Yoga for Beginners

Ready to start practicing yoga, but not quite sure of where and how to start? VASA Fitness features yoga classes for all levels. So, if you’re a newbie, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Keep reading so you feel comfortable when you step into your first class.

The Basics: What is Yoga?

Yoga is an ancient practice anchored in breathing, flexibility, and strength to boost mental and physical wellbeing. It’s comprised of a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines. Yoga’s main components? Breathing and postures, or a series of movements designed to increase strength and flexibility. The practice originated thousands of years ago in India and has since been adapted in various countries. Yoga was first introduced in the United States in 1863, but it wasn’t until the 1930s that it became part of American mainstream culture. According to the Shri Yogendra Museum of Classical Yoga, “When people say they are going for a yoga class they generally mean an asana class. However, asana is a small part of yoga, whereas yoga is the comprehensive whole, including the body– breath–mind–intellect–spirit complex.” And in today’s chaotic world, the number of people practicing yoga globally has skyrocketed. So whichever practice you choose, one aspect of yoga is nearly guaranteed: you will leave the mat with more clarity, calm, and sense of peace.

The 411: What are the Health Benefits of Yoga?

What happens when we perfect poses like the downward dog or tree pose? These days, athletes of all kinds are incorporating yoga into their workout routine. According to John Hopkins Medicine, the nine most important health benefits of yoga are:

1. It improves strength, balance, and flexibility.
2. Yoga helps with back pain.
3. It can ease arthritis symptoms.
4. Yoga benefits heart health.
5. Get ready to relax and sleep better.
6. Expect more energy and brighter moods (and who doesn’t want both!)
7. Yoga helps ease stress.
8. It connects you to a supportive community.
9. Yoga elevates your self-care.

From Mat to Mental Health: How Yoga Can Relax Your Mind

One of the most important benefits of yoga? Mental strength. Sure, it’s widely known that yoga can combat anxiety and depression. But what’s more, according to Harvard Health Publishing, “When you lift weights, your muscles get stronger and bigger. When you do yoga, your brain cells develop new connections, and changes occur in brain struc­ture as well as function, resulting in improved cog­nitive skills, such as learning and memory. Yoga strengthens parts of the brain that play a key role in memory, attention, awareness, thought, and language. Think of it as weightlifting for the brain.” Yes, please!

Sign Me Up: Yoga for Beginners.

The beauty of beginner yoga? Anyone can get started! Here’s what to know before that first class.

1. All you need is a yoga mat, water bottle, and loose-fitting yoga clothes. Consider bringing a towel in case you get a little sweaty.
2. Find a class geared towards beginners. VASA’s yoga classes are designed for all fitness and experience levels. Our instructors provide queues, modifications, and adjustments that will help you feel comfortable and confident every time you walk into class.
3. Before class, introduce yourself to the instructor and tell him or her it’s your first time. They’ll make sure you’re set up for success before the class starts and can give you extra attention during class to ensure you know what you’re doing.
4. Practice, practice, practice. The more you go to class, the more comfortable and confident you’ll feel. There’s always something to learn, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to try more challenging poses and variations.

Interested in checking out one of our classes? Get your free trial pass here. Happy yoga-ing!