For those thinking of starting a yoga practice, but who might feel a little intimidated by it, we have a few tips to get you inspired.
We chatted with Zenny Mera who has been practicing yoga for over 10 years—she started her practice in 2009—and learned what inspired her to start a yoga practice (hint: Madonna). We also learned tips to help newbies get into a yoga practice when the moves might seem intimidating. We know, we’ve been there too. Downward dog isn’t the “resting” position many yoga instructors claim it to be. And, we were happy that Mera noted the difficulties people sometimes find in this simple pose, too.
“I got into yoga for fitness…I needed something to go together with my obsession of spinning classes, and I read Madonna did yoga everyday and she has fantastic arms, soooo I thought it was a good idea,” said Mera. “Not the average reason why people start yoga, but it worked out. I was lucky enough to find my yoga practice practically in my backyard. I was living in Doral and my yoga teacher, David Yglesias started Energy Yoga in the clubhouse at Doral ParkCountry Club.”
She notes that the class consisted of taking a yellow card with hole punches for a 10 class membership, which she remembers buying her first one on Groupon. “After my first week, I was obsessed, I loved everything about it. Fast forward a couple of months and yoga quickly became a part of my life…no longer a fitness regime,” added Mera. “I found my presence on my mat, I found my movement, my breath. It’s something almost hard to explain.”
But that was just the beginning of Mera’s yoga journey. “Shortly after,” she says, “I joined the teacher training led by my teacher David Yglesias, it was the summer of 2012. I never imagined teaching anyone anything…it’s a huge responsibility, but David encouraged me and pretty much told me I was ready—his faith in me is something I will always cherish. I started teaching January 2013 and the rest is history. Energy Yoga, where I took my first ever yoga class, is my forever home. When I moved to New Jersey, I left a piece of my heart in Energy Yoga. However, till this day, as I continue to teach in New Jersey, people ask where I was trained, who my teacher was, and I proudly say David Yglesias and all my fellow teachers and students”
Now, if learning about Mera’s yoga journey has you inspired to try to start a routine of your own, we asked her for some advice for newbies thinking of dipping their toes into the practice.
For those starting to get into working out for the first time, why would you suggest yoga as part of their regime?
Yoga is for everyone. Yoga will complement any workout regime, whether it’s heavy weight lifting, running, cycling, swimming, boxing, etc. We need to keep our body fluid in movement for all those exercises and yoga brings that fluidity.
Yoga can be intimidating for beginners, the moves can look complex, how should someone approach starting a yoga practice?
One of my favorite quotes is, “You want to know the difference between a master and a beginner? The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.” Practice, it is the name—Yoga practice…yoga is a practice. I have met people who can do an incredible handstand, but can’t touch their toes, the importance is the practice. My best advice to any “beginner” is just show up, everyday, feel your body, feel your breath and find the connection between the two of them, then yoga happens. No fancy handstand or arm balance, no crazy backbend, just the movement—the movement connecting body, mind and soul.
Once you see that, the complex moves mean nothing and your practice grows.
What a beginner used to see as a complex move, becomes a complex move for that other person who can pull off a handstand with their eyes closed (well, almost). Some people will be better at one pose than another, some will look like a graceful swan on their mat, some just want to survive until savasana. But in the end, each and every person brings their own challenge to their mat—family, spouses, children, money, work, just life. The beauty of yoga is that it helps you move through these challenges, these obstacles, with a clearer mind and an open heart with the gift of presence, detachment, and an appreciation to the little things. The little things that always make the big things feel better. In other words, for anyone intimated by yoga, it’s okay. It is hard, it is work, but don’t give up, try your first class with an open mind and heart. Breathe and move to the pace of your own breath, and then I promise you, yoga will find you, when you least expect it.
What benefits would you say yoga brings to someone’s workout regime?
Body conscious movement. There are so many different types of yoga. I primarily teach Power Vinyasa, which is a faster moving, strength practice with a concentration in breath control and some yummy stretches at the end of class. All workout regimes require a strong core and good form. I am a big believer that yoga makes you very body conscious. Therefore, my crossfitters who lift an enormous amount of weight, or runners who pound their feet on the pavement, or boxers who keep their form “in a box” as a form of protection, all need to be body conscious of what is going on in their body with all the moves they perform during their workout.
In yoga, for example, what someone can refer to as a simple down dog, is actually not so simple when broken down. Listening, feeling, and moving your body—hands and fingers flat on the ground, wrist pointing forward, shoulders away from the ears, head and neck relaxed, core/abs tucked and strong, hips high, knees bent if needed, heels on mat if possible—moving the body, one breath at a time while being completely body conscious of every movement is the added benefit brought to any other workout routine.
About how many times a week should you incorporate yoga into your routine if you’re also doing let’s say some type of cardio and strength workouts, too?
I would definitely encourage some kind of yoga stretches at the beginning and end of any routine. And at least 2-3 times a week of a yoga class to help strength the core and incorporate that body conscious mindset mentioned above.
What are 5 tips you can give someone who is new to working out and who would Iike to get into yoga?
- Find YOUR place—Every time you come to your mat, it is YOUR practice, the only person you are here for, is you.
- Connect—Connect your movement to your breath. I think this is the hardest part of any yoga practice, but also in life. Find your breath and the movement will flow.
- Listen—Listen to your body, not your ego. Sometimes it’s not the day for a certain pose, don’t force it.
- Feel—Feel your breath, feel your movement, and let it guide you through your flow.
- Practice—Everyday, it’s the only way to connect 1-.4.
Bonus 6. Yoga is not only found on your mat; the presence that yoga teaches you during your practice can be easily taken off the mat and into your daily life
If you want to follow Mera’s yoga journey or take up a class with her virtually or in person (in New Jersey), you can follow her on her website zenpowerflow.com. She also offers private classes, if you’re interested in learning more from her one-on-one. And, you can follow her on IG @allthingszen and at @zenpowerflow.
Mera says of early morning yoga classes, “It’s hard to get out of bed, but soooooo worth it!” She is also currently working on starting a YouTube channel…so stay tuned. And, follow her for more yoga inspiration and guidance.
