24 Yoga Tips for Beginners – How To Get Started

Starting anything new can be intimidating and yoga is no different. Most likely, if you are here the first thing that comes to mind is flexibility and mobility maybe reducing stress. Yoga is a lot more than a fitness program, but most people who start don’t learn about the other side. The below yoga tips for beginners can help you feel more at ease with your decision, reduce anxiety about starting something new and guarantee that you will know what to do if you decide to start your yoga journey.

You may already know some of the benefits and what it can do for you, but like anything, you wonder if you have everything to start with or if it’s even worth your time.

If you are here, this tells me you would have heard of “Yoga”. You might have even tried a class, found a video on YouTube or searched for the word Yoga on Google. Set up your mat (or whatever you have to exercise on) and put on a super cute outfit or your pjs. Now What. 

If you tried a video, maybe the person said a bunch of words that made no sense, asked you to put your leg somewhere it’s not supposed to go, and you thought to yourself: “This is not for me.”

I am here to tell you to not give up and try again!

You don’t need any prior fitness experience or even flexibility to start. You will improve those over time. Like anything in life, and this is not any different, you will have to learn. Accept the fact that you are a beginner. Even if you have done other physical activities before, Yoga is new. Just enjoy the ride. 

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24 Yoga tips for beginners

I broke the list down into a few categories to make it simpler! What to know before you begin, what kind of accessories or clothes you might need, and the mindset you should have. With these tips, you will be on your way to becoming a pro!

Tip 1: YouTube Video vs Yoga Teacher

You know, and I know that there are a lot of free options. A lot of people do think, “Why pay a teacher if I can find it online?“

That is a personal decision, but what I can tell you is that recorded videos are great, always there for when you need it, perfect for your budget. 

Here are a few benefits of joining a yoga teacher instead of a YouTube video: 

• You will be part of a community, especially in a group class setting.
• Paying for anything keeps you accountable and motivated
• The teacher can tell you when and how to modify a pose or when to push you

Tip 2: Different Styles of Yoga Classes

My first class was Bikram Yoga in a 95-degree room for 90 mins. I thought I would die. I followed the teacher, but I almost passed out. 

There are a lot of different styles and levels.

If you are looking for a video online or want to book a class, make sure it is made for beginner yoga and is a slower pace to start. 

When you are reading the description, look for the word Hatha, beginner or all levels. A slower pace will include alignments and modifications.

To learn more about the different classes and styles of yoga continue reading my next article about the different types of yoga classes and which one is made for you..

Tip 3: Find a Yoga teacher for beginner

You can find a teacher pretty much anywhere. Google offers a simple solution. Make sure the teacher is specialized in what you are looking for and you like them! Finding a yoga teacher who specializes in beginners can help!

The price and services they offer will make the biggest difference. It depends on what you are looking for!

Tip 4: Private vs Group Classes

Group classes are great for building community, feeling the energy from others, and sharing your experience. It feels pretty powerful when 20 to 30 people do all the same poses at the same time. There is just something about it. 

Private classes are great for when you want focused attention and progress faster. The teacher will know when to push you and when you should rest.

Tip 5: Specialized Yoga Classes

You might have seen online some specialized classes. For example, yoga for runners, for back pain, pelvic pain, for seniors, prenatal, postnatal and more. 

If you do have some injuries or something you want to learn, specialized classes are great to start, they will focus on what you need right away.

For a more general approach, beginner classes are perfect to start.

Tip 6: Learn In A Yoga Workshop

Workshops usually last longer, they are great if you want in-depth training. You will have time to ask questions and receive specific advice from the teacher. 

A yoga class will be provided and deeper knowledge will be shared, you can look for a beginner workshop if you want to know all the basics right up front.

The workshop will vary in time from 60 minutes to 2 hours on average.

Tip 7: Chair Yoga Classes and Its Benefits

You might be injured, older or not, in the best physical shape, if this is you, I am happy you are reading this.

If sitting on the floor sounds hard, look for a class using the words Chair Yoga. These classes are specialized and amazing. They will show you how to create mobility in your life using a chair.

In time, you will develop the right muscles and fitness to integrate both chair and maybe floor or standing postures.

Tip 8: Yin Yoga and Its Benefits

I am sad that not a lot of people know what this is. Yin Yoga doesn’t work your muscles like other styles of yoga do. They work the deeper parts of your body, like tendons, ligaments and joints. Each pose is held between 1-3 mins, for a beginner class, up to 10 mins and is perfect to reduce stress and create a meditative environment. 

Yin yoga is used for anxiety and to improve flexibility without being hard or putting too much pressure on your body. Sometimes you just need to relax. Not every practice needs to smash your body until you can’t stand up the next day.

Tip 9: What to wear

You can buy pants and a sports bra made for yoga, but any fitness/activewear is fine. Yoga pants tend to be lighter and thinner. Look in your closet for something comfortable!

The only thing is for a shirt, even during a beginner yoga class, your head comes down. You don’t want to have a loose shirt that keeps falling over your head. 

