Yoga for Beginners: A Complete Guide to Starting Now
## 6 Things You Do (And Don’t) Need Before You Start Yoga
The only thing you actually need before you start yoga is your curiosity to try something new. Additionally, the following tips can help prepare you before stepping onto the mat so you get the most out of your initial experience.### 1. You Don’t Need to Be Flexible
Despite what you’ve seen on Instagram, yoga isn’t about putting your body in seemingly impossible positions. “Flexibility isn’t a requirement,” says Kim Richardson, yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist. “Don’t feel the need to push for poses or to keep up with the group.”
“You also don’t have to do everything in the yoga class!” says Harpinder Mann,yoga and meditation teacher and mindfulness educator. You can always opt to take a break instead of coming into a pose.
And if you’re concerned about what you might be asked to do, don’t be afraid to speak up before class. “I always encourage students to introduce themselves to the teacher and, if needed, let them know about any conditions or injuries you are working with,” says Mann.
### 2.You Don’t Need a Mat
No, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a yoga mat. In fact, it’s wise to spend some time practicing yoga before you invest money in your own yoga props. Although you will need a mat during class, most studios have mats that you can rent or use for free to see what you like before buying anything.You can also test drive a studio’s bolsters, blocks, and blankets.
However,there are inexpensive mats that some beginners find useful,notably if you want to practice at home and/or if communal props just aren’t your thing. In *Yoga Journal’s* review of the best yoga mats for literally everyone, beginners favored the Gaiam Premium 5mm for its thickness, grippiness, and relatively low price point.
### 3. You Do Need to Trust Yourself
You may not know a ton about yoga (yet!), but that doesn’t meen that you aren’t an expert at being *you*. “enter the space knowing that you are the wisest person when it comes to knowing how you feel in your own body,” says Richardson.
Only you know what’s right and wrong for you in any yoga class. “The yoga teacher is there for guidance, but honoring your own inner knowing is what’s really meaningful,” says Richardson. For instance, it’s okay to opt out of practicing every pose or breathwork technique or let the instructor know when you’re uncomfortable.
If you’re attending an in-person class, gauge whether the overall vibe aligns with what you’re looking for. ”Notice the intangibl