Nyk Danu, Yoga Teacher, "Real Yoga for the rest of us"

Are you curious about Yoga? 

Maybe, you don’t feel able to be fully present for your family and your community. Or you want to improve your health and relax.

The only thing is, well, you’re a bit intimidated.  

Don’t give up. It may take some time to find a teacher and environment you feel comfortable in. There are many styles of Yoga, teachers and atmospheres, from spa like Yoga Boutiques to community halls and church basements and everything in between.

There truly is something for everyone, it just takes some time to find the right fit. Ask around. Ask friends, neighbors, family or coworkers if they have recommendations for a teacher they adore.

Register for a beginner class. Dropping into a crowded class when you’re new can leave you feeling lost in the shuffle and feeling a bit deflated. In a beginner class everyone is new just like you and the teacher is more prepared to slow it down and start with a good foundation of alignment.

Congrats! You have signed up some beginner classes, but now what?

Guidelines for New Yogis

• Don’t eat before class. Allow 2 hours after a meal before you do Yoga.
• You don’t need a fancy trendy Yoga outfit. Just something comfortable and stretchy you can move freely in. Dress in layers so you can layer up or down as you warm up and cool down.
• BYOB. Bring your own water bottle. Not only will mother earth thank you but it is a good idea to drink lots of water after class.
• If you have your own mat bring it. If not, you may be able to rent one, just make sure you check ahead of time as to whether or not you can rent a mat.
• Come early so that you have time to check the place out and find a spot in class you are comfortable with.
• When you enter the room, practice silence. Some students may be meditating or relaxing before class.
• Your alignment is super important so the teacher may need to adjust you while you are practicing. If you are uncomfortable with this idea just let the teacher know beforehand.
• Make sure you let the teacher know about any injuries or medical conditions you may have before class starts. Not all poses are suitable for all people. Some poses may have to be modified for you.
• Props are your friends. Let’s face it unless you are a former dancer, gymnast or part of a circus you won’t be doing the full version of the pose. This is where props come in. Blocks, blankets, bolsters and straps make Yoga accessible for those of us who aren’t human pretzels.

Photo (c) Nyk Danu, www.nykdanu.com, used with permission

You might think you aren’t good at Yoga because you’re not flexible.

Don't let this deter you. We practice Yoga to become more flexible. Be patient with your body and know that flexibility comes with time and practice.

Most of all, Yoga is not a competitive sport. We are not in a race to reach our feet, so relax take a deep breath and have fun.

There are a lot of messy moments on the way to grace in Yoga, so a sense of humor will do you well.

Nyk Danu, Creator of “Real Yoga For The Rest Of Us”, teaches Yoga in person in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and virtually on the internet. She is a self-professed Yoga geek, environmentalist, adventurer, green tea addict and dark chocolate lover. Find out more about Nyk & sign up for free Yoga videos www.nykdanu.com

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