The Process of Starting the Habit of Yoga

It typically takes about two months to form a new habit but only about two weeks to break one. This can make starting something new and keeping it up very difficult. It is not easy to get into a new routine; whether you start a new skincare, diet or even try to change your sleep schedule, it will take a while to get used to the difference. You may spend weeks consistently eating healthy and sleeping well to see your progress crumble in one weekend. When starting something new, you cannot expect to be perfect. Routines, development, positive habits, and growth take time. You need to keep trying.

The same thing goes for your yoga practice. As a beginner, you cannot expect to be the perfect yogi. It is unreasonable to think that you will be able to wake up every morning, go to yoga class, and be able to perform every pose and flow without fault. If you start practicing yoga with perfection in mind, you will set yourself up for disappointment. It is important to remember that flexibility, strength, and changes in mentality all take time to develop. It would help if you gave yourself this time.

Though it can be hard to start something new, there are ways to make being a beginner less scary. We have come up with a few tips to help you through the process of starting yoga so that you can begin well and stick with it over time.

• Start slow.

Wait to begin practicing yoga by signing up for classes seven days a week. This will wear you out and tire you, setting you up for failure. Begin with a couple of easy classes or set a goal to practice a flow once a week. Then, after you get used to this new routine, you can gradually increase the number or difficulty of your classes. Starting off slow will ease you into a new schedule, setting you up for a pattern of commitment and success.

• Remember that everyone was once a beginner.

While it may look like everyone around you knows what they are doing, it is essential to remember that everyone started somewhere. No matter how flexible or strong those around you are, know they built those skills over time. Instead of being nervous or hesitant because you are a beginner, use those around you as an inspiration to keep working hard.

• Feel free to ask questions.

Yoga can be challenging to understand, and there may be words or poses that you do not know. Don’t be afraid to ask those around you or your instructor any questions. They will likely be pleased to help you. You can also ask for modifications of different poses if you cannot do one or if it hurts. It is better to ask questions than to carry on in confusion!

• Go out of your comfort zone.

While you should not push yourself too hard initially, leave your comfort zone and try new flows or classes. When starting out, you should try different types of yoga to find what works best for you! Try new poses; you might surprise yourself with your own capabilities. Please don’t get stuck doing the same thing daily because it is comfortable. Trying new things can help you stick with yoga for longer, as it will keep yoga exciting and fun!

• Rest and recover

Remember to give your body time to rest and your muscles to recover. Starting a new exercise puts new strains on the body, and you want to give yourself time to adapt and recover to new stretches and movements. If you do not give yourself enough time to rest, you will likely hurt yourself, which will also hurt your routine.

These tips will help you make yoga a healthy habit! Stick with your new routine to see true results in your everyday life.