How Do I Start Yoga At Home Sis?

When first Tik-Tok video went viral I had over 100 comments asking this one question…Sis, how do I get started?

At this time of this post, this video currently has over 120k views. I honestly have no idea why it was so popular but I am so glad it is!

I started my yoga journey with absolutely no idea what I was doing.  The first and last time I stepped into an actual studio I was a freshman in college trying to avoid the freshman 15. I felt completely out of place and that particular class wasn’t designed for my curvy body; I left before the class ended. Fast forward into real adulthood, an 80 pound weight gain, a marriage headed for divorce, 5 children and a career that left me feeling burned out; I was seriously on the struggle bus. So what did I decide to do? I decided to learn how to do a headstand….yes you read that right. My solution to my delicate mental and physical health was to teach myself how to do a headstand. Honestly I was searching for a distraction to keep my mind off the chaos happening around me so that I could feel like I was in control of something. 

Eventually my quest to keep control lead me on a journey to discover peace.  

2016

I practiced for a year without having a yoga mat.

The hardest part about starting yoga at home is holding yourself accountable. Getting on the mat when you’re stressed, overwhelmed and busy living life is difficult and easy to say “Nah not today”. Be realistic about who you are and what motivates you to stay committed to your practice. 

My suggestions are not in any particular order. I personally didn’t follow a step by step guide, I was just at home doing the absolute most. I didn’t have a mat and I had no idea what the name of the poses were. Hell I didn’t even know that they were called poses/asanas. What I did know was that I was very uncomfortable in my body and in life and I desperately needed to do something different even if I didn’t know nor understand what that difference was. One thing I know is that life doesn’t often make sense when you’re in it.

My absolute favorite place to practice is outside

So here is how to get started with yoga when you have no idea where to start. 

Acceptance

Yoga begins with acceptance. Accepting that you are who you are and you are where you are. We all have to start somewhere and at the beginning is typically the best place to be. Accepting that you are a perfectly imperfect human that is making a promise to themselves to simply stay connected.

Books

I personally love to read so I started with using books as a resource. I didn’t read long chapters but I looked for books that easily broke down the poses, how to correctly get into the alignments and the benefits and purpose. I didn’t know how to sequence and string the poses along but that was the least of my worries. The focus was on learning the actual poses and how my body could experience them individually. Books allowed me to focus on one pose at a time that caught my interest and challenged my mind and body. These are only suggestions, feel free to let me know if you have any great reads.

Here are some of my favorites

1. The Yoga Bible by Christina Brown

2. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali- This isn’t exactly an easy read and it gets deep into the background philosophy of yoga. I do use it as apart of my spiritual practice but it can simply be used as a guide or inspiration. This may not be your jam but if you are like me and want to fully understand what you are practicing and the history and meaning behind it all this is a great addition to add to your library. I personally grew up in a very christian home and believed that yoga was a religion or a cult and so when I started I needed to find some understanding for myself.

3. Yoga Guide for Beginners: 101 Poses and Sequences for Strength, Flexibility and Mindfulness by Melody White

4. Yoga For Everyone: 50 Yoga Poses for Every Body Type by Dianne Bondy

Choose Your Style

Choose a style or type of yoga that works best for you. You may attend a few classes and really not enjoy them. I wouldn’t stop there. You probably just haven’t found your right fit and the right teacher(even its a youtube guru) to guide you. To get you started here are four types of yoga to consider.

Side Note: There are at least 11 different styles of yoga. Your practice may incorporate a mix of most of if not all of them. However, I suggest start with 1, try it out for a while and switch it up if it doesn’t speak to your mind, body, soul. We often give up when we just have’t found the right fit. 

Types of yoga

1. Vinyasa- (this is the style I personally practice and I love)-You may hear it interchangeably with Ashtanga Yoga as it was adapted from that originally. Considered Mostly athletic. With vinyasa yoga, movement is coordinated with the breath and movement to flow from one pose to another. Movements can be fast or slow and often depends on the teacher and the class. May often hear the words sequence or flow. Can be challenging in the beginning but completely adaptable for all body types.

2. Hatha- Very brand new to yoga and don’t the vigorous exercise of yoga this is where you want to start. Hatha yoga focuses on the physical postures of yoga and takes the classic approach to breathing and exercise. It is a great entry point as it is typically slow paced and takes the time to go into one pose and settle into it before moving on to the next.

3. Kundalini- Equal parts spiritual and physical. Kundalini yoga focuses on releasing trapped, stagnant energy stored in the body. In Kundalini you can expect a deep focus inbreathing with fast moving, dynamic postures, chanting, mantras and meditation. I currently incorporate Kundalini into my personal practice as it can be pretty intense physically and emotionally, however, in the beginning it was overwhelming and I wasn’t ready to focus deeply on my spiritual practice. It took some time for me personally to get to a place where I could handle the release of Kundalini energy on that level.

4. Iyenger- Great option for anyone with injuries. Iyengar focuses on the attention to details and alignment. Poses are typically held for longer period of time with precise movements synced with the breath.

Space

This isn’t my personal space but I never miss an opportunity to practice in a space that inspires.

Create a space in your home that is only dedicated to yoga

Even if you decide that you are going to attend in person classes you want to still consider creating a space in your home to practice. The wonderful thing about yoga is that it is accessible to you anytime you need it and unless you have a yoga teacher on retainer and on call you will find time alone to practice if the space is set up ready to welcome you to your mat. Your space should feel peaceful, welcoming, inviting, calm, free of clutter and distractions. It does not have to be a huge space, nor do you need a dedicated room. My first space was a slither of a corner inside my bedroom. It was tiny but perfect for my still developing practice.

Here are the very basics you will need to get started

1. Yoga Mat

2. Blocks(optional but highly recommended)

3. Yoga Strap(optional but highly recommended)

Optional Prop: Yoga Wheel

I didn’t personally introduce this into my practice until 5 years after I started but there are no rules that says you can’t start now.

Attend a virtual class or book a private session

I do suggest starting with a teacher or a guide. The reality is yoga is incredibly gentle on the body and is truly accessible for everybody, however, without knowing proper alignment could easily lead to injury or further discomfort. Yoga is science based and heavy on anatomy. Learning how to properly adjust into the poses will make your experience 1000% more accessible and enjoyable.

2020 during the pandemic I started Twisted Yogi a virtual yoga studio

Click the picture to book a private session with yours truly.

Playlist

Music matters. I personally like to switch it up depending on my mood and what type of yoga I am practicing. Unsure what music you will enjoy during yoga, try Spotify. There are a ton of playlist created just for yoga. I personally create my own playlist with all my favorite songs. If I need to be energized I am turning on trap music. If I need just vibe and chill I am listening to Neo Soul or R&B. Se where I am going with this…make it yours boo.

Do not focus on what you don’t know, focus on what you already know and build from there. Comparison will get you in your feelings every-time

Do not overwhelm yourself. Start with a few poses a day, or maybe you practice once a week and build up from there. There is no right or wrong amount of time to dedicate to your practice. The wonderful thing about the internet is that most of what you are looking for can be found with a simple google search.

Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect but you do have to get started.