\u201cStarting yoga can feel intimidating, especially if you think you need to be flexible, calm, or experienced before you begin,\u201d says yoga teacher Annabella Landa<\/a>. \u201cThe truth is that yoga meets you exactly where you are.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below <\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not ready to step into a class, there are many at-home options you can try, including Landa\u2019s 7-Day Beginner Yoga series<\/a> on the ALO Wellness Club app<\/a>. It features short, accessible flows that focus on foundational elements\u2014ideal if you\u2019re new.<\/p>\n Landa says it\u2019s important to learn basic postures\u2014such as hip openers, twists, balances and transitions\u2014so you can build your confidence.<\/p>\n Here, Landa shares her five top tips for anyone who wants to start yoga but is nervous about starting, or indeed getting into their first child\u2019s pose.<\/p>\n 1. Let go of the idea that you need to be good at yoga<\/p>\n Landa explains that natural flexibility is not a prerequisite for starting yoga. It\u2019s something even yoga teachers lack and is developed through consistent practice.<\/p>\n Similarly, she explains that a calm and peaceful attitude isn\u2019t something you need to bring onto the mat. \u201cIt\u2019s something you cultivate,\u201d she says. \u201cSpirituality isn\u2019t a look. It\u2019s not incense or aesthetic poses or knowing Sanskrit.<\/p>\n \u201cYoga is about building awareness and strength in your current body, not forcing it to look a certain way. If you\u2019ve been waiting to feel ready, this is your reminder: you don\u2019t need to be more of anything. You just need to begin.\u201d<\/p>\n 2. Start slower than you think you need to <\/p>\n \u201cMany beginners jump into fast-paced flows and feel discouraged,\u201d says Landa.<\/p>\n What to read next<\/p>\n \u201cStarting with foundational, slower-paced classes helps you understand body alignment and breath. That base makes everything else feel more accessible later.\u201d<\/p>\n Yoga stretches for beginners | 15 minutes – YouTube Watch On <\/a> \u201cIt\u2019s normal to feel muscles working in new ways,\u201d says Landa.<\/p>\n However, she encourages beginners to learn how to distinguish between sensation and strain. \u201cSharp, pinching pain or joint pain is not normal.\u201d<\/p>\n Landa explains that this discernment is also a skill built over time and that you must first learn to tune into your body and listen\u2014another fundamental element of yoga practice.<\/p>\n 4. Focus on your breath, not the room<\/p>\n I\u2019m sure we could all do with getting out of our heads a little, and Landa tells Fit&Well that experiencing your own practice in your own body\u2014not worrying about anyone else\u2014is the best way to experience yoga. This also takes time and practice.<\/p>\n \u201cComparison is common in studio settings or even online classes,\u201d says Landa.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you shift your focus to your breathing, you\u2019ll stay grounded in your own experience.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe breath is what makes yoga yoga, not how advanced the pose looks.\u201d<\/p>\n 5. Be consistent, not extreme <\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to go all-in on your new hobby and nothing else, but this isn\u2019t conducive to a healthy yoga practice. No matter how much you enjoy it, it doesn\u2019t need to take over your entire life.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t need hour-long sessions every day,\u201d says Landa. \u201cEven 10 to 20 minutes a few times a week can build strength, balance and confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShorter sessions remove the pressure of carving out a full hour, and help you maintain momentum while still seeing real results,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n \u201cSmall, steady effort creates sustainable progress. On the ALO Wellness Club app, my Glow & Go<\/a> series features classes that are 30 minutes or less, making it easier to stay consistent even on busy days.\u201d<\/p>\n About our expert Social Links Navigation<\/p>\n <\/a><\/a><\/a>Yoga teacher<\/p>\n Landa is a qualified yoga teacher and describes herself as a movement facilitator. She is an instructor for ALO Wellness Club<\/a>, creating and demonstrating guided flows for their app. She is also launching her own yoga company\u2014Annie Moves Yoga<\/a>\u2014and is taking her first yoga retreat to Mexico in April 2026.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Yoga](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774456209_510_maxresdefault.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n3. Feel the difference between discomfort and pain<\/p>\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/qFghsgzczEUXXXqHEt8F5D.png\")
About our expertAnnabelle \u201cAnnie Moves\u201d Landa<\/p>\n