We pride ourselves on our yoga for beginners programmes, which are based on understanding and also addressing the idea that anyone who does yoga must be able to touch their toes.
Flexibility is not a prerequisite for yoga, far from it! Here at Soul Sanctuary, we understand that many people are timid about trying yoga because they’re timid about this misconception. Yoga for beginners is about building confidence and introducing new people to the numerous physical, mental and emotional benefits of yoga.
YOGA FOR BEGINNERS – FIND YOUR SOUL SANCTUARY
Beginning any new class or hobby can be an intimidating prospect. Many people will already feel out of their comfort zone without any additional worries about how they’re going to look performing a task. In our yoga for beginners classes, and at Soul Sanctuary in general, you can be safe in the knowledge that no one is judging you. We all started off in the same boat and yoga isn’t about tying yourself up in knots, it’s about rest and recuperation. No matter what your level or experience, we promise that you’ll leave your yoga for beginners class feeling revitalised and empowered.
Yoga is about doing what feels good and right in your body. There is no need to compare yourself with what other people are doing on their mat. Everyone can look different in their poses and our teachers will always be on-hand to help and adjust you to find what is good for you and your body. After all, there is no right or wrong way to practice yoga.
Yoga is exactly that – a practice. I always say that you wouldn’t turn up to a piano lesson already knowing how to play the piano. Likewise, there is no need to worry about not knowing how to perform a pose when you turn up for a yoga for beginners class at Soul Sanctuary.
WHY SHOULD I TRY YOGA – WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Many people know about the multiple physical benefits of yoga. Weight loss, increased flexibility, injury prevention and improved cardiovascular health are just a handful of examples for how yoga can benefit your body. For me though, only around an eighth of yoga is about the physical side of things. Once you start practicing, you’ll realise that the poses are almost irrelevant – it’s more about psychology and what you’re learning about yourself.
At Soul Sanctuary we aim to utilise yoga as a way of improving your mental wellbeing. So, rather than panicking when you are confronted with a challenge on the mat, you just breathe, stay focussed and build your confidence and resilience to overcome it. This will translate to how you feel off the mat, and it is this personal transformation which represents what Soul Sanctuary is all about.
If you had been having doubts about taking up yoga, just getting yourself to the studio will be the start to your journey and one personal obstacle you’ll have already overcome.
I’M NOT THE YOGA TYPE AND I CAN’T FIND THE TIME
This is something we hear a lot. For me, it’s all about finding time for yourself and what you might be prioritising ahead of your own health.
For a lot of people, that’s going to be spending time with family or working to make money for your family. If you want to be the best parent you can be or if you want to be the most successful you can possibly be, you need to have an abundance of energy and you need to feel happy and healthy. Unless you prioritise yourself, it’s unlikely that’s going to happen and you risk burning out and feeling exhausted. This in turn is going to prevent you from reaching your full potential.
People who practice yoga don’t have any more time than anyone else – we all have 24 hours in a day. Sometimes we persuade ourselves that taking time out for us is selfish but I believe the opposite’s true. It’s called a selfish act of rest. When you look after yourself, you’re in a much better place to be there for others.
It’s like when the oxygen masks come down on a plane – you’ve got to put it on yourself before you can help somebody else.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT A YOGA FOR BEGINNERS CLASS?
In our yoga basics class everyone will make you feel comfortable and welcome. We will teach you how to wind down and make you confident in the most common poses. You can go to this class as many times as you want. Even if this is the only class you ever go to, that’s still great. Any yoga is better than no yoga!
Once you’re feeling ready, you can move on to do a full class. We have a variety of yoga classes on offer, including Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Nidra and Yin. Not all styles are for everyone, which is why our 14-day trial is so beneficial. Our teachers will guide you in experimenting with each style and help you to determine what is best for you.
HOW DO I JOIN SOUL SANCTUARY?
There are a number of ways to join a yoga for beginners class, or any of our classes for that matter. You can either buy a class pass, pay per class or subscribe to a monthly membership. You can find out more about our pricing options here.
We also believe everyone should get the chance to see how we work and make sure we’re the right fit for your yoga needs. That’s why we offer 14 days of unlimited yoga for £14. Through this offer, you can try all our different styles of yoga and after that either sign-up for a discounted class pass, monthly subscription or simply attend class-by-class – it’s entirely up to you.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as well, where we share all the latest Soul Sanctuary news, classes, tips and tricks. Take a look at our YouTube channel as well, where we offer expert insight into the different styles of yoga and their benefits. When you’re ready, you can join online family in our Facebook group.
By Laura Butcher
Posted in Enjoy, Uncategorized