One of the most advantageous benefit of yoga is that one is able to experience the feel-good effect instantly during the practice. Aside from physical benefits such as increasing your flexibility and strength, yoga also helps you to work on your mind. The holistic mind/body nurturing of yoga can enable you to feel better and boost your energy levels. The best part of it all is that you will only need a yoga mat to get you started on the practice.
It is extremely normal for anyone to have worries and concerns before they attend their first yoga session. However, one should not be confused by the myths, so here is something to clear that up for you. Firstly, yoga is suitable for everyone, regardless of one’s age, gender, occupation, health condition and/or fitness level. A good yoga class should always feel welcoming, warm and not judgmental. A lot of people have the misconception that yoga is only for the super flexible, which is very wrong. It is not a pre-requisite for you to be able to touch your toes or bend in certain angles.
The thing about yoga is that it lets you work to your own ability. Yes, there will be challenges along the way, but the whole idea is to encourage you to perform the best you can. This will eventually help in developing your progress and self-improvement. There is definitely no sport out there similar to yoga. In yoga, one gets to balance the mind and body through centering, pranayama (breathwork), asanas flexing and strengthening the whole body (poses) as well as deep relaxation. By hearing this, it should give you more confidence to give yoga a try. Without trying, you will never know if yoga is your cup of tea anyway.
In fact, the practice of yoga can grow on individuals. Perhaps one might not feel exceptional after a class, but we would strongly discourage against giving up on the practice. There can be numerous reasons as to why you do not find it to be your cup of tea. Some of the reasons include the environment, the instructor and even the style of yoga. Hence, one should never give up the practice just after a single session. Instead, one should consider attending different styles of yoga and/or different instructors. It’s all about matching yourself with an instructor you feel comfortable with. This can make a significant difference.
At OMG Yoga, we offer only certified instructors by schools recognised by the Yoga Alliance. If after your first yoga class, you feel that the instructor may not be the best match for you, we can assist you to arrange for another instead.