How to Start Vinyasa Yoga for Beginners | Yoga with Lenka

…And Find Your Strength, Your Breath, and Maybe Even Your Tribe

I was 18 years old when I stepped into my first yoga class.

Twenty years ago.

It wasn’t something I was particularly drawn to—quite the opposite. I used to think yoga was painfully boring. Slow. Still. Too quiet. Too… weird.

My mum had tried to get me into it. She had one of those old-school yoga books from the ’80s, with black-and-white photos of someone doing warrior pose in a leotard. She even had VHS tapes she recorded off Women’s Health Live. But I just couldn’t get into it. I was all fire back then. I wanted rhythm, power, and expression.

I danced salsa and Latin styles. Dance was my outlet, my language, my freedom.

And then came Lucia.

Lucia was my dance teacher and a friend who changed the trajectory of my life in more ways than one. She introduced me to a whole new world—mystics, energy healers, mediums. Once, she even took me t

o a psychic who told me I’d marry overseas. And here I am, in the UK, married to my soulmate, living that very prophecy.

But one of the most unexpected things Lucia gave me… was yoga.

I remember walking into that first class with zero expectations. A bit of resistance, even. I mean, really—how could stretching and sitting in silence possibly light me up?

But when I walked in, music was playing. Soft, soulful, tribal beats. The air smelled of incense, earthy and grounding, and the room felt… sacred. Warm. Like a temple but with laughter. People chatting, smiling, rolling out their mats.

Within the first five minutes, we were on all fours, sticking our tongues out, doing lion’s breath. Giggling like silly billies. My inner dancer was intrigued.

Wait… you mean yoga can be fun?

This wasn’t the rigid, silent, serious yoga from the black-and-white books. This was alive. This was Vinyasa. This was breath meeting movement, body meeting soul, chaos meeting stillness—and making art out of it.

That day changed everything.

What is Vinyasa Yoga Anyway?

Let’s start with the basics.

Vinyasa means “to place in a special way.” In yoga, it refers to a flowing sequence of postures linked together with the breath. Unlike Hatha yoga, which holds each posture longer and focuses on static alignment, Vinyasa is more dynamic, more fluid. It’s often described as a moving meditation.

Every inhale and exhale guides your movement. You become present. Alive. Anchored in your body.

It’s strong. It’s sweaty. It’s soulful.

It can be slow or fast. It can be powerful or gentle. And it can be whatever you need that day—because every Vinyasa class is different, and that’s what makes it so magical.

Why I Believe Vinyasa is Perfect for Beginners

Now I know that Vinyasa might seem intimidating at first. Fast transitions, lots of poses, and all the chaturangas (don’t worry, we’ll talk about that later). But the truth is:

Vinyasa is for everyone. And beginners are especially welcome.

I’ve taught thousands of students over the years—some who had never stepped on a mat before. And Vinyasa has this beautiful way of meeting you where you are. You don’t need to be flexible. You don’t need to know what a downward dog is. You just need an open heart and a bit of curiosity.

The rest? We’ll guide you through it.

Yoga with Lenka: Where You Come for Yoga… and Find So Much More

At Yoga with Lenka, we don’t just teach yoga. We live it. We feel it. And we share it—in the most real, raw, and welcoming way.

When you step into one of our classes, you’re not just coming for movement.

You’re stepping into a circle of women who get it. A space where you can drop the mask, breathe deeply, move your body, cry if you need to, laugh when it bubbles up, and reconnect to the part of you that maybe got lost somewhere along the way.

You’ll find sisters. Friends. Soulmates. A tribe.

People often tell me they came for the yoga, but they stayed for the community. For the feeling of home. For the permission to be fully themselves.

And if that’s what you’re craving? I’ve got you.

My Top 5 Tips for Absolute Beginners Thinking About Coming to a Vinyasa Yoga Class

If you’ve been toying with the idea of trying Vinyasa yoga but don’t know where to start, here’s my best advice from two decades of experience:

1. Ditch the “I’m Not Flexible” Excuse

You don’t need to be flexible to do yoga. You do yoga to become more flexible—in your body and in your mind.

