My name is Debbie Lash, I am a LA trained yoga teacher and certified health coach. I’m passionate about helping people take control of their health and happiness in order to live their best life.

Reflecting back to my first yoga class, which was over 23 years ago now, I wish someone had told me to start with a beginner’s class.  Not because I was unfit, but when you’re new to yoga, the poses are hard enough to master, but add in complicated Sanskrit terminology and all the queuing etc. it can be overwhelming and you spend your time looking around the room to make sure you don’t look stupid. To be honest even when I did know what I was doing, I still wasn’t exactly sure if I was doing it right?

For some reason, maybe it down to marketing, but people tend to have this preconceived notion that you need to be young, fit, flexible and healthy to do yoga, but that excludes a huge amount of the population and the fact of the matter is that yoga is for everyone.

It doesn’t matter how old you are, how much you weigh, what you do for a living, where you live, or what religion you are. You can start at anytime, any place, all you need is a mat and to be willing.  I have taught beginners’ from 8 to 80 years old and it brings me so much joy to introduce people to the practice.  I have witnessed people from all walks of life challenge their bodies and break through their negative thoughts to become both flexible and strong.

When I was living in LA I used to teach a group of men who were HIV positive, and one of them was blind.  Can you imagine how hard it is to learn yoga when you can’t see the instructor’s demonstrations?  So think of this man when you are listing all the reasons as to why you can’t do yoga.

In fact, a lot of people start yoga because they are injured; such as back pain, recovering from cancer, dealing with addiction or suffering from relationship trauma/abuse to name just a few.  Some say all suffering is similar, as it wears on our consciousness in the same way. Step into any yoga studio around the world and you’ll most likely find many people in the room who came to yoga because they needed to heal.

I think the hardest part of starting a yoga practice, is actually carving out the time for yourself.  You will often hear me say in my classes that the hardest part of today’s class is walking through the door and I mean it.  Look, we are all busy, but when people say they are too busy, well then to me that boils down to what your priorities are. Everything is choice and I’m a big believer that one good decision leads to another.

There are so many amazing teachers around the globe and we are fortunate to have so many of them based here in Mallorca.  It’s definitely worth asking around locally who people recommend.  Yogis always love to share who their favourite teachers are.  Your first experience on your mat really does matters, because it will often determine whether you return again.

The more you practice and experience different teachers, you will quickly come to know what style you like and what teachers voice resonates with you.  Each teacher brings something different and unique to the practice and you will know immediately when you find your vibe.  And in turn your tribe!

I know it sounds extravagant but if you are in a position to pay for a private or share a semi private with a friend, it will help fast track you to having a much better experience when you first step into a studio.

I love this saying: ‘Yoga is not about touching your toes, it’s about what you learn on the way down’. Personally, I turned up for the physical practice and ended up staying for the mental awareness.

Here are 8 beginner poses to kick-start your journey.

Mountain Pose / Tadasana

Tree Pose / Vrikshasana

Cresent Pose / Anjaneyasana

Warrior 2 / Virabhadrasana II

Downward Facing Dog / Adho Mukha Svanasana

Plank Pose / Phalakasana

Upward Facing Dog / Urdhva Mukha Shvanasana

Childs Pose / Balasana

I have some beginner’s yoga classes on my YouTube Channel ‘Debbie Lash Yoga’.  If you have any questions or would like to contact me, you can via the following ways:

Website:  www.debbielash.com

Instagram @debbielashyoga

Facebook: debbielashyoga

Please come join one of my classes at Earth Yoga in Santa Catalina or Portals, I would love to meet you on your mat. You can find my schedule on my website or instagram above.

Namaste