6 Tips Before Starting Yoga for the First Time

When I first connected with Yancy, I knew that I intrinsically liked him. He has a positive flow to him that sets you at ease and invites you to join him in conversation. Nothing feels forced. So when I was asked if I'd be interested in participating in a unique 'Heart Centering' Retreat experience, of course I answered, 'YES!'



 

Yoga is one piece of this one-of-a-kind Minorca, Spain, experience. And with my little to no yoga experience, I was grateful that Yancy shared 6 of his top tips for getting started on my yogic journey (see below).

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYYOumugDaW/

Along with yoga, Yancy has amassed a powerfully inspiring team of teachers and professionals to lead workshop after workshop.  Here's just a few of the things I have to look forward to:

• Optimal Well-being Assessment


• Nutrition consultations


• Beautification exercises


• Mindful movement (daily fitness and yoga classes)


• Nature hikes


• Island sunset safari tour


• Guided meditations


• Healthy food demonstrations


• Clay mud bath (optional)


• Floating meditations


• Shamanic energy clearing (optional)


• Fun group interaction with locals, live music and dancing

Want to join me there? Here's the details.

[tweet_box design="box_7"]A “vacation with intention” could transform your life—it’s been known to happen. Especially in a place as beautiful as Minorca, Spain.[/tweet_box]

6 Tips Before You Embark on your Yogic Journey of Awesomeness

Yancy Wright, the CEO of Alternavida has never forgotten the first time he took a yoga class, in 2002 he was in Paris and decided to partake.

It focused mostly on subtle movements, breath-work and a meditative practice. I loved it, the music, the great energy from the instructor, and especially how I felt afterwards. What I didn’t realize was that this particular class was quite unique from most yoga classes so I found myself being disappointed when trying other classes that were nothing like my first experience. Since then I have had many experiences and now regularly collaborate with yoga instructors when facilitating corporate and individual retreats. - Yancy Wright

Here is Yancy's Tips for those wanting to try yoga for the first time.

Tip 1) Be Clear About Your 'WHY'

Be clear about “why" you want to try yoga then research teachers that could be the best match. Yoga is often a very personal practice and shouldn’t be something that feels forced.

Tip 2) Try Different Styles of Yoga

Try different styles and instructors of yoga until you find one that suits you. Tell them you are a beginner upfront and don’t hesitate to walk out of a class if you feel the instructor is not supporting your introductory learning and/or physically pushing you into compromising positions.

Tip 3) Listen to Your Body

Listen to your body. If something the instructor is asking you to do doesn’t feel right, don’t push yourself out of peer pressure, wait until further instruction, it’s not worth an injury. I ended up with an injury in 2003 when an instructor pushed too hard on my back trying to deepen my stretch and have since realized this is common with beginners wanting to do whatever someone tells them.

Tip 4) Breathe Deeply

Breathe deeply into your stomach and chest, filling your lungs completely. I know its easy to be self conscious about pushing your belly out when filling it with air, but it's so critical for your body to get the right amount of oxygen when in the middle of a stretch. Holding your breath when holding a pose defeats the whole purpose of the movement practice.

Tip 5) Have FUN!

Have fun with your practice. I sometimes see instructors taking themselves and their classes too serious, to the point that it's not fun. Laughing yoga is one of my favorite things to see instructors integrate into a class. Our work days are already filled with being up in our heads with serious thoughts and yoga can often perpetuate that am I doing this right, perfectionist in us. In my opinion, yoga should invite us to play and get out of our heads and into our bodies.

Tip 6) There Are NO RULES

There are no rules. Remember, this is your life, your body, your practice and with patience you can find the instructor/class that will feel right for you. And developing your own personal practice can become really supportive when you aren’t able to make it to a class or when you only have 10-15 minutes because a little movement is better than none.