Starting a Yoga Hobby
Is Yoga a Hobby or a Sport?
Yoga has become more popular over the past few years as more people are realizing the benefits it has to offer. Yoga can be seen as both a hobby and a sport due to its versatility and how it can be practiced in many different ways. Not only does a regular yoga hobby help with stretching, but it also helps with breathing and mindfulness, all of which play an important role in overall health.
When to Start a Yoga Hobby?
- Can you Start Yoga at Any Age?
Yes! No matter your age or physical condition, there’s a type of yoga that can be done. If you’re worried about the poses being too difficult for you, or if you can’t handle the strenuous activity, there are other ways to get in on the yoga action. For example, chair yoga is an excellent choice if you’re recovering from an injury and need to modify your practice. You can also try gentle yoga, like a Hatha yoga style, if you want to start building yoga endurance. - When Can You start Yoga After Giving Birth? Postpartum yoga is a combination of physical and mental activity that can help you get back into shape after having a baby. Not only can a postpartum yoga hobby help with your physical health, it also helps with your mental health. Yoga has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression while improving mood and self-esteem. All of this combined makes postpartum yoga a great activity for new mothers! You can start yoga within the first few weeks after childbirth, but it depends a lot on your birth experience. It’s best to talk with your doctor or midwife before beginning any postpartum exercise routine.
The Best Yoga Resources
Essentials for Your Yoga Starter Kit
With so many types of yoga, and so many tools and props to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. To help you out, we’ve put together “best of” recommendations of everything you need for a successful yoga hobby. If you’re still overwhelmed, scroll down to find the best all-in-one yoga kits to get started in a flash.
Yoga Mats
Yoga mats are an essential part of practicing yoga and the one thing you really need to start a yoga hobby. They provide a stable surface for the practitioner to perform asanas. Yoga mats are made from different materials, which have different properties. While the most common material is rubber, there are also many other materials that are both functional and eco-friendly.
What size yoga mat do I need?
The length of a yoga mat is an important factor to consider when buying one. It needs to be long enough to provide a comfortable space for your hands, feet and spine. A standard yoga mat measures 68 inches long and 24 inches wide. This is a great size for most yogis who are 5’8” or under. For taller people, the best bet is to buy a mat that is 72 inches long and 24inches wide. If it’s too narrow, then it can put pressure on your joints and make it more difficult for you to relax in certain poses, so you can also find yoga mats that are 30 inches wide.
The thickness of a yoga mat also varies depending on the type of yoga you are practicing. For example, if you are practicing power yoga or Bikram Yoga, you will need a thicker mat that provides more cushioning for your joints and spine to protect them from injury.
Yoga Straps
What are the benefits of yoga straps?
Yoga straps help improve your posture during poses, even if you’re not yet flexible. They can help you achieve more difficult poses while supporting your body. Because you’re able to have a stable base in your poses while using yoga straps, you’re better able to relax during your yoga practice! If you’re just starting your yoga hobby, yoga straps can be the difference in how many poses you can comfortably practice. Yogis also use a different type of yoga strap for binding and carrying their yoga mats – we’ve included both types below!
Yoga Blankets
What is a yoga blanket?
Yoga blankets serve many purposes in your practice, from helping with posture and comfort during poses to providing warmth during savasana. You want to look for a yoga blanket that’s made of natural fibers, that’s big enough to fold in several different ways to support your practice, and one that’s warm enough to cover your body and keep the chills away while you’re hanging out in corpse pose!
Tips for a Beginning Yogi
New to your yoga hobby? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when there’s so much to learn about yoga. Check out our tips below for your first steps into building a yoga hobby.
- Find an experienced teacher in a well-regarded yoga studio that teaches an introductory series class. Even if you prefer to practice at home longer term, the adjustments and modifications a good teacher provides are invaluable.
- Read a bit and look at videos of common poses ahead of time. You don’t need to become an expert by any means, but you’ll feel more confident if you have some knowledge of the poses before class starts.
- Wear comfortable clothing. This means a lot of things. First, you need clothing you can move in – that means no jeans or structured clothing. Your yoga clothes need to be tight enough to allow the teacher to see your body and alignment, and loose enough not to restrict your movement. And finally, wear something that you are comfortable in – some people wear shorts and sports bras and some prefer full coverage. You don’t want to be thinking about your clothes when you should be thinking about your poses.
- Use a clean, well-cushioned mat. See the recommendations above, but generally you want a mat that will provide some cushion for your body without being too squishy. You may want to scrub it with a scrub brush a few times if it’s new – this can help if your new mat is a bit slippery.
- Accept wherever your body is, make modifications without shame, and ask for help if needed. Everyone has been the beginner. Let the practice and your teacher support you.
- Avoid making comparisons with other yogis. Just show up on the mat and aim to focus on your own practice.
