If you have been practicing Yoga for a while, have you ever gone back and thought about the first time you walked into a Yoga class? Was there something you wish you had known about Yoga before you started? What made you do it? Who pushed you to try it out? Did you have any preconceived notions before you tried out your first Yoga session?
For me personally, my mom had a big role to play in getting me interested in Yoga. Growing up, I watched her practice Yoga and on multiple occasions we practiced together. I have had many conversations with people who, before entering a Yoga session have said,”I am going to just chill on my mat because I have heard that Yoga is so easy” (some might say boring) and by the time they are out of the class, drenched in sweat the same person told me how it was the toughest session they had ever attended.
So here are 3 tips so that you are better prepared and you know what to expect before you start your Yoga journey:
- Have an open mind. Personal experience is the best teacher and the best teacher is the one who will guide you well so that you stay interested and stay consistent.
- Yoga is not only about physical exercise. The literal translation of Yoga is Yuj or to unite. It unites the body, breath and mind. A typical yoga practice will ensure you focus on your breath to find focus and centre, you test the limits of your body (it’s not always as chill as it looks) and learn to be comfortable in stillness with an asana practice and you come out of the session after a relaxing Shavasana or meditation with a relaxed and calm mind.
- Don’t compare yourself with anyone else. I cannot stress on the importance of this. One might push themselves beyond their limit because someone else is doing better. Or sometimes one might feel demotivated because someone else is able to get into some complex asana with ease. It is important to remember that we are all made differently, have different body types and have had different experiences that make us what we are today.
The practice of Yoga will teach you to be at peace with yourself and your pace of learning. As long as you keep your practice going, nothing can stop you from achieving everything that you want to achieve.