In this video I'll share tips on how you can START YOUR YOGA JOURNEY!

0:58 What is Yoga
1:53 Find your style
2:42 Find your teacher
3:37 Yoga equipment
5:15 What to wear to a Yoga class
5:57 How often to practice
6:41 Non-attachment


WHAT IS YOGA?
Yoga is a holistic mind-body practice where breathing, physical practice, and meditation are used as tools to quiet the mind and find inner peace. You don’t need to be flexible, or strong to do yoga. The physical practice is only one of the eight limbs (steps) in yoga but probably its best known form in the Western part of the world today.

I think for many the physical practice of yoga is the easiest way to get started. There are a few things to keep in mind when you are about to start practicing yoga:

FIND YOUR YOGA STYLE
The overwhelming amount of class options can be a bit confusing: there are so many different styles of yoga: dancy Vinyasa Flow, vigorous Power Yoga, Hot Yoga, Aerial Yoga with hammocs, restorative Yin Yoga, and the list goes on and on. Do a little bit of research and try - That’s the only way to find out. Start with beginners’ or basic level classes or take a beginner’s course!

FIND YOUR YOGA TEACHER
The role of a teacher is a huge one. I would highly recommend practicing with a teacher to learn the right alignment and breathing techniques - whether that’s in person or online. You can also practice at home with yoga videos but it requires discipline and determination. However, it can be a comfortable way to get started

PROPS AND YOGA EQUIPMENT
Technically you don’t need equipment to practice yoga, but a quality yoga mat and the right yoga clothing will make your practice so much more enjoyable. When it comes to the yoga mat, either you want to practice at a yoga studio where they have good yoga mats or you want to buy your own. Other helpful yoga props include yoga straps and yoga blocks.

WHAT TO WEAR TO A YOGA CLASS
No shoes. And no socks because they can make you slip as you move through your yoga practice. You don’t need fancy yoga clothes to do yoga but wear something comfortable that allows you to move. Personally I like to wear leggings or shorts and sports bra and fitted top. If the class is in normal room temperature meaning it’s not a hot yoga class, I often take a sweater with me and I will wear it until the class start and put it on before the final relaxation, also known as savasana

THE YOGA ROUTINE
How often you should practice physical form of yoga depends on your needs. If you want to experience physical progress meaning that you want to improve your strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination, I would say that ideally two to three times a week. Once a week you maintain your level but it’s hard to experience much progress. Yet, it all depends on what you are looking for: is yoga your only form of physical activity or do you use it to complement other sports and activities

NON-ATTACHMENT
All yoga is about non-attachment. The physical yoga poses are to challenge the mind and the Ego. ‘Mastering’ a yoga pose certainly isn’t the end goal.

I hope you found this video valuable. Please subscribe!

Lots of love!

INSTAGRAM: @elina_vuorela

#yoga #yogapractice #yogaforbeginners #yogateacher