Yoga Exercises for Beginners

If you want to see what yoga is all about a good way to start is to try poses on your own at home. The problem is that it’s hard to tell what yoga exercises for beginners to start with. Some poses seem too difficult and others are hard to follow.

If you can start your yoga experience with some simple yoga exercises for beginners and keep practicing you will soon get a taste of this wonderful discipline. Then you can decide if joining a class is for you. Jumping straight into a class can sometimes be intimidating and a little basic knowledge never hurt anyone.

The Child’s Pose

The child’s pose is one of the essential yoga exercises for beginners that you should learn. It’s very easy to do and it’s also a great way to rest between exercises if you get tired during a workout. It will help to stretch out your spine and help you rest while still performing a yoga pose.

Start in a kneeling position, your knees should be spread wide apart, as wide as your mat. At the same time your big toes should touch. Bring your torso down so that your belly rests on your thighs. Your forehead should be touching the ground.

The best way to start this position if you are a beginner is to have your arms stretching forward with the palms touching the ground. Another variation you can practice is to have your arms behind you alongside your body with the palms facing upwards. It does not matter which arm position you use, use the one that feels comfortable.

Downward Facing Dog

The downward facing dog is one of the most essential yoga exercises for beginners. It is used in many yoga routines in between exercises. It will help you to rest when you are transitioning from one pose to another. It’s also a great exercise to do.

You need to be on the floor on your hands and knees. Alignment is very important when you are doing the downward facing dog. Your knees should be directly underneath hips. Your hands will be a little in front of your shoulders, so not totally underneath them.

Next you want to exhale and lift your knees keeping them slightly bent, your heels will be a little in the air. You want to feel a lengthening in the spine and legs. Exhale again and push your heels into the ground, don’t worry if you can’t do this just yet. Your knees should be straight but not tightly locked.

Your arms should stretch out and press into the ground. Your body should form an inverted V. Hold this as long as it’s comfortable and then you can go into the child’s pose. These two yoga exercises for beginners will really help you out when you are learning yoga for the first time.