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As a fitness enthusiast, I often find myself wanting to take up a new sport or try a new workout. However, in order to do so, I have to start at the beginning. Right now is also another beginning, the start of my weekly blog post as part of the MP4 team. Thus, I find it only fitting to blog about the beginning.

Have you ever been enticed by some new workout, exercise class, sport or competition, only to realize the you have been intrigued watching the advanced practitioner with 10+ years of experience? Then, to top it off, you go and try this new activity, to not only be humbled beyond belief, but to fail miserably? If so, I bet you attempted level 10 before learning, practicing and mastering levels 1 through 9.

Amongst the many sports I have enjoyed, I have been practicing yoga for 9 years. In the past 9 years I have spent time practicing at least 5 different styles, worked with a myriad of amazing teachers, and continue to learn more in every practice. I can honestly say I am comfortable walking into any yoga class out there, beginner to advanced. But it was not always this way.

As you get to know me, it will become quite clear I like to walk into any situation armed with information. It was no different when I was 20 years old and wanted to start practicing yoga. I found a studio nearby that offered an 8 week beginner yoga class. The class met twice per week and unlike most studios, it was a closed class that required preregistration. (although any beginner class would have suited my needs).

These 16 classes were arguably the most important classes I ever took because they gave me the foundation I needed to become a great practitioner. However, I must be honest, it was a slow beginning. I was young, wanted a workout, and wanted to do those crazy pretzel poses I considered “yoga”.

Come on, let’s be honest, if you are a fitness enthusiast, you are searching for the next obstacle to face, the next grueling workout to make you feel alive, yet that beginner class just isn’t cutting it. Either you are more advanced than the class and pick things up faster than the pace, or the activity is so complex and you are frustrated because you can’t pick it up.

Either way, you are frustrated and contemplating moving on to another activity. Hold it right there because I could have done the very same thing with yoga and I am so thankful I did not. As I mentioned, I was taking a class that met twice/week. Instead of re-writing my entire training regime I kept everything the same (or as much as possible) and added in the yoga classes. (Now I will say, in my next blog post when I write about agility/speed/power training, I had to change up my training as I already knew how demanding my new training would be).

In keeping my entire schedule the same, I was not frustrated that yoga might not give me the same training effect I got from another type of workout. I also looked at yoga as a new exciting event in my schedule, not the workout I needed to get in. In doing this, I also made a mental note that I was increasing my activity level by adding in two classes/week, so if one or two training sessions fell by the wayside, I would not be upset. By proceeding in this manner, it took all the pressure and expectations out of the equation.

I quickly learned that yoga made a great supplement to my training and was, in and of itself, a great workout. By the end of my 8 weeks, I had a grasp of the practice and was ready to move on to more advanced classes. Better yet, I gave myself time to figure out that I really enjoyed it. Not to say everything I’ve started from the beginning I’ve loved, but by doing so, I found out and gave the sport a fair chanced.

Everything fell into place because I started at the beginning and I urge everyone out there who wants to try something new to do the same. Find something new you want to try, search for an introduction or beginners class. Fit it into your schedule, and try it out with an open mind. Start at the beginning.

What are you going to challenge yourself with? I’d love to hear all your stories as to how you took up your current fitness passion or your plan of attack to start a new fitness endeavor.