In this fast-paced world, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the hectic pace of life.
Yoga has been widely accepted as a way to stay stress-free and get in touch with one’s inner self.
But as a beginner, where do you start?
Here is your guide to spiritual yoga for beginners – everything you need to know about yoga and spirituality!
What is spirituality?
Before we dive into spiritual yoga, let’s start off with what spirituality even is, just so we’re on the same page here.
There is no one universal definition of spirituality. It’s not like specific religions that believe in a deity or anything like that, spirituality is a much more general term.
Spirituality can be defined as the connection we feel toward something greater than ourselves.
This can be towards a higher power such as God, a philosophical concept such as love, or even our fellow human beings.
It’s about feeling connected on a deeper level and being open to new experiences.
It can be applied to any religion or belief system – from Christianity to Buddhism, from Islam to yoga.
A spiritual practice doesn’t have to be tied to a specific religion – it can be an exploration of yourself and your connection to the world.
That’s what makes spirituality so attractive, it allows you to truly explore what feels right to you without being tied to any specific belief or religion.
And the best part? Even if you are following a specific religion, you are spiritual on some level!
So, spirituality is really what you make of it, anything that connects you more with your inner self and whatever you believe in.
In our fast-paced world, having something to connect to and root yourself in can be really beneficial.
It can help you to stay focused and grounded.
It can also help to give your life more meaning.
That’s why spirituality is such an important part of our lives, even if we don’t realize it.
This is especially true in our modern society, where material possessions and money are highly valued.
We’ve become so disconnected from one another that it’s easy to forget the meaning of life!
Yoga can be a great way to reconnect with yourself and your spirituality – that’s what we’ll explore in this guide!
What is yoga?
Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India.
It’s a set of physical and mental exercises that can help you connect with your inner self through physical postures and breathing exercises.
There are many different styles of yoga – from Ashtanga to Iyengar.
The one most people are familiar with is hatha yoga, which focuses on the physical aspect of yoga, such as poses and breathwork.
This is the yoga that is typically taught in mainstream classes at gyms or on youtube.
Yoga has been adopted by many different cultures throughout history, but it’s still widely recognized as an ancient Indian practice.
It’s not something new – it’s been around for thousands of years!
The spiritual aspect of yoga usually comes from its roots in Hinduism, which is one reason why many people see it as religiously affiliated. But this isn’t true at all!
Hatha Yoga’s roots come from Hinduism, but its practices don’t have to be tied to any religion or belief system. You can practice it in a completely secular way if you want!
This is where spirituality comes in.
Because yoga was always a spiritual practice, it is very easy to connect it with spirituality.
What is spiritual yoga?
Spiritual yoga is an addition to mainstream yoga.
This is when you add a spiritual connection to your practice, either by meditating, chanting, or visualizing.
Spiritual yoga can sometimes be associated with other types of yoga such as Ashtanga yoga, Hatha yoga, or Kundalini yoga.
Generally, spiritual yoga consists of a combination of physical postures and breathing exercises that are supposed to increase your concentration and focus, as well as your self-discipline.
However, spiritual yoga is actually quite simple.
It is not a practice in and of itself, it’s basically just adding your own element of spirituality into a yoga practice.
The mainstream yoga we see a lot everywhere often focuses more on the physical aspects of yoga – flexibility and strength training.
When you add in spirituality, you will be left with spiritual yoga!
Why do spiritual yoga?
Let’s take a look at a few things you should know before starting your first yoga session.
Make sure you get the right gear
Yoga can be done in various ways, from formal yoga poses performed in a heated room, to informal stretches performed in a park or your living room.
It all depends on what you’re comfortable with. But it is important that you invest in some good yoga gear like yoga mats, yoga towels, yoga blocks or yoga blankets.
If you are just starting out and you aren’t sure if you enjoy yoga, you don’t need to buy a bunch of stuff to start.
The most important thing is that you wear something you are comfortable in and that feels good!
