Transform your body

If you’ve ever wanted to try yoga but were too intimidated to attend a class, we have the solution.

Shape’s Beginner Yoga Series will take you through the basic asana (postures) used in most forms of yoga. When you start feeling comfortable with these postures, you should join a class or studio and try some more advanced postures.

What is yoga?

Yoga is a system of physical and mental practices that originated in India more than three thousand years ago. Yoga combines all activities – mental, verbal and physical. The physical part is explored through asana or postures or poses. There are a number of different postures; one website noted that there are “as many asana as there are stars”.

Yoga is also about controlling and being aware of your breath. And yes, if you attend a yoga class you will be expected to say “ohmmm…” – that’s the verbal bit.

Each posture or asana requires concentration and control. It’s been said that this deep concentration is what makes the practice so soothing and relaxing; it clears your mind of all your stresses and brings you into the moment.

The benefits of yoga

Yoga is believed to improve flexibility, strength and concentration. Because of the deep, mindful breathing that yoga involves, lung capacity often improves as well. Most forms of yoga emphasize deepening and lengthening your breath and this stimulates relaxation.

Yoga benefits chronic medical conditions, relieving symptoms of asthma, back pain, and arthritis.

Try it out

We have a range of yoga videos to help get you started.

	Breathing Here we demonstrate yogic breathing you’ll use throughout the yoga postures.
	Corpse Posture The most important yoga posture, the Corpse posture allows the body to release and relax.
	Spinal Twist The yoga spinal twist increases spinal flexibility, improving spinal fluid flow to the brain.
	Little bridge This yoga pose opens the shoulders and the heart center.
	Half Shoulder Stand This allows blood to flow into the neck and throat area and balances your metabolism.
	Half Headstand The half headstand yoga pose stimulates blood flow to the head.
	The Cobra The Cobra yoga pose strengthens the back and buttocks.