Not all yoga is the same. There are many different styles of yoga, from fast, strong classes that focus on the physical practice, to more gentle, nourishing classes that focus on mental health and wellbeing. So, if you are considering starting yoga, it’s worth doing a bit of research to find a yoga studio or teacher that suits your needs.
Teacher instructing a beginners yoga class ‘Triangle Pose’
What is Yoga?
Yoga has become synonymous with the physical ‘asanas’ (postures) that people in the west are most familiar with. But yoga is in fact a philosophy or spirituality thatdates back approximately 3000 years. The word ‘yoga’, from the ancient Sanskrit ‘yuj’, means ‘to join’ or ‘unite’, and the state of ‘yoga’ is a sense of one-ness with theworld around us.
According to the ancient texts, there are many different paths to achieving this stateof yoga, or one-ness, but none of them involve making shapes or working up a sweat on a rubber mat. The physical ‘asana’ practice of yoga only evolved early in the 20th Century, to help strengthen and stretch the body in preparation for sitting in meditation.
When we can sit comfortably in stillness for long periods of time in meditation, we are more likely to be able to achieve the state of yoga; a realisation that all life is a divine manifestation of a supreme consciousness; that we are all part of one, innately connected, whole. This is yoga.
Beginners Yoga Class - Cow Pose
Where Do I Start?
Having established that the true meaning of yoga is far more than the physical postures practiced on a mat, a yoga asana class is a good place to start. For many students the physical practice of yoga in pursuit of a healthier, more flexible body is enough. While for others the practice of yoga begins to extend way beyond the physical postures, into a more mindful and meaningful way of living.
Either way, a beginners’ yoga course is a good place to start. Most good yoga studios will offer foundational classes or courses to teach you the basic principles and poses, as well as modifications for all levels of ability. Yoga asana should be safe and accessible to all, regardless of age or physical fitness.
If you have youth on your side, and/or you are blessed with good health and physical fitness, ashtanga and vinyasa yoga styles are generally stronger and more dynamic. If you are seeking a gentle introduction to yoga, slow flow or hatha yoga classes are generally more appropriate for beginners.
All good yoga beginners’ yoga courses or classes should incorporate elements of breathwork, meditation and relaxation. Otherwise, it is just an exercise class.
Is Yin or Restorative Yoga Suitable for Beginners?
Yin and restorative yoga are very different to traditional yoga asana classes. Both are suitable for beginners, and both are very meditative styles of practice, involving lots of stillness, supported by props. You won’t build strength or stamina in a yin yogaor restorative yoga class, but arguably both styles are a fast track to the true state of yoga.
Students that are seeking a deep stretch will be attracted to yin yoga, while relaxation is the primary focus of restorative yoga. Both styles can help restore balance to a dysregulated nervous system, which in turn helps to reduce stress and anxiety, and can significantly improve mental health and wellbeing.
Where Can I Find a Yoga Studio Suitable for Beginners in Brisbane?
Sadly, the number of yoga studios in Brisbane has been on the decline since Covid, but there are still a handful of established studios and experienced teachers out there. If you are seeking an authentic yoga practice based on ancient philosophy, and not just an exercise class, be sure to seek out a yoga studio that promotes their ‘teachers’ rather than ‘instructors’.
Traditionally yoga is a practice that has been cascaded down from ‘guru’ (or teacher) to student. A true teacher teaches from the heart and from life experience, not just from a training manual, so seek out mature teachers who have been long-term dedicated students of yoga themselves. A great, experienced yoga teacher will elevate the practice from the purely physical to the sublime.
If you are located on Brisbane’s north side, our own boutique yoga studio in Grange – established in 2014 - is a suburban sanctuary, where highly qualified and experienced teachers lead all levels and styles of practice. We offer a quarterly beginners’ yoga immersion, as well as slow flow, yin and restorative classes suitable for beginners, and vinyasa yoga classes for more intermediate students.