Stay hydrated
As you start sweating during your yoga practice, you need to make sure you stay hydrated.
This can be done by taking breaks when you feel like you’re too thirsty to go on, or by sipping some water during your practice.
Let go of any expectations you have of what you think yoga should look like
You may have images in your head of how yoga should be performed, but each person can do yoga in different ways.
There is no right or wrong way to do yoga.
And most importantly, there isn’t just one body type to do yoga. I feel like in the media yoga has been overtaken by the Western fitness industry and you always just see a very specific body type in all those ads.
However, yoga can be done by everyone!
Be gentle with yourself
Yoga is supposed to be a relaxing and soothing experience. If you find yourself being too competitive with yourself or others, then you may want to find a more relaxing form of yoga.
And most importantly, don’t beat yourself up if you don’t feel super flexible or strong at first.
It is a long process and yoga is all about accepting where your body is on that particular day.
Best poses for spiritual beginners
There are no specific yoga poses that are only meant for spiritual beginners.
Most yoga poses can be performed by anyone, regardless of their level. But if you are a total beginner, you can try simple yoga poses like child’s pose, sun salutation, mountain pose, or warrior pose.
These poses are easy to perform and will help you get a feel for what yoga is all about.
Some other poses that are nice for spiritual yoga are the lotus pose, tree pose, or corpse pose.
Starting with these will give you a good foundation.
Tips to keep in mind before you start your spiritual yoga journey
I have a few more tips to get you started on your spiritual yoga journey!
Set an intention for your yoga journey
Ask yourself why you’re doing yoga.
Is it for health reasons, or do you want to explore your spirituality?
Keeping an intention will help you stay on track and know what you are trying to achieve.
Most importantly, it will help you to show up on the days when you don’t feel super motivated.
Remember that yoga is not a race
Don’t try to go as fast as you can during your yoga session.
Make sure you take breaks when you feel tired, and make sure you perform the poses correctly.
Nothing in yoga is about competition, so take it slow and at your own pace.
Be open to trying different styles of yoga
Yoga is diverse and there are so many types of yoga out there.
Explore different styles and see what works best for you.
Be patient with yourself
Don’t expect to be an expert after your first yoga session.
Be patient and give yourself time to learn and find what works best for you.
Trust me, no master yogi was ever born right after the first yoga session.
The best yogis have been training for years, or even decades!
Stay focused
Stay focused on your practice and don’t let your thoughts wander about other things.
Meditation can be a great way to keep your mind focused during yoga.
Now: while you are doing yoga, don’t beat yourself up when your mind starts to wander, thoughts tend to do that.
Just gently bring your attention back to your body and the pose you are in.
You will get better with time!
If you beat yourself up about it, you will only achieve the exact opposite of what you want to achieve.
Patience and kindness with yourself are key!
Stay motivated
Nothing is more demotivating than not seeing any progress and feeling like you aren’t improving. Make sure you stay motivated by setting and keeping goals for yourself.
These goals don’t have to be anything physical, you could have the goal of staying calm in rush hour traffic, or being kind to your neighbor.
Just make sure you’re setting goals for yourself and it will keep you motivated!
Be persistent and consistent
Nothing happens overnight, so don’t expect it to happen.
Be persistent and consistent with your practice and you will see progress.
Yoga is all about the journey, not the destination.
If you want to see results, you will have to be persistent and consistent with your practice.
What other spiritual practices can you do?
There are so many other practices you can add to your yoga journey.
You can try meditating, journaling, applying essential oils, singing, or reading poetry.
You can also read books or articles that inspire you, or write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal.
Keeping a journal can be a great way to get your thoughts and feelings out.
It can help you reduce stress and anxiety, and improve your self-confidence.
However, practices such as chanting, working with crystals, doing tarot readings, and much more can also add to your spiritual journey.
These are just a few ways you can add to your yoga experience and explore your spirituality more.
You see, spirituality is not a cookie-cutter practice.
