Beginner Yoga
I was a beginner to yoga just like you not so long ago. Beginning anything new can be challenging. But there’s a reason you want to start, let that be your focus and let go of everything else. Think about your reason why you want to start yoga in the first place. For some people its to lose weight, tone up or build strength. For others they want to de-stress, relax or build flexibility. For me it was for my mental health. We all have different reasons for beginning our Yoga practice, but we keep coming back because the benefits that we experience are amazing.
I remember going to my first ‘real’ yoga class. I booked into a local class having only every practiced online with Sarah Beth Yoga. I was so nervous that I considered cancelling last minute and just practicing at home. Walking in, I was the last person to arrive and I felt like everyone was staring at me. I quickly scanned the room full of Yogis and froze noticing I was the only person without a mat. I didn’t even own my own yoga mat at this point. It had never even crossed my mind to buy one. I had been using my boyfriend’s old gym mat for months and it was fine although now when I think back it wasn’t even flat it had bumps up and down it! No wonder I was so off balance! I put my hand up and said loudly “I’m new!” feeling my face go bright red with embarrassment. Thankfully a kind lady helped me to find a space and showed me where the spare mats were kept.
When I took a deep breath and remembered my reason why, I was finally able to let go of the embarrassment and learn to be comfortable being out of my comfort zone. I was able to enjoy my first ‘real’ class. When we start something new our reason why has to be so strong that when the doubts and uncomfortable thoughts and feelings start to creep in our reason why overpowers them every single time. We can choose not to listen to that little voice in our head that tells us to cancel, to stay at home, to stay in our comfort zones. It's natural for us not to like change or anything that is unfamiliar. But remember if you want something you’ve never had before, you have to do something you’ve never done before!
We’re all beginners at some point so it’s important to remember that where you are now isn’t where you’ll be in 6 months or even in 6 weeks. I’m always in awe at how quickly I see the members of my classes progressing week by week. As with any skill you will get better with practice. There’s always going to be ups and downs, days where you feel strong enough to take on anything and days where you wobble and fall out of poses that a few days ago you manged no problem. It's a practice, we're not striving for perfection or to look a certain way in a pose. My highest intention for my classes is always for you to leave feeling your best and that happens when you let go and allow yourself to be where you are. Your practice will mirror your life, take the good with the bad because it’s all happening for you, to allow you to grow and improve and to feel your best both on your mat and off. I know how daunting it can be attending your first class. Taking that step out of your comfort zone and trying something you’ve never done before. But what if you surprise yourself? What if you can actually do way more than you give yourself credit for? What if you feel great? You’ll never know unless you try! Our Thursday night Livingston Class is focused on beginners. We’ll take it slow, build our strength and our confidence whilst having fun and letting go. The benefits of taking that one hour a week out for yourself will be so worth it and I know you will leave feeling great!
If you have any questions please get in touch I would love to hear from you and I hope to see you on your mat very soon!
Love Renée