How I started yoga and beginner’s tips

When I first arrived in Zurich, I was looking for ways to connect with people in a new city and attended my first yoga class with a running community. I stepped on the mat to improve my running and stretch tight muscles. I stayed for how it made me feel.

Fast forward ten years, yoga stayed and my marathon era left. If you had asked me back then, I would never have imagined that it would become so much more than a physical practice.

Rahel Zuber (2023)

Progress is personal

Like many beginners, I thought yoga was mostly about flexibility and strength, about holding poses “correctly” or seeing visible progress in my body. I’d go to yoga and be intimidated by the yogis in the room thinking more about what I can’t do than how it feels. Still, I kept going. Showing up, noticing subtle shifts in my energy. Soon enough, I would focus less on other mats and more on my own. Progress is personal and it’s measured by your willingness to return to the mat again and again. For your own reasons. Not by anyone else’s standard.

Tip: Focus on your own journey rather than comparing yourself to others. Small, regular steps matter more than instant results.

Yoga is more than asanas

Yoga stretches the body, but it also stretches your emotions and your mind. I was surprised by the tension, emotions, and memories that sometimes came up in poses I thought were “just physical”. When I’d say to my teacher “my body is stiff”, he’d reply “no, it’s your mind that is”. At first, it felt uncomfortable and even confusing, but that’s exactly where the practice teaches patience, self-compassion and awareness. Learning to notice, breathe, and stay present, even when it’s challenging, is what transforms yoga from exercise into a true practice.

Tip: Notice sensations and emotions without judgment, and breathe through them. Allow yoga to teach patience and self-compassion.

Consistency matters more than perfection

It’s easy to get caught up in wanting to look “perfect” in each posture or to feel calm and zen throughout the practice. In fact, none of that matters as much as simply returning to your mat. Consistency, more than perfection, is what deepens your practice. By showing up regularly, listening to your body, you create space for growth, balance, and insight both on and off the mat.

Tip: Even short daily sessions, or simply showing up to class, build a sustainable and meaningful practice.

Take yoga out of the shala

Yoga doesn’t end when you step off the mat. The real benefits appear when you carry awareness, patience and compassion into life; through movement, work, rest, and daily choices. When you integrate your practice beyond the studio, you start to notice subtle shifts in your relationships, your energy and your mindset, making the practice meaningful in every part of your life.

Tip: Integrate mini-practices off the mat, like conscious breathing when you are stressed, chewing slowly when you eat lunch at work or short meditations.

Connection makes a difference

A supportive teacher, a kind glance from a classmate, or a small, welcoming group can make a huge difference. The energy in a room, the feeling of shared presence and even subtle encouragement help you stay engaged, grounded and inspired, especially when you don’t feel like practicing at home.

Tip: Seek group classes and/or teachers where you feel safe and supported; connection makes practice richer and more inspiring.

👇 Ready to start your yoga journey with me (or return to the mat)?

Check out my beginner-friendly practices in Zurich or follow along with guided yin practices on YouTube.