Everybody is different and different things work best for different people.
If you aren’t sure where to start with your journey, try out different things and you will soon find your path, I promise!
Do what makes you feel good
The number one rule is to do what makes you feel good.
If a yoga practice doesn’t resonate with you, don’t do it!
If meditation doesn’t work for you, don’t do it!
You are the expert on your own body and mind, so listen to them.
The more you practice yoga, the more you will learn about yourself, and the easier it will be to find what works best for you.
A regular yoga practice can improve your focus and concentration, which can be helpful not only in your yoga sessions but also in your daily life.
Studies have shown that regular yoga practice can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
It can also improve the quality of your sleep and help with any insomnia problems.
A regular yoga practice can also help with digestive issues such as bloating and acid reflux.
If you are feeling stressed and anxious, a yoga practice can help you regulate your emotions and find peace. Yoga is also a great way to build self-confidence and learn to love yourself.
Now, spiritual yoga helps with all of these things, but it also depends on your connection to spirituality.
Many people feel that spiritual yoga is more beneficial than regular yoga because it helps them connect to their inner self and find peace with themselves.
Spiritual yoga is also great for connecting with others and finding a sense of community!
You see, the more you do spiritual yoga, the better you will understand yourself and the things you do.
Your patterns will start making sense and you will have a better sense of who you are.
Spiritual yoga is also a great way to connect with others and find support in your life. It can be fun to meet up with other people who do spiritual yoga!
You will also feel more connected to the world around you and understand that everything is interconnected.
Spiritual yoga is not just about what happens in the present moment, it’s about the past and future as well.
Many spiritual yogis believe that we are all connected on some level and spiritual yoga helps us realize this connection.
So, if you want to get in touch with your inner self, try adding spirituality into your practice!
The best time to practice spiritual yoga for beginners
There really is no wrong time to practice yoga, but certain times may be better suited for you.
You might feel like practicing in the morning is better for you because you feel energized after a night’s sleep.
Other people might prefer to practice before bed because they feel relaxed and at ease.
Some people use their yoga practice as a break during their day.
There are various forms of yoga, so you can choose the one that is best for you.
I will show you a few yoga poses in a second, but there are a lot more that you can try out.
Nidra, or yogic sleep, is something you can try before bed.
It is a guided meditation, meant to put you in a state of relaxation while you are still lying in bed.
Vipassana meditation is a great way to clear your mind and find inner peace.
It is a type of meditation that focuses on observing the thoughts that are passing through your mind.
In general, spiritual yoga might be difficult for you at first if you have no experience tapping into your spirituality.
In those cases, right after waking up or right before going to sleep might be the best times for you to practice.
That’s when your brainwaves are at a point where it is easier for you to tap into your subconscious and you will be more open to spirituality.
It might also be helpful to have a few candles and incense around, so you can really get into the zone.
Doing this practice for the first time in the middle of a busy day might prevent you from really getting in the zone and feeling it.
Things to Know Before Starting Your First Yoga Session
Let’s take a look at a few things you should know before starting your first yoga session.
Make sure you get the right gear
Yoga can be done in various ways, from formal yoga poses performed in a heated room, to informal stretches performed in a park or your living room.
It all depends on what you’re comfortable with. But it is important that you invest in some good yoga gear like yoga mats, yoga towels, yoga blocks or yoga blankets.
If you are just starting out and you aren’t sure if you enjoy yoga, you don’t need to buy a bunch of stuff to start.
The most important thing is that you wear something you are comfortable in and that feels good!
Stay hydrated
As you start sweating during your yoga practice, you need to make sure you stay hydrated.
This can be done by taking breaks when you feel like you’re too thirsty to go on, or by sipping some water during your practice.
Let go of any expectations you have of what you think yoga should look like
You may have images in your head of how yoga should be performed, but each person can do yoga in different ways.
There is no right or wrong way to do yoga.
