If you’re looking to embark on your yoga journey, that is very exciting! There are numerous benefits to practicing yoga, such as improved balance, flexibility, and strength, stress management, and connection to a supportive community. It can be intimidating to start a yoga routine, but don’t worry, everyone has to start somewhere. If you’re not sure where to start, follow these 5 yoga practice tips! 

Get Your Yoga Accessories

The first thing you’ll want to do to prepare is acquire some comfortable yoga clothes. Look for clothes that are breathable and made of moisture-wicking materials. Next, you’ll want to look for a non-slip yoga mat. The last thing you want when moving through your poses is to slip and injure yourself. The mat should have enough grip to hold your hands and feet in place. Some yoga studios provide yoga mats for you to use, but some people prefer to use their own. Just be sure to clean it often enough to maintain its traction and prevent unwanted odors.

Find a Comfortable Place to Practice Yoga

One of the great things about yoga is that it can be practiced virtually anywhere! However, if you’re brand new to yoga, you might need some guidance from an instructor. That means you can either do yoga at home with video instruction or you’ll want to take classes at a yoga studio in your area. Not only will they lead you through a routine, yoga instructors can demonstrate the poses. Some instructors will walk around their yoga practice studio to ensure everyone is using proper form, making adjustments where needed. Improper form is not only ineffective, but could potentially cause injury.

Choose a Type of Yoga to Practice

There are many types of yoga practices to choose from. The style you choose will depend on your personal preferences and fitness goals. Some types of yoga practices are more challenging than others, so you might want to start off with a more gentle form of yoga and graduate to something like power yoga or hot yoga.

Here are some common types of yoga practices:

• Hatha yoga
• Vinyasa yoga
• Ashtanga yoga
• Kundalini yoga
• Gentle yoga
• Restorative yoga
• Hot yoga
• Power yoga

There are many others not listed here, and not all are offered at every single yoga studio. You can learn more about the yoga classes offered at LSF here.

Get Familiar With Poses

Yoga poses have specific names, so you’ll want to be somewhat familiar with the basic ones such as Child’s Pose, Downward-Facing Dog, Warrior I & II, Corpse Pose, Cat-Cow Pose, and Mountain Pose. You don’t have to know how to do each one before you show up for your first time. After all, you’re going to class to learn. Having some familiarity, however, will make it much easier for you to get started right away and learn at a quicker rate.

Begin Where You Are

Yoga is a transformative process, so avoid comparing yourself to others with more experience. You can learn at your own pace and make progress towards your goals at a rate that feels appropriate to you. Remember to listen to your body. The poses can be modified so they’re easier on your body. Be sure to ask your instructor for help if you’re unsure how. Most importantly, have fun and keep practicing so you keep getting better!

Yoga Practice Studio in Chicago

Hopefully you found these yoga practice tips helpful. Lakeshore Sport & Fitness offers many yoga classes as part of its expansive catalog of group fitness classes that are complimentary with every membership. Click the buttons below to learn more about our yoga offerings and more at each of our Chicago locations.

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