No shoes! YAY! Let your feet run wild!

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Tip 10: Yoga Mat comes in a lot of sizes

The prices vary a lot from a couple of dollars to hundreds of dollars from specialized companies. They come in all sorts of materials and quality, there is a pretty good market for them. 

Make it simple, if you have bad knees, look for something thicker, around 5 to 7 mm minimum.

Most will be around 3mm and it’s just fine, the cheaper one might move more, which you would have to be careful about. Make it easy on yourself, use what you have, when you build a practice for a few weeks and you want to continue with it, get something more specific to your need.

If you do find your knees and wrists are hurting with the mat you have, simply put a folded blanket underneath.

Before booking a class in a studio, some let you rent the mat as well, ask them if you are just trying out.

Tip 11: The world of Yoga props and which one you need

You might have heard of some blocks, straps, blankets, bolsters, wheels etc. To be frank, all can be replaced with household items. Even the dollar store has some. 

If you have books, a belt or scarf, blankets or pillows, it all works! Invest when you are ready.

If you are ready,

Tip 12: Be on time

Even if you choose to do a class online, the teacher will set the tone for the class early on. There is nothing more annoying than starting a meditation and someone sneaks in and puts down their mat and moves around and …it’s annoying. Be respectful.

Tip 13: Stay in the back 

If you are deciding to do a group class, first, set the mat in the back. It’s just common practice. The most advanced students are usually at the front to provide examples for others if needed. 

Tip 14: Child pose is your best friend

One of the only poses you should know before starting any classes is child pose. 

This is a safe pose for everyone, to be used when you feel tired, overwhelmed or you need a minute. 

The teacher knows when someone goes into a child pose that just means they need a break, just come back when you are ready!

Tip 15: Meditation should be part of it

Every good yoga class should always start with meditation, even just closing your eyes and breathing for a few minutes. 

Why you may ask? Usually, life is pretty chaotic. You rush everywhere and don’t think twice about anything. This will create the perfect space to discover and apply the best yoga tips for beginners.

Meditation just lets your brain know it’s time to relax and focus. Calm the F down!

Tip 16: Every good class should end with Shavasana

You might have heard, Shavasana, Corpse, lay down on the floor, etc. All yoga classes should end with you on the mat, lying down and just relaxing for a few minutes. 

A good yoga class should warm you up, bring you to a more challenging pose and cool you down. It’s a lot on the mind and body, it is just nice to take a minute to yourself at the end!

Stop thinking of your grocery list!

Tip 17: Don’t forget to breath

Yes, breathing is an essential part of yoga, but to start you will have to learn some poses and focus on your body. The more you practice you can add details. 

Learn the basics first.  

Tip 18: How to use your props made simple

I did mention props before, so you might have got a block/books or two to start. 

My advice, sit on your block for all seated poses until you get used to the movement. If you can’t reach the floor when you fold down, bring the floor to you by putting your hands on blocks. 

If your knee hurts, put a blanket under your knees for all poses on the knees. 

Tip 19: Raise your hand or ask questions

Fun thing, if you are in a group setting and have a question, just raise your hand. It’s middle school all over again.

It’s okay not to know everything. Don’t be shy. The teacher will love to help you. If they don’t change the teacher!

Tip 20: Listen to your body

It is easy to compare yourself to others, especially in a group setting or if the teacher seems to do everything so easily. It is important to connect with your body and only push to the limit where you feel a stretch but no pain.

Don’t forget that everyone has their own experience. What might be easy for you will be hard for others. Yoga is very humbling!

You should never feel any pain.

Tip 21: Be consistent

Like anything else, the more you do it, the better you get. Even a consistent practice of one class a week will deepen your practice. Personally, 10 or 15 mins every day is better than 60-90 mins once in a while. 

You can find a large resource of yoga videos online that are quick, under 10-15 mins to be integrated into a morning or evening practice.

Tip 22: Trust the process, one day at a time

Yoga can get pretty frustrating, you see other people getting more flexible or doing poses you can only dream of. Trust me, you will get better and stronger with every classes.

It is hard sometimes to see the end game as something that has no end, but the more you do it the better it gets.

Tip 23: Leave the ego at home

Listen to the instructions and poses, don’t assume what the teacher will say even if you know. 

Use a prop, even if you are the only one. There is nothing sillier than someone struggling or being in the wrong alignment just to prove a point. Put yourself in the right mindset. Be patient with yourself and others!

The only thing you are proving is that you are not doing it right. 

Tip 24: It’s not easy, take it easy

Maybe, someone told you “Yoga is easy”. “Is it not just stretching?”, some forms of yoga are easier, yes.

Even if the class you chose is slower, every movement builds your muscles and strength, it doesn’t have to destroy your body while doing it.

I know this was a long list of information.

Here is the main thing to remember

Look for the type of classes, don’t spend a lot of money at first. What you have is fine. Leave the ego at home and listen to your body!

I hope you are ready to start your yoga practice and enjoy the process. Don’t make it more complicated than it is!

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