You might not be able to touch your toes. You might wobble in tree pose. That’s normal. That’s human. Every single person in that room started exactly where you are.

Come as you are. You’re more than enough.

2. Find a Teacher You Click With

Not all yoga teachers are the same. And not all classes will vibe with you. That’s okay.

If you come to Yoga with Lenka, you’ll meet a team of five incredible teachers—each with their own unique magic. Some classes are fiery and empowering. Some are slow and soul-soothing. Some mix laughter with sweat, flow with stillness.

Try a few different sessions and find the one that speaks to your soul.

3. Start with a Beginner-Friendly Class

Look for Vinyasa classes that welcome beginners. Our schedule at Yoga with Lenka includes classes that are perfect for first-timers—we break things down, move a little slower, and always offer modifications.

You’ll never feel lost. You’ll always be supported.

4. Breathe. Honestly, That’s Half the Practice.

One of the most powerful parts of Vinyasa yoga is the breath. We move with it. We anchor into it. We return to it—again and again.

When you feel lost in the poses or unsure of what to do, just breathe. Inhale. Exhale. That alone will reconnect you to the practice. That alone is enough.

5. Be Willing to Feel a Bit Silly—and Keep Going Anyway

Remember that lion’s breath I mentioned? Sticking your tongue out and roaring like a wild creature?

Yeah, that felt ridiculous at first. But it also cracked something open in me. It helped me let go of needing to look good or do it right. It gave me permission to just be—weird, wild, wonderful.

Yoga asks you to meet yourself. And sometimes, that looks like falling out of a pose, laughing, and trying again.

What to Expect in Your First Vinyasa Yoga Class

Let’s make this super practical. Here’s what you might experience when you walk into a beginner-friendly Vinyasa class at Yoga with Lenka:

✔ A warm, welcoming space – Think candles, music, maybe even a little cacao.

✔ A friendly teacher who checks in with you – We’ll always ask if you’re new and give you extra support.

✔ A mix of movement and stillness – Flowing sequences (like sun salutations) followed by stretches or grounding poses.

✔ Breath cues – We’ll guide you when to inhale, exhale, and how to link breath to movement.

✔ Modifications for every body – You’ll be shown how to adapt each pose to your level.

✔ A final relaxation – Yep, you get to lie down and rest at the end. (Trust me, it’s everyone’s favourite part!)

A Note to the Ones Who Are Nervous

If you’re scared to try… I see you.

Maybe your inner critic is loud right now. Telling you you’re not fit enough. Not young enough. Not bendy enough.

I want you to know this: You are more than enough.

We’ve had women come through our doors who hadn’t moved their bodies in years. Women healing from heartbreak. Women burned out by motherhood. Women recovering from illness. Women who had never even touched a yoga mat before.

And they all found something they didn’t expect: Themselves.

Your mat doesn’t judge you. It holds you. And so do we.

Why We Move

We move to remember.

To feel alive again. To get out of our heads and into our bodies. To feel the beat of our own hearts, the rise of our own breath, the truth of our own strength.

We move because life is chaotic, and yoga helps us centre.

We move because stillness is beautiful—but so is the fire.

We move because this world is heavy, and Vinyasa gives us wings.

Final Thoughts: See You on Your Mat

So here’s your invitation.

Come to a class. Take a breath. Move your body. Laugh when you wobble. Cry if you need to. Let it be messy and imperfect and utterly beautiful.

You don’t need to be a “yoga person.” You just need to be you.

And if you’re looking for a place to belong? To grow? To be held?

Ready to try your first class? Come to Yoga with Lenka. You’ll find your flow. You’ll find your fire. And you just might find your tribe. 

See you on the mat, loves.  Lenka x

🔍 Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Vinyasa yoga suitable for beginners? Yes! Vinyasa can be adapted to suit any level. At Yoga with Lenka, we guide you every step of the way.

Q: What should I bring to my first Vinyasa yoga class? Wear something comfy, bring a mat if you have one, and most importantly—bring an open heart.

Q: How often should beginners do Vinyasa yoga? Even one class a week can help you build strength, flexibility, and inner calm.