I used to practice yoga casually by attending classes at the Y, as well as classes offered by the Toronto District School Board. The classes featured basic Hatha yoga poses, which I found challenging enough. Having been a runner for most of my life, I enjoyed the calm and relaxed atmosphere of the yoga class. I have to admit that it was difficult at first to adapt to the slower pace of yoga (vs. adrenaline-inducing running), but I soon came to look forward to the classes.
Then menopause hit and created hormonal imbalances that resulted in a significant weight gain. I stopped doing yoga since I found the poses too awkward and strenuous. In the past year, I was able to lose 40 pounds on the Keto diet. I am thrilled to have more energy, to be able to fit into my smaller-sized clothes and to just look and feel better. One of the items on my 2022 resolutions and goals list is to start practicing yoga again! Now since we are still in the pandemic, yoga classes are available only online at the moment. I decided to start off small by consulting a yoga book I bought several years ago (The Book of Yoga by Christina Brown) and choosing poses that I thought would be good for someone starting yoga again. You might also want to watch Yoga with Adriene on YouTube. She is the most popular yoga teacher on the channel!
Below are the beginner yoga poses I chose because I thought they would be easy. As you will see, my poses need a lot of work and correction lol:
Downward Facing Dog – Raised Leg Variation
The Downward Facing Dog with Raised Leg Variation pose opens up the quads, lengthens the spine and creates space for improved organ function.
My Downward Facing Dog with Raised Leg Variation was okay, but I shouldn’t have pointed my foot; it should have been flexed.
Revolved Triangle Pose
I really botched this one up. My left leg should not have been bent! Also, my left hand should have been in front of my left foot, not behind it.
Half Bound Lotus Forward Fold
The Half Bound Lotus Forward Fold pose strengthens and helps open the hips, and strengthens the hamstrings, shoulders and upper back.
I think I did this pose as best as I could.
Tree Pose
Tree pose strengthens the ligaments and tendons in your feet and strengthens your core. It also improves your balance as the pose requires good posture and equal weight distribution. As an added bonus, Tree Pose tones the abs!
I am happy with my Tree Pose, but I need to work on raising my foot higher on my left thigh. I should be able to do this once I improve my balance.
Well, I obviously have to work on my beginner yoga poses, but I am happy I started doing yoga early in the new year. Do you practice yoga? What is one of your resolutions for 2022? Please let me know in the comment section.
These yoga poses are looking so easy to do. Loved all of the poses here!
Thanks. Yes, these are some of the easier poses, which are good if you are just beginning yoga. Cheers, Lori
You are doing a great job! I could maybe do the last one. If I didn’t fall on my face.
Thanks! I felt a bit unsteady myself after not having done yoga for a while! Cheers, Lori
That is great you are getting into yoga. Thanks for sharing this, it makes me feel like I could get into starting a yoga routine.
Way to go, Lori! I had no idea that the Tree Pose strengthens your corse. I need that. I watched Yoga with Adrienne. She’s really good. I’m not very flexible at all so even trying “simple” poses were a challenge for me.
Thanks Grace! Yes, Adriene has so many yoga videos on YouTube! Good for you for trying! I’m sure your flexibility will improve over time! Cheers, Lori
You got me :). I’m gonna try these today. Thank you for sharing your healthier lifestyle and yoga tips. I have also noticed the Keto diet and immediately jumped onto the next article you posted. I’m a big Keto fan, hoping for some results too 🙂
Hi, I have found that the Keto diet works for me because I eat these foods anyway. I hope you see positive results with Keto! Cheers, Lori
I enjoy yoga as well. I think it mixes very nicely with running because I am a runner too, it helps me a lot in training, my running group also suggests yoga. You show good basic poses from Hatha I also enjoy (especially after a long run)
Hi Lyosha, I was also a runner for many years. Now, I’m just walking. But I agree that yoga and running are complementary sports since one focuses on breathing, stretching and toning and the other one focuses on cardio! Cheers, Lori
Interesting! Hatha yoga is normally basic, but anyone can struggle with some of the poses especially as a beginner. I enjoy breathing yoga and meditation as well.
Yes, that’s why I have done only Hatha yoga as I found I could manage the poses. I also meditate from time to time. Cheers, Lori
For me the good thing is all the poses you demonstrated are easy enough to do. Although I’m hoping that I don’t fall when I try the tree pose.
Hi Melanie, Oh yes…I definitely started with the easiest poses! I have a bit of trouble balancing when doing the tree pose so I had to have someone take the photo really quickly lol. Cheers, Lori
I always wanted to try yoga but haven’t gotten the chance. Seems this is the sign to work things out and have fun!
Hey you should stop by my blog for info on the poses! You need blocks for triangle pose for sure. (also that’s not revolved triangle pose *wink*).
Hi Di, I will definitely check out your blog to see how I should be doing these poses. Oops, I thought I was doing revolved triangle pose lol. Cheers, Lori
This is timely! I am trying to have a healthier lifestyle and I plan to start with yoga. Thank you for sharing this poses. Very helpful for beginners like me.
Hi Clarice, You’re welcome. Yes, I think many of us are trying to live a healthier lifestyle as a result of the pandemic! Cheers, Lori
Yoga is best for our overall mental and physical health. These poses are really good for beginners.
Hi Khushboo, I agree that yoga is good for both physical and mental health! Yes, I tried to choose poses that beginners could do. Cheers, Lori
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