focus on Yourself
Quit comparing because nobody else cares. #youdoyouboo
If this wasn’t obvious by now, it does not matter if you can touch your toes. It doesn’t matter if the thought of a handstand makes you cringe. The absolute best thing you can do is completely focus on your own body.
Find Resources that Resonate with You
Studios
Find your local studio and your local yoga teachers! There are SO many teachers that are delighted to help people start doing yoga. Don’t be shy, focus on yourself and get yourself to a place where you can learn.
Shameless Plug: if you’re near the Bozeman area, I would recommend stopping by Ekam Yoga!
Youtube
Ah, I love the ol’ Youtube for yoga videos. I’m posting free Youtube channels, but know that there are fantastic (but subscription based) online yoga platforms like oneoeight.com and yogaglo.com.
My favorite Youtube teachers are Yoga by Candace and Cat Meffan. There are almost quite literally endless amounts of free online yoga videos, so if you don’t dig either of those options, just put ‘beginner yoga’ in the search bar!
Blogs
Similar to Youtube, there are nearly endless yoga bloggers out there (*waves*), so you are bound to find something that resonates with you. Below are some of my favorites.
