New to Yoga? Start Here

If you've never done yoga before, joining your first class can feel slightly intimidating.

What if everyone else is incredibly flexible?

What if you don't know the names of the poses?

What if you can't touch your toes?

Here's the good news: you don't need to arrive knowing anything.

Yoga isn't a test.

You don't get extra points for touching your toes, holding the hardest version of a pose or knowing what Sanskrit words mean.

A good beginner-friendly class should give you space to learn.

You can watch, listen and take things at your own pace.

You can rest.

You can modify a movement.

And if something doesn't feel right, you can simply stop.

One of the nicest things about beginning yoga is realising that there isn't actually a finish line. Your practice can change from day to day.

Some days you might want something energising. Other days you might want to move slowly and spend more time breathing.

There's no perfect way to practise.

If you're starting at home, make things easy for yourself. You don't need a beautiful yoga studio or lots of equipment. A mat or comfortable surface, some space and clothes you can move in are enough to begin.

Most importantly, don't compare your beginning with somebody else's middle.

Everyone was new once.

Come to the mat curious rather than trying to get everything right.

Your first class doesn't need to be impressive.

It just needs to be your first.