And most importantly, there isn’t just one body type to do yoga. I feel like in the media yoga has been overtaken by the Western fitness industry and you always just see a very specific body type in all those ads.
However, yoga can be done by everyone!
Be gentle with yourself
Yoga is supposed to be a relaxing and soothing experience. If you find yourself being too competitive with yourself or others, then you may want to find a more relaxing form of yoga.
And most importantly, don’t beat yourself up if you don’t feel super flexible or strong at first.
It is a long process and yoga is all about accepting where your body is on that particular day.
Best poses for spiritual beginners
There are no specific yoga poses that are only meant for spiritual beginners.
Most yoga poses can be performed by anyone, regardless of their level. But if you are a total beginner, you can try simple yoga poses like child’s pose, sun salutation, mountain pose, or warrior pose.
These poses are easy to perform and will help you get a feel for what yoga is all about.
Some other poses that are nice for spiritual yoga are the lotus pose, tree pose, or corpse pose.
Starting with these will give you a good foundation.
Tips to keep in mind before you start your spiritual yoga journey
I have a few more tips to get you started on your spiritual yoga journey!
Set an intention for your yoga journey
Ask yourself why you’re doing yoga.
Is it for health reasons, or do you want to explore your spirituality?
Keeping an intention will help you stay on track and know what you are trying to achieve.
Most importantly, it will help you to show up on the days when you don’t feel super motivated.
Remember that yoga is not a race
Don’t try to go as fast as you can during your yoga session.
Make sure you take breaks when you feel tired, and make sure you perform the poses correctly.
Nothing in yoga is about competition, so take it slow and at your own pace.
Be open to trying different styles of yoga
Yoga is diverse and there are so many types of yoga out there.
Explore different styles and see what works best for you.
Be patient with yourself
Don’t expect to be an expert after your first yoga session.
Be patient and give yourself time to learn and find what works best for you.
Trust me, no master yogi was ever born right after the first yoga session.
The best yogis have been training for years, or even decades!
Stay focused
Stay focused on your practice and don’t let your thoughts wander about other things.
Meditation can be a great way to keep your mind focused during yoga.
Now: while you are doing yoga, don’t beat yourself up when your mind starts to wander, thoughts tend to do that.
Just gently bring your attention back to your body and the pose you are in.
You will get better with time!
If you beat yourself up about it, you will only achieve the exact opposite of what you want to achieve.
Patience and kindness with yourself are key!
Stay motivated
Nothing is more demotivating than not seeing any progress and feeling like you aren’t improving. Make sure you stay motivated by setting and keeping goals for yourself.
These goals don’t have to be anything physical, you could have the goal of staying calm in rush hour traffic, or being kind to your neighbor.
Just make sure you’re setting goals for yourself and it will keep you motivated!
Be persistent and consistent
Nothing happens overnight, so don’t expect it to happen.
Be persistent and consistent with your practice and you will see progress.
Yoga is all about the journey, not the destination.
If you want to see results, you will have to be persistent and consistent with your practice.
What other spiritual practices can you do?
There are so many other practices you can add to your yoga journey.
You can try meditating, journaling, applying essential oils, singing, or reading poetry.
You can also read books or articles that inspire you, or write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal.
Keeping a journal can be a great way to get your thoughts and feelings out.
It can help you reduce stress and anxiety, and improve your self-confidence.
However, practices such as chanting, working with crystals, doing tarot readings, and much more can also add to your spiritual journey.
These are just a few ways you can add to your yoga experience and explore your spirituality more.
You see, spirituality is not a cookie-cutter practice.
Everybody is different and different things work best for different people.
If you aren’t sure where to start with your journey, try out different things and you will soon find your path, I promise!
Do what makes you feel good
The number one rule is to do what makes you feel good.
If a yoga practice doesn’t resonate with you, don’t do it!
If meditation doesn’t work for you, don’t do it!
You are the expert on your own body and mind, so listen to them.
The more you practice yoga, the more you will learn about yourself, and the easier it will be to find what works best for you.
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