How to Start Doing Yoga

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Several people have asked over the last few years how I got into yoga and what I do daily. I decided to share my recommendations on how to start doing yoga!

April of 2014 was when I really got interested in yoga. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have gotten started if it weren’t for Instagram. I kept seeing all these yoga related posts and was so intrigued on how I could begin. I don’t know why, but for me it felt confusing on where to start.

In reality, everyone’s journey is going to be different and the first thing you have to do is just get started! It also can be quite intimidating going into yoga as a newbie, but don’t let that discourage you. Once you get a little bit familiar, you will hopefully love it. Many times people are worried they aren’t flexible or strong enough to do it, umm that’s why ya do it! Magically flexible people aren’t the only people going to yoga, most of them didn’t start out very flexible either.

To make it less intimidating every teacher I have taken usually gives beginner options in their classes, so don’t be discouraged to go! Before venturing on ways to get started, you’ll need to make sure you have the basic supplies like a yoga mat, block, and a strap. Here are several ways you can get started:

Find a local yoga studio-

Just google it, haha! Seriously though look online to see if there are any studios in your area. Going to an actual class can really give you the basics of yoga and help you understand correct alignment in poses. It can also force you to do a longer workout than you may do from home(at least for my lazy butt). For me, the in class experience is what really furthered my love for yoga. Savasana is always the best part (where you just lay on the ground, haha). Besides savasana, you may actually bond with other class members and explore more about yoga together! Making new friends is always a plus.
YouTube or Online formats

YouTube has a huge variety of free classes people post. The downside of that, is you may have to watch SEVERAL videos before finding an instructor you like best. If you’d like to know more on who I recommend on YouTube, check out this blog post here. Otherwise, you can just search for yoga workouts on there and find plenty! You can also check out CodyApp, this is an app you can get on your phone or tablet (as well as a website you can watch from a computer, I believe). What’s nice about this is once you buy the classes or bundles you are interested in you have access to them when you aren’t online. There are great instructors and classes on there as well!
Try a Yoga Challenge on Instagram!

Instagram was how I really got started. There are tons of yogis on there, and many are teachers host monthly challenges! Two huge Instagram yogis that I started following, who almost always have a monthly challenge going on are @kinoyoga and @beachyogagirl. All levels are usually welcome and it helps you learn about different poses. Each day they give you a pose or something yoga related to do for the day to post to Instagram. It’s a super fun way to become more familiar with yoga and interact with others in the challenge.
Buy a Yoga DVD

You can find tons and tons of yoga DVDs to get you started! I have 2 DVDs that I have used previously, but I honestly prefer just using YouTube if I’m going to follow along with a video. But if you would like a DVD in times when you may not have internet available, you can find plenty at WalMart or Target. I’d suggest looking on Amazon too, and make sure you read the reviews!

You’ll be doing headstands, handstands and all other kinds of fun stuff before you know it!

Overall, everyone’s experience with yoga will be different. I would suggest trying several different types of classes and teachers before giving up on it. There are several different types of yoga as well as yoga teachers! The more you do different workouts the more you will learn what you prefer. I mostly prefer doing my own thing at home focusing on inversions and stretching, but I really love a good hot yoga class. Hopefully these things will help you get started! If you are into yoga and have any other suggestions on how to get started feel free to share with me below 🙂