3 Common Mistakes Made by Newcomers to Yoga
Whenever you start something new it is normal to have feelings of uncertainty of the unknown but in most cases it is completely unfounded and you get over it very quickly and easily. Yoga has so many health benefits, on both a physical and spiritual level, that it would be a tragedy for you to quit because of a silly avoidable mistake on your first few attempts. This article looks at the 3 most common mistakes of people new to Yoga, and how to make sure they don't happen to you.
1) Not knowing what you want to achieve from Yoga.
The reality is that there are a lot of different styles and forms of Yoga and each has different attractions. You need to ask yourself what it was about Yoga in general that attracted you and then you can investigate a style that caters specifically to that. You should set goals, whether they are physical, mental or spiritual. If you have set goals, it is 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 you include a timeframe so it is a measurable goal.
2) Jumping in Feet First.
Having decided to give this Yoga thing a try many people take a running leap and jump in to a 12 month stage by stage class. These classes are usually an upfront payment arrangement and progress from one level to the next as the weeks progress. They are a fantastic way of learning Yoga and becoming very good at it, but it's quite possibly you will choose a class that is not ideal for you.
The best way to start is to join a Yoga beginner's class, also known as 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 different types of Yoga. The level of the students in the class usually varies greatly so you can 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 for the newer people joining in.
3) Choosing the wrong instructor.
Traditionally a Yogi had to be an apprentice to a skilled Guru for many years before he could teach even the simplest of Yoga technique. 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. It is imperitive that you feel comfortable and actually enjoy your instructor in order to achieve true success in Yoga.
As a beginner if you keep these three things in mind, you will find you will have greater success and truly feel the benefits of Yoga in your excersise regime.
Posted by C M. Posted In : Health
