“I’d love to try yoga but I won’t feel comfortable in a room full of skinny, flexible people until I lose this weight.”

“Yoga seems super hard and super complicated.”

“I don’t get all those poses and Sanskrit words. I work out to clear my head, not to have to learn a new language.”

Do any of the above apply to you?  Have you been meaning to try a class, but keep putting it off because of some vague feeling it won’t be quite right for you?  Despite its intimidating reputation, yoga is among the safest, easiest and most rewarding practices for people of any fitness or experience level.  The secret is in understanding yoga’s philosophy, and finding the right place to practice.

Here’s our five point list of things to remember so you can let go of your fears and embrace your practice:

• Everyone was a beginner once

That super flexible yogi you just saw walk out of class had to start somewhere. Even the instructor wasn’t born doing all those poses.

• You don’t have to be flexible to start a yoga practice

We often hear people say, “Oh, yoga’s not for me. I’m not flexible.” Although some people may walk into their first yoga class with innate flexibility, most people start their practice tight, and really benefit from the work they do stretching those muscles.  There is a modification and/or prop available for every pose in yoga, so you can build a solid foundation and build toward that flexibility.  Instructors are happy to help!

• Don’t be afraid to fall

Turns out, you’re not the only who worries about losing their balance, or slipping on the floor and falling.  We’ve all done it and it always makes us stronger. If you’re taking risks and pushing yourself, you might fall.  And that means you’re progressing in your practice. Pick yourself back up and don’t judge yourself – because no one else will be.

• Ask your instructors for help

See number 2 above.  Every yoga pose has a modification or prop – so just ask.  Got bad knees?  Tell your instructor at the beginning of class so they can remember to share an adjustment for poses that might be hard on you.  Need a little help getting into a pose?  That is what the instructor is there for.  They will be happy to help. In fact, asking for help is actively encouraged.

• Consider a Slow Flow Class

Although all classes at Release are appropriate for people at any experience level, because our instructors will help everyone adjust the practice to their own needs (see numbers 1-4 above), a Slow Flow class can be a great way to get started because the slower pace and detailed instruction for each pose can give you a solid foundation to start with.