You’re not lazy, I know you are not lazy. But who has time for tons of really detailed vague info, the lazy girls guide is my no BS guide to, well life — just in case you were like, ???

“Yoga, yoga, yoga I love yoga”. Or at least that’s what “I” sound like when Chris lovingly mocks me, he has heart eyes when he mocks me so it’s okay. So what I talk a lot about it (all the time). But before I get started on another “yoga, yoga yoga I love yoga” talk, can we talk a bit about the word practice for a split second?
I am constantly feeling like how ever I type that word, it’s wrong. And with my naturally amazing grammar skills (side eyes) I’m just always sure I’m on the wrong side of the fence. But this word is just one of those confusing ones, in Canada it’s generally “practise” (verb) and “practice” (noun), but for some reason I always grew up writing it as “practice” (noun and verb) even though I’m Canadian, so my brain only knows that way. So if you ever wondered or got annoyed with my wicked spelling/grammar skills, cause I know you care so much that it kept you up at night, that is why I spell that specific word so right (or wrong).

Since I’m lazy (not really, I just like things to be simple) and I love my yoga practice I thought hey, I should do a Lazy Girls Guide To Starting A Yoga Practice. A round-up of tips for starters (slash beginners) and maybe a few pushes thrown in, because it should be an easy thing to start but I know it isn’t — because it just looks so darn intimidating but it shouldn’t be.

1.JUST DO IT

If you are thinking about it, then do it and stop thinking. You don’t need a fancy mat or fancy clothes, start with what you have (but if and when you want to grab a mat or clothes here are my favorites). You don’t need to be flexible or fit at all, sure the pictures you always see of yoga poses are of really fit and flexible people but that is not what yoga looks like for the majority of people. And remember every single one of those people started somewhere, it’s a journey.
Now to start, get yourself a book (OM Yoga is great or the Yoga Fan) so you can learn a bit about poses and use the book to help you try some out, in the comfort of our home. And look at you, you’re doing it.

2.SEE HOW YOU FELT

Practice for 15 minutes or an hour (start with something and remember something is always better than nothing), using one of the books or one of these great at home resources. Force yourself to do it today, and then sit back and focus on how you feel afterwards. Now remember that for tomorrow, you know tomorrow, when you try to talk yourself out of doing it again. And pat yourself on the back for today’s practice, though feeling good should be a pat on the back all on its own.

3.STEP IT UP

Remember how you felt after that practice and don’t forget. Now make your way to a studio class, listen closely to the teacher and fall into your own breath — remember how you felt afterwards as you laid in savasana. If a studio is not in your cards right now, try a class a t a gym like Goodlife or an at home class but stick with it till the end make it a priority, look at how you felt after and breath that in.

4.MISS IT ONE DAY

Do yoga everyday, from the very beginning. Even if it’s only a few poses at first. Then step it up to 15 minutes, then a full class (or a full at home class). Ease in with your body, but don’t skip a single day. Even on the days you struggle and it gets hard (unless it hurts, yoga should never hurt) it will get better, and some days are just hard because you’re a human. Don’t skip a day and remember how you felt after every class, during every last savasana. Now miss a day (maybe after 7 days, maybe 15 or 30 if you really want to smile). How do you feel after missing today’s practice? Junky? Maybe sore and just not that great? Remember that and remember that you felt way better on all the days that you did yoga, even on the hard days.

Now just work on fitting it into your everyday, fitting it into your budget and find the style of yoga that is for you (maybe hot?). But keep it consistent and hey look at that, you are starting a yoga practice, your yoga practice (don’t compare it to anyone elses!) — now remember how it feels.

And please do tell! Have you tried yoga, did you try it for a few days in a row, did I just mister miyagi you into starting a practice?

Also check out our other lazy girl guide:
The Lazy Girls Guide To Simply Great iPhone Photos