Are you thinking of joining a beginner’s yoga course or class but don’t know where to start? Here’s your guide to choosing a beginners’ yoga course or class to suit you.
You may have many pre-conceived ideas about yoga, either from family or friends who have tried it, or based on social media images. But not all yoga is the same!
Traditionally yoga is a meditative practice that evolved into a series of physical postures to help stretch and strengthen the body in preparation for seated meditation.
In the past few decades however, yoga became synonymous with expensive activewear and strong sequences with more of a focus on physical fitness.
And most recently there has been a resurgence in gentle, passive styles of yoga with more emphasis on mindfulness and relaxation in response to the global mental health crisis.
What style of yoga is suitable for beginners?
That depends on what you are seeking to achieve from your yoga practice! There are 3 main reasons why people turn to yoga:
To reduce stress or anxiety
Yoga is proven to be highly effective in improving mental health as it helps to reset and restore balance to our nervous system by calming the stress response and stimulating our relaxation response.
In yoga we focus on connecting to our breath and our body, which helps to distract us from over thinking. With practice we learn not to be controlled by our busy minds.
Gentle yoga practices such as yin yoga, restorative yoga or slow flow classes are all suitable for beginners seeking an antidote to stress or anxiety.
Some yoga studios also offer specialised yoga for mental health classes and workshops taught from a trauma and mental health informed perspective.
For rehabilitation or to improve flexibility
Many people are referred to yoga by doctors or allied health professionals for rehabilitation after injury or may simply be seeking to improve flexibility or mobility.
A beginners’ yoga course is a great way to immerse yourself and learn the foundations of yoga in a safe and supportive environment with other new students.
Traditional hatha yoga, Iyengar yoga, or slow flow classes will also provide a good introduction to a holistic yoga practice for both body and mind.
These styles incorporate a range of poses and practices that will help strengthen and stretch the body, as well as introduce students to the key concepts of yoga.
For those purely seeking to improve flexibility or mobility, yin yoga is also suitable for all levels and focuses on deep stretches targeting the connective tissues.
To lose weight or improve physical fitness
A beginners’ yoga course is always a great starting point to learn the foundations of a safe practice before moving on to stronger, general level classes.
If you are already reasonably fit and healthy, vinyasa flow, ashtanga yoga or hot yoga classes are stronger, more dynamic styles of practice that will improve strength and stamina.
Always seek out small class sizes taught by senior, experienced teachers who offer modifications for all levels of experience and who can observe the whole class for safety.
If you are just starting out on your fitness journey, hatha yoga, Iyengar yoga or slow flow classes are slower but can still be challenging and will help to develop strength and stamina over time.
Where can I find beginner’s yoga in Brisbane?
At SoHo Yoga in Grange, we offer a range of yoga styles and classes suitable for beginners.
We offer a quarterly beginners’ yoga immersion, held over 4 weeks, enabling you to find your personal yoga practice in a safe and supportive environment.
Our mindful slow flow, yin yoga, and restorative yoga classes are also suitable for beginners and especially those seeking to reduce stress and anxiety or improve mental health.
For a stronger practice, our general level rise & shine and vinyasa yoga classes are taught by senior, experienced teachers who will offer modifications for all levels - but expect to be challenged!
Trial our studio and classes with a 3-Class Intro Pass for $35 (valid 2 weeks) or 5-Class Intro Pass for $55 (valid 1 month). Book and buy online at sohoyoga.com.au/grange-timetable.