Getting Started
Now that you’ve learned about the benefits of yoga and how it can be a great addition to your fitness plan, you’re ready to attend your first class. A simple yoga routine can give you numerous health benefits, isn’t hard to learn, and will amaze you with the changes that it can help you experience. To help you get started, we’ve outlined some of the basic principles of attending a yoga class.
Finding the Right Yoga Studio
Finding a yoga studio may take some time. It’s vital to find one that fits you. Try an introductory class at different studios until you find one where you feel comfortable. Ultimately, yoga is all about finding a spot to connect with yourself. If you don’t like the place where you practice yoga, you’re not going to get the added benefits from it.
Find a yoga class near you.
Things to Consider
Location:
Make sure the location you choose is close to home or on the way from work so you’ll be more likely to go.
Instructor:
He or she should make newcomers feel welcome, ask about injuries, and demonstrate correct form and some alternative poses.
Studio:
It should be clean, well-maintained, and welcoming.
Costs:
Classes should be reasonably priced and fit in your price range – approximately $12 to $15 per class.
Attending Class
Wear something comfortable and breathable; fitted shirts and leggings or lightweight pants are recommended so you can bend and move properly. Yoga is performed without shoes, and you can either leave your socks on or go barefoot. Most studios supply mats for yoga, but you can also choose to bring your own (a yoga mat is different from a basic gym mat.) Yoga is best performed on an empty stomach. If you must eat before class, make it a light meal that won’t weigh you down.
Yoga Etiquette
Be on time:
Nothing is more annoying than settling into a pose, only to be interrupted by a latecomer scrambling over someone to get set up. Try to be on time.
Don’t wear perfume or strong scents:
Some people are allergic to perfume or don’t like to be overpowered by a fragrance. Be courteous – avoid perfume and wear a fragrance-free deodorant or antiperspirant.
Turn off your cellphone:
Yoga requires concentration. No one wants to be interrupted by a vibrating phone, or even worse, a cutesy ring tone.
Be quiet:
If you attend the class with a friend, leave the conversation for after class. People don’t want to be disturbed by voices.
Be aware of those around you:
Your class may be crowded, but pay attention to those around you so you don’t tip over onto your neighbor’s mat if you lose your balance during Tree Pose.
Start practicing today.
As when starting any new exercise program, it’s important to begin slowly and listen to your body. When you feel you can’t do any more, take a break and don’t push any further. Yoga should be an enjoyable activity. Remember: It won’t go perfectly on your first try. Just like learning to ride a bike, yoga takes practice. The more you do it, the better you’ll get and the more you’ll get out of it.
