Getting Started With Yoga

Becoming a "yogi" has never been easier.

How Yoga Affects Your Mental and Physical Health

If you are new to yoga, the thought of bending your body into the shape of a pretzel may not particularly appeal to you. But like many, you may still be intrigued by the idea of a more blissful workout like the one pictured above.

In 2010, people spent $6 billion on yoga equipment and nearly 3/4 of those who practice yoga regularly are women. That says a lot about how much women are willing to spend on getting a little peace of mind (and body).

So what’s all the fuss?


Why get so worked up about bending your body into seemingly impossibly positions? Yoga devotees will tout it’s benefits, giving it credit for everything from tightening and toning the body to achieving ultimate bliss.

Getting started


So how do you get started when you don’t know the difference between downward dog and a hot dog?

When you are just starting out, knowing what adjustments to make and how to position your body is critical. Your best bet is to find a beginner’s class, or get some one-on-one instruction. Yoga-going folk tend to be pretty supportive of beginners so there’s no need to feel intimidated. Plus, an instructor can help you modify your entire workout so that it airs more on the side of that long, sought after bliss rather than much avoided pain.

3 Things to Know Before You Go

1. What type of yoga will you be doing? There are many different types of yoga. Be sure to ask in advance what type of yoga you would be practicing in class. You don’t want to go in to it picturing a nice cool day at the park and end up in a 100 degree room with sweaty bodies everywhere. Know what you are getting into ahead of time.

2. What tools will you need? Ask what tools you should bring to class. Most will require a mat, and for a beginner, blocks are highly recommended. But your instructor may have some specific requests based on the class and type of yoga.

3. What should you be wearing? There’s a reason you never see people doing yoga in jeans. Wear comfy, soft-fitting clothing that you can easily move around in. You’ll be thankful the moment you get started.

And if worse comes to worse and you find it’s really not for you, at the very least, you have a really cool, new mat to do some stretching at home. So go ahead, give it a try. You might just find your ultimate bliss after all!

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SkinnyMs.

The SkinnyMs. team believes that all people, regardless of age, size, and fitness level, have the power to transform their lives — they just need the resources to do so. The SkinnyMs. method promotes healthy living through a combination of clean eating and regular exercise. We offer everything you need to be successful.

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