4 Steps to start your Yoga Practice

​So you want to start practicing yoga but have no idea where to start.
This post will be simple with the goal of helping you to start your yoga practice. 

As you are reading this Blog right now, shows that your intention to begin is already there.
Gratulation for being ready to get a grooving Yogi.

Yoga is here to create a world that is a little bit easier.
To help our bodies feel a little bit lighter.
To make our reactions a little bit softer.
And to change this lifetime into the best it can possibly be.

Now you know the simple facts of practicing yoga, how do you actually start?
Below you find 4 steps to begin your yoga practice.

1. Find a teacher, local yoga studio or online yoga studio
I really recommend to start with a teacher to have someone explain, breakdown and adjust the postures. The motivation of a teacher or a studio helps to get on with your new routine and to gain yoga friends in your new world.

Do a google search or check out your neighborhood for teachers and studios.

Online YOGA Platforms:
Yogamehome - here you find my videos as well, only in german
Yogaglo  -  very international, in english
Gaiam TV 

Yoga came into my life by a mini fitness studio next to my apartment. I used to teach there aerobic classes and stayed for the next lesson that was Yoga. About 15 years later, I'm still a enthusiastic yogi and teacher too.

Don't give up if a studio or teacher is not on the same vibe as you. It took me a while to find the right teacher and I found her online. And years to find the right studio.

It will be worth to go on.

2. Explore the different yoga styles and find yours
The whole yoga scene is splitted up into different yoga styles.
Here a little overview what classes or yoga directions you may find:

• Vinyasa, Flow, Power type classes
• Hatha / Iyengar / Ashtanga/ Kundalini style classes
• Restorative, Yin, and Gentle classes
• Meditations, Chanting, and Yoga Nidra classes
  
  

And this is only a little excerpt of what is on the market.
Don't be overwhelmed. Step by step start exploring what you need and what your body is asking for and I'm sure you will make the right choice and find your style.

3. Schedule and prepare time with yourself
If you want to be successful with anything in life you have to plan it.
In order to cook a good meal you need to buy the right ingredients,

Here some Ideas to start your yoga prep work.

• choose two times that work best with your personal schedule and try to commit to them.
  
  For me I can practice before my kids and husband get up (only happens in the holidays), or after my kids left to school (mostly happens), before dinner (never happens) or after dinner before I go to bad (rarely happens)
  Even if it's not happening frequently- no worries but try to set an intention to make it happen :-)
• get your own yoga mat and use it as reminder either to step onto it at home or to walk with it to a studio
• find out what practice you want -  gentle and relaxed, sweaty and powerful or meditative and restoring

The important point is here that you find consistency. So even if you step onto your mat once a week, that's perfect. 
Of course you will feel a bigger change if you more commit to your practice but don't push yourself towards it. 

​The big Yoga Legend Sri Pattabi Jois said: "Built it slow and it will stay. Built it fast and it will go!"
​
4. Get started 
I wanna motivate you after you have read these lines to get into action. Don't think about, just do it.
Create a checklist and work yourself through. I know that's a lot of information so do something good with it.
Enjoy the discovering of your new world. you only get to begin once completely new.
The magic of starting new is the best part of the process - so please soak it up.

​By Julia Mander

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