Balance is often overlooked by new yogis, who tend to focus on flexibility or weight loss. Yet yoga is great for building strength, aiding weight loss, and calming the mind — and it also improves balance in ways many other workouts don’t.
Balance poses demand focus. You need to find your center of gravity and hold alignment; if your mind wanders, you tip over. That focus keeps you in the present and can bring a calm you might not get elsewhere. Falling out of a pose can feel frustrating at first and bruise the ego, but finally holding a pose feels empowering — a small win over body and mind that can carry into other goals, like sticking with a weight-loss plan.
YouTube offers plenty of free balance-focused yoga classes you can try at home. Here are five beginner-friendly options to get you started:
– Adrienne: Warm and encouraging, Adrienne’s videos guide you into balance poses gently and without pressure. She offers different levels of difficulty, helps you laugh off the awkward moments, and has a popular 30-day beginner challenge that many people use to build a practice.
– Melissa Krieger: A slow, soothing practice with calming music and clear alignment tips. It includes standing balance poses and suggests using props like blocks or a chair. Don’t be fooled by the gentle tone — you’ll get a solid challenge and good guidance on finding your center.
– Mind Body Soul (AJ): Part of a beginner series, this session brings variety and humor. AJ gives practical tips for balance and shows poses from multiple angles, so you can see how alignment looks from the front and side. Her down-to-earth style makes it easy to relate to the learning process.
– Brett Larkin: Focused on technique, this class blends flow with frequent stops to teach balance strategies at beginner and more advanced levels. The instructions are clear and helpful for building a deeper understanding of positioning, though the pace is brisk — consider watching once first, then try along.
– Lisa Moore: A gentle, approachable teacher who explains the basics of balance — from fixing your gaze to which muscles to engage. She even breaks down crow pose in a way that makes it feel achievable with practice.
If you want a structured way to start a regular practice, consider a beginner program that combines clear instructions, modifications, and a short workout plan. Look for options that include guidance for weight loss, flexibility, pain relief, and a basic meditation guide to reduce stress. A six-week beginner plan can be a helpful, manageable way to build momentum.
Remember: the hardest part of yoga is showing up. Do your best today — you deserve it.
