Like many other experiences, practicing yoga for the first time can feel intimidating, especially if the main approach we’ve seen features complicated poses. However, like other habits, yoga is a practice that you can start by taking one small step at a time.
If you’ve been thinking about trying yoga but feel worried about doing it wrong, we’ve prepared a small guide sharing the most common yoga mistakes beginners make, so you can avoid them and have a secure and enjoyable practice.
#1: Rushing Into Advanced Poses Too Soon
Some people’s first impression of yoga is watching experienced yogis practice complicated poses, such as the Scorpion Pose (Srschikasana) or a handstand (Adho Mukha Vrksasana), in a way that looks natural, easy, and effortless. So, when trying them at the studio, they feel frustrated when they realize that poses like these are, in fact, not that easy, and if done without a professional or at home, they even risk getting injured.
Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the same principle applies to yoga. While it can be fun and exciting to achieve certain goals and marvel at the abilities of our bodies, it is essential to build a foundational strength first, something you can accomplish with the guidance of our skilled instructors at Prana Yoga Studio.
#2: Holding the Breath Without Realizing It
In previous articles we’ve mentioned that, at its core, yoga is a combination of postures, breathing, and meditation. Nevertheless, the breathing part can be challenging for some beginners. When learning new poses and focusing on practicing movement safely, it’s easy to forget to breathe naturally, resulting in this common beginner’s mistake.
If you find yourself doing this, don’t try to force the breath: start by staying aware of it. In class, you can follow the instructor’s instructions or use movement as a guide, inhaling and exhaling slowly through your nose.
#3: Comparing Yourself to Others
This is one of the most common mistakes people make, not only in yoga but in many other practices or activities. When we’re new at something, it’s hard not to compare ourselves with others. “Am I doing this right?” is a question many ask themselves during their first yoga class, followed by glances at other classmates.
However, as we shared in our students’ testimonials, every yoga practice is a private and personal journey, where each individual, regardless of their age or gender, has their own progress and benefits from it in many different ways.
#4: Skipping Savasana
Each yoga class can be as active or as relaxing as we prefer, but all of them have something in common: they end with rest. Savasana posture, also known as Corpse Pose, is a final relaxation that works as a resting pose, but it’s also an essential part of practicing yoga.
Many people think it has no benefits and even consider skipping it altogether since it consists only of lying on the floor. But this posture allows our nervous system a moment to relax completely, providing closure to every lesson and making our practice feel balanced and whole. So don’t rush and allow yourself to relax.
Ready to experience yoga? Join us at Prana Yoga Studio in Imperial Valley!