Whenever we start something new we often have a certain feeling of trepidation and uncertainty of the unknown and in most cases it is completely unfounded. Often, we just get on with things very quickly and easily. Sometimes it isn’t that easy though, and a simple little thing can cause us to have an entirely negative first experience and perhaps even never want to try that activity or passtime again. Yoga has so many health benefits on a physical, emotional and spiritual level, that it would be a tragedy for anyone to miss out on this practice because they made a simple and avoidable mistake on their first day. With that in mind this article addresses the 3 common mistakes of new Yogini, and how to make sure they don’t happen to you.
Mistake One: Not knowing what you want from your Yoga practice.
The reality is that there are numerous different styles and forms of Yoga and each has its different attraction. Ask yourself what is it about Yoga in general that attracted you. That way you can investigate a style that caters more specifically to what you want. You may like to set goals, be they physical, mental or spiritual. If you do then it’s a good idea to discuss them with the instructor of your class before you begin. Yoga instructors are usually very approachable and happy to talk about their passion. They will be able to talk to you about your goals for the class and let you know if you are being realistic, aiming too high or too low. Make sure your goal includes a timeframe so it becomes something that is measurable.
Mistake Two: Jumping in Feet First.
Having decided that they will give this Yoga thing a try many people take a running leap and jump into a 12 month stage by stage class. These classes are usually an upfront payment arrangement which progress from one level to the next as the weeks go by. They are a fantastic way of learning Yoga and becoming very good at it, but lacking experience, it is quite possible that you will choose a class that is not ideal for you.
The best way around this is to join a beginners class, one you can drop in to take it, a drop in class. If you do these classes for a few weeks you will notice a high turnover of students as new people join and old people move on. These classes are designed to give you a very broad feel for the class you are trying out. The level of the students in the class usually varies greatly so you can usually expect the instructor to keep the classes quite tame. The other key benefit of doing this is that the classes are pay as you go so there is no big financial outlay for you while you decide the type and style of yoga that best suits you. You are also not obliged to attend every class. With the longer courses you can fall behind quickly if you miss a week or two in a row. With the pay as you go classes you will find that while each class is different the level stays quite low to cater to the newer people joining in.
Mistake Three: Choosing the wrong teacher.
Traditionally a Yogini had to be an apprentice to a skilled Guru for many years before she could teach even the simplest of Yoga techniques. Nowadays a 3-day course over a long weekend is considered enough by some people. There is a big difference in what you will achieve depending on the skills and abilities of the person teaching you. Yoga is starting to make a regular appearance on the sports injury list and a large reason for this is instructors who have been taught just enough to be dangerous. A qualified teacher won’t necessarily be fantastic and an unqualified teacher won’t necessarily be terrible – but the odds are certainly cast in that direction, so it’s a good idea to check your instructors background and qualifications before you begin studying with them.
Those are three of the most common mistakes beginners take when starting a yoga practice as well as ways to avoid these issues. Remember too, take care of yourself in the class, and pay attention to your limits.
A final possibility is to find a good yoga video designed for beginners. Try to find one that has beginners being taught, otherwise you may find yourself trying to keep up with an instructor who is accomplished at the practice. Watch out for a great beginners series available on this site soon.
