As a yoga teacher, I have hope that there's a yoga class for everyone. But as someone who's seen trendy yoga classes come and go, and preachy yoga enthusiasts make others uncomfortable, I also understand how yoga might not appeal to everyone. If you're one of those people who's trying to give yoga a fair chance – or who just wants some of the same benefits of yoga without actually doing it – you have options. Here's what I suggest:
1. Try a different style.
What are your goals? What types of exercise have sparked your interest in the past? If you're an former athlete who thrives on fast-paced workouts, try hot vinyasa or flow yoga. This style provides movement and less conversation about alignment and the benefit of the poses. In vinyasa class, you are in motion the entire class.
If you appreciate routine, try Bikram yoga. It's a sweaty, intense class that's the same every time. Rather than "flowing" through poses, Bikram classes demand that you hold them. It's heated and the tone is more militant and straight forward than cerebral and abstract.
Restorative, yin and gentle yoga, meanwhile, are more slow-moving and decompressing. If you want to get more flexible without the sweat and physicality of the other styles, try these methods. They are great classes to help you de-stress and recover from a busy lifestyle.
Recently, there's been a surge of specialty classes – beginner's yoga, yoga for men, yoga for weight loss, yoga to eliminate back pain, yoga for the elderly, yoga for kids and so on. Do some research to see if there's a class that suits your identity and needs.
2. Find the right teacher.
Practicing yoga can be unbearable if you don't resonate with the teacher. Whether the instructor's dialogue or style rubs you the wrong way, disagreeing with his or her philosophy can make it difficult to continue – even if you've found the right type of yoga for you. To find a good match, look at a yoga studio's schedule and make it a point to try all of the core teachers' classes to see who appeals to you most. Generally speaking, you will be drawn to the teachers who are most like you, be it in their age, body type, history or view of the world.
3. Practice at home.
Indian music, chanting and yoga jargon are just some of the quintessential aspects of a yoga class that can drive people – particularly men – away. Then, there's the idea of being in a room full of attractive people wearing spandex, all of whom seem more advanced and attuned than you as a beginner. It can be a lot for new students to handle.
Instead, try starting with a DVD, a YouTube class or logging onto a website like YogaGlo at home. You may eventually find yourself in a class. While there's no substitute for working in groups under the observant eye of a teacher, anything that gets more people trying yoga is positive in my book. Practicing at home also saves you the time and energy of traveling to and from class.
4. Try a different type of exercise.
If you decide that yoga just isn't enjoyable, there are plenty of options that provide similar benefits. Body weight calisthenics, for example, are low impact and provide a more aggressive, strength-focused approach to movement. Kettlebell training, meanwhile, is dynamic and gives you a full-body workout that requires your full attention on your form and breath. Any movement that requires breath-body awareness and demands that you are completely present will provide a meditative benefit.
Whatever type of exercise suits, consider doing it with a group in order to hold yourself accountable and present. Develop a stretching and myofascial release routine before and after your workouts too so that you maintain a healthy range of motion and eliminate aches and pains. Avoid going to the gym and staring at your phone. Instead, shut your phone off and challenge yourself to unplug and focus on your body and mind.
[See: 1 Yoga tip for tiny belly.]
[See: 1 Yoga tip for tiny belly.]
5. Test new relaxation techniques.
You can use simple techniques to get grounded without going to yoga. For instance, get into the habit of meditating for 10 minutes when you wake up in the morning. Sit or lie down and focus on your breath. Count your breaths up to 10 and then back down to zero. If you lose count, just start at the beginning. Do not have any expectations to clear your mind of thoughts; just have an experience. During your daily life, notice when you are short of breath and practice taking a couple of deep breaths in through your nose and back out the mouth. Relax your jaw and notice how you feel.
Make self-care a priority by, for example, practicing self-massage with essential oils. Or, soak your feet in warm water and Epsom salts. Spend evenings connecting with those you love and go to bed early. Learn to enjoy your life and flourish in it. That's the goal of practicing yoga – and you can achieve it without even rolling out your mat.
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Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap |
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