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Yoga

Yoga For Beginners | Everything You Need To Know

Does Yoga help with weight loss and toning as well spiritual peace and transcendence? Yes, embracing all body types and levels, Yoga is for anyone and everyone.

Considering yoga as a new discipline can be intimidating, and can provoke some very real questions; do you need to be fit before you actually start to participate? What type of yoga is best for you and, of course, will it actually increase your fitness?

The answers are pretty much the same as with starting out at anything, go at your own pace, practice makes perfect and steer clear of any complicated yoga workshops until you feel super confident. There are lots of different types of yoga with varying focuses on control, muscular elasticity or meditative ability.

Most current yoga practices have a thorough grounding in their origin. Beginning in ancient India over 5000 years ago, yoga was, and still is, traditionally used as a way to encourage spiritual growth through the transcendence of the ego.

What are the different types of yoga?

What are the different types of yoga? Which one is right for me? Photo: istock

When starting out, it is best to find an easy going class that will help you with the basics. There are plenty of yoga videos online, but if you really are a beginner it is best to have an instructor there to perfect your poses.

The target yoga type depends really on the pace of other things you do. As with most things in life, yoga is about balance. Your class should be chosen to oppose the pace of your routine and therefore be complementary.

If you have a fast paced lifestyle or a high energy exercise regime try Iyengar Yoga, which has a slow pace, and concentrates on holding a pose for longer, controlling your breathing to maximize the poses.

If you are after a more fast paced session then Vinyasa would be a good class to try. It has a quick, flowing style that concentrates on the fluid transition between poses, and is excellent for muscle tone.

The best one to start on really, however, is Hatha yoga, meaning Force. Hatha is really an umbrella term for all types of physical yoga, but a Hatha class will teach you the basics thoroughly before allowing you to move onto a workshop that reflects you.

What are the Benefits of Yoga?

How can yoga benefit my wellbeing? Photo istock

Once you have mastered the basics of yoga you will start to notice the benefits, which are surprisingly varied. Yoga can help lower blood pressure as well as increased strength and flexibility.

As yoga concentrates of mental control and focused breathing to increase intensity and longevity of poses, it has been knows to help with problems such as anxiety and depression.

The combination of concentration on both mind and body make yoga an attractive choice for anyone who is eager for both muscle toning and a more relaxed, centred frame of mind. This sort of mental discipline and consequent emotional benefit can also be found in other practices such as scuba-diving and surfing.

Where can I Practice yoga?

Where can I practice yoga? How can I find the right studio for me?: istock

There are lots of different centers to choose from, the classes are varied and you will be able to find a studio that is reflective of what you are looking for.

To find a well established yoga studio near you, try searching through Yoga Village UK for help with finding a workshop that caters for all of your yoga needs.

If you are based in or around our capital, you will not find it hard to find yoga studios in London. There is a wide array and you will be able to find one that reflects how you are aiming to benefit from yoga. If you are looking for a peaceful break away from your busy schedule then perhaps try East of Eden in Walthamstow, who are dedicated to creating a safe harmonious space to practice in.

However, if you are more interested in the origins of yoga, why not look into the Iyengar Institute. Iyengar is named after famed yogi B.K.S Iyengar who upheld the idea of ‘meditation in action’ throughout his practice. This practice tries to remain as close as it can to the yoga of 5000 years ago. The classes here accommodate all levels and concentrate on a feeling of well being and harmony.

What yoga gear do i need?

What will I need to practice youga? Where can I find my yoga gear? Photo: istock

If you have decided to try yoga, you will need some new yoga gear. The essentials are a yoga mat, a water bottle and some yoga clothes. Yoga has gone beyond having its own style and now has its own market, with brands such as Sweaty Betty or Yoga Rebel stepping up to provide you with stylish Yoga essentials to cater to all of your Yoga needs.

If you choose to try yoga the chances are you’ll be hooked. There are enough classes to reflect everyone’s tastes, and the balance of physical and mental benefits, with fun and variety in the scene, will transform you into a toned, chilled-out enthusiast within months!

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