What I Wish I Knew – 10 Tips for Starting Yoga at Home

So, you’re thinking about trying yoga at home? Brilliant! When I first started, I had no idea where to begin. I wasn’t flexible, didn’t own a yoga mat, and thought I needed a huge space to practise. Turns out, none of that really mattered - I soon discovered yoga was the perfect partner to my busy lifestyle and I was soon hooked!

If you’re new to yoga and feeling a bit unsure, I’ve put together this article for you. Here are ten things I wish I’d known before starting my home yoga practice - so you can get going with confidence.

Oh, and if you want a little extra help, I offer a free first class so you can try out an online yoga class with no pressure. Click here to claim yours with the code WORKERBEENEWBEE!

1. Find Beginner-Friendly Online Yoga Classes

YouTube is full of yoga videos. Some are absolutely brilliant but not all of them are great for complete beginners. Many of the ones advertised as beginners often assume you already know what you're doing, which can be frustrating.

Instead I recommend looking for beginner-friendly yoga online classes that explain things clearly and move at a slower pace. Virtual yoga for beginners means you can practise from home, at your own speed, without feeling pressured.

The advantage of doing a class live rather than on-demand is that the teacher can also spot improvements for your technique. For example in my online classes I will watch and see how people get on in the positions, if you aren’t getting it quite right I will offer suggestions to help you find alignment (people like that I don’t tend to call out individuals I will usually make the suggestions to the whole group as often LOTS of people can benefit from the same tips!)

Start with simple moves and ideally find a beginner friendly online yoga class to make life easier for yourself!

2. You Don’t Need Fancy Equipment

You don’t need a yoga mat, blocks, or straps to get started. There are plenty of things you can substitute from around your house to have a brilliant yoga practice! A towel works fine instead of a mat, a thick book can replace a yoga block, and a dressing gown belt makes a great strap.

Of course, if you enjoy yoga I would recommend investing in proper equipment as it will take your practice to the next level. But for now, just use what you have and get cracking!

3. You Can Practise in a Small Space

You don’t need a big space to practice yoga at home - just space for your yoga mat!

Think you need a big, airy home studio? Despite what you see on YouTube / Instagram you do not need a lot of space for yogs! Yoga for small spaces is totally doable. A clear patch of floor—about the length of your body—is all you need.

If space is tight, try moving furniture or rolling out your mat in the bedroom. You’ll be surprised how little room yoga actually takes.

4. Choose the Right Style of Yoga

Not all yoga is the same, and some styles are far more beginner-friendly than others. If you're just starting out, Hatha yoga is a great choice. It’s slower-paced, focuses on basic movements, and is much more accessible than styles like Vinyasa or Flow, which can be more physically demanding.

When looking for online beginner yoga classes, check that they mention Hatha and specifically say they’re suitable for beginners. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.

In my classes I offer plenty of options and we go at a relatively slow pace, and although I do run beginner courses from time to time I’ve had many people successfully start yoga in my regular hatha yoga classes - the trick is to try not to worry about what you look like but about how the poses feel… choosing the options that feel best for your body.

5. Short Sessions Are Better Than None

It’s easy to think you need an hour-long practice for it to “count.” But honestly, 15-45 minutes can be plenty to start with.

Small, consistent effort beats one long session that leaves you sore and discouraged. Over time, you’ll naturally want to do more.

6. Virtual Yoga Helps You Stay Motivated

One of the hardest parts of practising at home is actually getting on the mat. It’s easy to put it off when no one’s waiting for you in a class.

Try following a set programme or joining an online community for accountability. At Worker Bee Yoga we have a lovely welcoming community of people who aren’t the typical yoga stereotype. My students say time and again that practicing live with others helps them stick to their practice.

Sign up for a free first class here with the code WORKERBEENEWBEE to kickstart your routine.

7. Listen to Your Body (and Take Breaks!)

Yoga is not about pushing through pain. If something feels wrong, stop. If a movement is too intense, adjust it. There’s no shame in taking breaks. Our energy levels go up and down across the month too so some days you naturally need more breaks than others.

Yoga unlike other sports and fitness is non-competitive, it’s really about you and what feels good for your unique body.

The best part of practising at home? You’re in charge. No one is watching, so go at your own pace and choose the options that feel best for you.

8. Don’t Forget to Breathe

Sounds obvious, right? But when you’re focusing on new movements, it’s easy to hold your breath without realising.

In my classes we always start with some grounding breathing, it’s a brilliant way to calm the mind and help you set up your yoga practice for success.

The main thing with the breath is to try and breathe lower down into your belly (most people tend to breathe up into the chest), and try to keep the breath slow and even. Keeping a steady breath makes yoga feel much easier.

Your teacher may guide you to breath in or out for specific movements. When you are a complete beginner don’t worry too much about this - put it this way I would always rather you just focus on breathing steadily without holding the breath than getting this right!

9. Your First Class Might Feel Hard – That’s Normal!

If your first yoga class feels challenging, don’t panic. Your body is adjusting to new movements, and it gets easier with time.

That said, sometimes it’s not just about your fitness level—it’s about finding the right teacher. Everyone connects differently with different teaching styles, which is one of the reasons why I offer a free first class so you can try it out and see if it’s a good fit. Claim yours here with the code WORKERBEENEWBEE!

10. Be Kind to Yourself

If you wobble, lose balance, or feel stiff, don’t get discouraged. Yoga isn’t about being “good” at it - it’s about feeling better in your body.

Try not to worry about what other people are doing or look like. I am naturally very inflexible so I know how difficult this is - especially when the yoga instructor or others in the class can bend like a pretzel and/or make the most complicated moves look easy!

Stick with it, and you’ll notice small improvements. One day, a movement that felt impossible will suddenly feel natural. That’s progress!

Ready to Get Started? Try a Free Beginner Class!

Starting yoga at home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Keep it simple, take your time, and most importantly—enjoy it.

To make things even easier, I’d like to offer you a free first yoga class. I recommend the Monday night Hatha yoga class - which is perfect if you’ve never done yoga before and want clear, easy-to-follow guidance.

Click here to claim yours with the code WORKERBEENEWBEE and start your yoga journey today!