There is always a first time for everything. You might remember your first ski adventure, your first travel abroad, your first seed grow into a healthy microgreen, your first pet, your first love, or your first heartbreak. These experiences inevitable started with a feeling of uncertainty and trepidation. While most ended successfully, there are some who had a little bump in the road. Just like your first heartbreak or your first dead plant, there will always be mistakes to learn a thing or two. Yoga, for that instance, is not an exemption. You are bound to make some yoga mistakes along your journey.
Yoga offers numerous physical, mental and spiritual benefits. Watching seasoned yogis and yoginis gracefully move through various postures can be truly inspiring. Hearing stories from those with deep knowledge and experience often motivates others to try the practice. However, it’s important to remember that misconceptions or self-doubt, especially as a newcomer, can sometimes dampen your enthusiasm. Don’t let others’ opinions or small mistakes discourage you from exploring this incredible practice. Yoga’s rewards are well worth the journey. Here are some of the common yoga mistakes committed by newcomers.
3 Common Yoga Mistakes
Trying yoga just because of the hype
Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years. Behind the physical exercises, there is also sanctity behind it. And aside from sun salutations, there are different types of yoga. Each of them has its own rules and purpose. It is important to determine what you want to learn. It is also important to know what to expect from it. Setting goals and doing your own research will give you an idea on where to enrol and what to prepare. It is important to know all these so that you won’t get lost as your class or your first yoga experience goes on. Remember, yoga is more than just a hype. It is a divine practice with serious and amazing health benefits and purpose.
Jumping without thinking about it first
This second most common mistake is somehow related to the first but a little higher than the level. You don’t purchase a 12-month class without enough idea about what is going to happen. It’s essential to research the class, the yoga studio, the instructor, and even the potential retreat venues before diving in.
You don’t have to attend all the classes available and offered to you. That is why there is a drop in class or a yoga beginner class. These classes can give you a comprehensive grasp on the class you’re into, the type of yoga you tried out, and the vibes of it all. In this way, it can save you time, energy and financial resources. If you enrol in longer classes, there can be instances as a beginner where you will be left behind. It will be harder for you to keep up. While if you join a ‘pay as you go’ type of class, you can have a better understanding of how the pace and the level are important to a newbie in class.
Choosing the wrong instructor
Learning something from someone who has no proper knowledge about it is a waste of time. Don’t let the chance of acquiring new knowledge slip away. According to tradition, a yogi (yoga teacher) must be a guru’s trainee for many years before transitioning to teaching even the most basic yoga technique. At the present time, there are short courses (as short as three days) available for an individual interested in being a yoga teacher. While a qualified yogi bred by tradition won’t necessarily mean extraordinary, an unqualified teacher won’t necessarily mean awful either. But the gist is this, accidents from yoga have been reportedly considered as a sports injury. One of the main reasons why injuries like those happen is because of instructors not knowledgeable enough. It is with utmost importance that you get to know your teacher – his/her background, yoga teaching experiences and the likes.
Mistakes are a natural part of life, but they offer valuable lessons for growth. It’s important to remember that each one is an opportunity to improve and avoid repeating them in the future. Embrace your experiences and apply the solutions you’ve discovered along the way. Yoga, as a beautiful form of self-healing, can support you on this journey. Don’t let a single misstep discourage you from continuing to pursue it. Keep moving forward with confidence and patience.
If you found this article useful, you might also like to read Our Guide to the Different Types of Yoga.
