Yoga at home. Complete beginner, where to start?

[YogaBare]

I have never done it before, I just do not know how to start at all.

Do I definitely need a mat?

Just to add.. I wasn't a beginner when I started I had been going to the same class in person for a while

What kind of yoga do you want?

You can definitely pick up a lot online. I'd start with 30 days of yoga with Adrienne.

There is no denying in person teaching is better but you can learn loads online.

Def need a mat and I'd suggest blocks too to help with support.

I do a zoom class that the teacher can see us and comment and feed back.

hi!!
you don’t need a mat, going barefoot will help with grip! i absolutely recommend trying out this app- so many great yoga classes on here, can try a month free then book an in person class near you if you fancy it!
https://o-p-e-n.com/referral/s63CAGSwRPUHyTIZJrKMRbp3BP23

You can certainly learn the sun salutation to do when you get up every morning! 🌅

Asana Rebel do an online subscription which is currently on offer for £12.50 for the year.

Are they good?

If you find the right class and start off with say hatha yoga you may find this helps your social anxiety. The best part of yoga for lots of people is the meditation part at the end. Would you feel more at ease going with a friend or someone you know? This helped me a lot. Easier to go with someone rather than rock up by myself.

There is a lot of madness here!

You don’t need a mat. I do it on an old cotton hammock or just on the carpet.

Kassandra does 10 minutes videos and they are great. You DONT need to go to a class. Practising at home is just fine.

There are thousands of videos on YouTube for free. Pick 10 min beginner video and try a few teachers and see who you like. They describe what your body should be doing or will say ‘have a look at me’ when something is harder to describe. A good teacher will be talking about where all the bits of your body should be / how it will feel not just say ‘do this pose and then do this pose’.

Yoga is very accessible and simple to start at home with no equipment. Just keep trying different teachers if you don’t like the first ones you try.

Please don’t be put off by people demanding you go to classes or buy a special mat. I have no neither and have been doing yoga for over a decade.

I don't have any friends. I'm basically agoraphobic. I only leave the house with my husband, I don't want yo go to classes

You can get by without a mat but they help.

I would look at Adrienne kassandra and Charlie follows beginner yoga classes on YouTube and do a few of them. You might want to watch a couple first rather than doing it to give you an understanding of the positioning and alignment. Charlie does a couple of Sun salutations for beginners I would start with those. Watch the 7 minute one first so you have an idea and then have a go.

I hope you enjoy it It’s been amazing for me

Thankyou.

I actually got a mat from B&m for £5 today so am going to try

Yeah I agree with the post above, lots of daft talk here. Don't overthink it, start on YouTube with someone like Adriene, she's dead easy to understand as though she can get a bit waffley, for a beginner who may need a bit of time between poses she's spot on. I also liked kassandra but I think adriene is probably better for a total beginner.

I'm relatively fit and strong but was not flexible at all. I've been doing yoga 4/5 times a week for about 2 months now and I cannot believe the difference.

I have this free app. Very simple to use and follow. Easy to follow set routines ir build your own.
Clicking on the graphics also gives a video clip of each move.

https://apps.apple.com/app/id1382141225

You can absolutely do at home I’ve done so for years and no classes as they are a distraction for me. I like to be alone. I like a mat too.

Go slow maybe just watch videos on simple poses/flows etc and how to do them properly first. Don’t worry if whoever you find to watch etc is too fast when you start to do it yourself. Stop the video and find your form. You can do a few minutes of a beginners video at a time to start and no pressure.

The longer and more regularly you do it for, the more aware of your body you become and how you move/posture etc becomes second nature. You don’t have to be very flexible you can adapt poses often with blocks or adjustments. But even simple regular practice is soo good and you will improve

Of course you can do it at home. I’d watch a few videos from different people and see what appeals- old school but I love a bit of David Swenson. My mum likes Barbara Currie who is completely different (more like an 80s aerobics video in styling), Adriene is lovely and very inclusive…it’s all good. There are also lots of different styles of yoga to try so if you don’t click immediately don’t worry.

@ObliviousCoalmine come from slightly different angles but recommended the same person. I just like the way he talks and makes a thoughtful space for everyone.

If you are careful and listen to your body then you can do yoga at home. It can be essentially shapes. You don't need to do actual poses (I'm a yoga teacher). You can start with just seeing how you feel in a yoga like shape. You don't need to do sequences or flows. I started with a 10 minute yoga book about 25 years ago. One pose and one meditation. I still love that book.

Scottie's reel from today is insightful

www.instagram.com/reel/C4kaR5AN_5b/?igsh=M3MyYnh5cXBuNG1t

It's worth joining Instagram if you're not already there, as many yoga teachers post explanatory videos explaining/breaking down the positions in greater depth.

I especially like Kimberley Smarr kimberleasmarr.love/ or www.instagram.com/kimsmarryoga?igsh=MWt0d2swcDMycGM2cw==
as she really explains things super clearly and also how to improve.

I'd still say a teacher is best (and the best ones will help your mental health as much as your physical health) but if you can bear it, set up your phone to record your session so you can check your alignment- not every time but once you are familiar with a routine if you are practising at home alone

HI OP just to suggest pilates to you too. The app Fluidform at home has pilates, yoga, barre and skipping. It is Australian, and the backdrops are beautiful. The instructor explains things really well. I think there are a few free videos on Youtube but you can do a free 2 week trial.

I totally forgot to say that the Runna app has free pilates and yoga classes on Youtube. They will be designed for runners, but I am sure they would be ok for you to do, and likely to be beginner friendly.

I've recently noticed there is an app for chair yoga where you sit to do it. It's supposedly good for beginners.

I don't think saying in person classes are better is madness it's true. Of course you can do it without but it is helpful to have someone critique and adjust you.

As for a mat yes you can go without but they are great to help feet and hands grip and providing more cushioning for knees etc.

If someone wanted to learn any skill I think most people would say tuition will get you there more quickly.

I say all this as someone who took up yoga during the pandemic online. I definitely benefitted from actual instruction.