Top Ten Ways to Start a Yoga Program

10. Be willing to do lots of different things.  Take 30 days and go to a few yoga studios do DVDs, take a private pilates class.  In essence you are shopping around for what fits your personality your lifestyle and your energy level. There is nothing worse than “having to go to the gym.”

9. Find a friend to go with you.  It’s hard to go it alone.  Find someone who is willing to do lots of different things with you.  At the end of the 30 days you may find you both go your own way. Don’t commit to anything until you’ve tried everything together.  Having a friend keeps you accountable when you just don’t feel like going.

8. Start shopping.  Nothing says fun like a reason to go shopping.  It’s always better to go workout or do some down dogs knowing you look your best.  Sure it may not be a size small but find workout clothes that you feel good in and you like to wear.  But don’t buy too much because you’re likely to have to buy it all over again once you start re-shaping your body.

7. Keep a journal.  After every class, DVD or private session rate what it was like.  Did you like the workout but not the teacher? Did you like the place but not the people?  Create a list and score each place and workout after each visit.  Start to identify what on your list is most important to you and match up the places/workshop that has the highest scores.

6. There are no quick fixes.  Taking care of your body and your health is a choice.  We all know that we can’t floss once and keep our teeth at their best.  The same goes with yoga.  It needs to be a lifestyle choice.  Something we can easily fit into our schedule that is an enjoyable part of our day.  You have to think of it like lunch or recess when you were a kid.

5. Feel your way into shape.  Feel what is like to fit in those new clothes, feel what it is like when the opposite sex notices you, feel how great it is when you have to tighten your belt, feel how you are going to receive the compliments that come, feel how rewarding it is when your hard work pays off.  Don’t let yourself feel anything else but the end result.

4. Be ready for change.  You cannot start a yoga program and expect everything in your life to stay status quo.  You are changing.  Your schedule is changing, your energy levels are changing your muscles are changing and all of that takes work and effort so expect to feel sore, expect to have other people vie for your time, expect some challenges but remember change makes change.

3. Make it a priority.  Whatever we give our attention to will increase.  If you let your co-workers convince you it’s better to go out for happy hour than going to a yoga class remember you are on a path to change and when you give your attention to that change and make it a priority everything else will have to change too.  There are happy hours every night of the week but your favorite class or yoga teacher will only be there for you when you are there for you.

2. After 30 days give yourself a day to go back.  Go back to your old schedule, old eating habits, old friends, old clothes and notice the difference in how you feel on your new days and on your old days.  Remember this is only to notice how you feel not what you are thinking.  Your body will always let you know what feels right.

1. Never give up.

© L. Justine Fuller