Are you a beginner to Yoga or thinking of trying out this fantastic form of exercise?

We asked Flanci Ambassador Yana, an Ashtanga Yoga and Power Yoga Instructor, for her top 5 tips for beginners to Yoga.

Start where you are.

Everyone is starting from a different place.

Even as a beginner, your ability is different to the person next to you. Maybe you are stronger because you regularly run or workout in the gym, perhaps you are more flexible because you've done gymnastics as a child. Maybe you are very inflexible and are just starting to get your body moving and to increase core strength.

Don’t be disheartened and compare yourself to others. This is your journey, celebrate the fact you are starting.

Do what YOU can.

It is easy to get discouraged if you compare yourself to someone who's done yoga for a number of years.

Start off learning the basics and the correct way to breathe. Break down your practice into small challenges and build up from there.

Set yourself some smaller achievable goals and some stretch goals too.

The simplest poses are the hardest.

They may look easy but holding a pose can be very physically demanding.

If you don’t believe us, try holding this position for 1 minute:

Starting out with these ‘simple’ poses needn’t be intimidating. Try holding a pose for 10 seconds, rest and repeat and gradually build up the duration of the time you can hold the pose.

Remember to focus on your breathing, relax your shoulders and hold in your core.

Practice regularly.

There is no other way to get better.

The more you practice the stronger you will become. There are no shortcuts to becoming fit but it is enjoyable when you find the activity you like. Try different types of yoga to see what suits you best.

Choose a style of yoga that suits you.

There are a lot of styles of yoga, relaxing or athletic, choose the one that suits YOU.

You can choose a faster form of yoga or a more slow, meditative style. Hatha yoga is great for beginners as it can be a slower yoga style, teaching you to breathe correctly and to align your body in a considered way.

If you are new to yoga this style is a good way to try it out and see if it suits you.

About Yana

Yana discovered athletic Yoga in her twenties. She practices a physically demanding style of Yoga and is a passionate FLANCI Activewear customer, requiring high quality, comfortable clothing.

Our leggings feature flat seams and breathable 4-way stretch fabric. The colourful range of activewear is perfect for all types of yoga and for all shapes and sizes from 2XS to 4XL in regular and tall, giving you the confidence to reach your full potential.

Yana believes in the motto ‘start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.’

To find our more about Yana and our inspirational Ambassadors - people just like you, who are passionate about their health, take a look at this page.