Shockingly, even though I blog about crunchy topics like organic clothing and upcycling and I own approximately 1,278 pairs of yoga pants, I do not do yoga. Or at least I didn’t, until I got a month-long ClassPass membership that gave me access to different fitness classes around the city. I decided I should take the opportunity to try a yoga class, so with a borrowed yoga mat in tow, I showed up at Heat Yoga studio. The class I tried was actually a very calm, non-heated class. I wanted to start slow.
The poses were pretty easy and didn’t require intense stretching or crazy flexibility. Sometimes I got confused about when I was supposed to exhale and when I was supposed to inhale. Who knew breathing could take so much concentration? I left my first yoga class experience feeling relaxed, energized and ready to sign up for another class.
Here’s what I learned about what to know before your first yoga class experience.
10 tips for your first yoga class experience
1. Bring water! It’s important to hydrate after any workout, including yoga. My glass water bottle goes with me basically everywhere, so that’s what I brought my 16 oz. of water in. Most studios will have places to fill your bottle up, too.
2. Introduce yourself to the instructor so he or she knows it’s your first class.
3. Don’t be afraid to join the front row. You’ll be able to see and hear better, and there’s no rule that newbies have to hang out at the back of the room!
4. Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone is at a different place in their fitness journey. Focus on you! I guarantee that everyone in the class is there to snag an hour out of their busy schedule for themselves and is not there to judge anyone else.
5. Be prepared to learn a new language. Savasana and Prana were two words used a lot in the class I took. The instructor should explain new words, so don’t panic that you don’t speak yoga (or Sanskrit, more accurately).
6. What to wear? I wore cropped yoga pants and a racerback tank top. Wear something that you won’t have to think or worry about, so you can concentrate on the poses. There’s no need to buy a cute new yoga outfit unless you really want to. The class I attended was all women of varying ages, the lights were dim, and absolutely no one cared what anyone else was wearing.
7. Other things to bring with you might include a yoga mat and a towel. Check with the studio to see what they provide and what you should bring with you to class.
8. Be prepared to leave your boots or shoes outside the classroom. Yoga is practiced barefoot.
9. Turn off your cell phone, or better yet leave it outside the room in a locker. Yoga is a quiet time for focus, concentration and quietude. It feels amazing to unplug from distractions for an hour. You won’t miss your phone, trust me.
10. No matter how you think it went, congratulate yourself for trying something new. It isn’t always easy to find the time and motivation to add something into your schedule. It’s an accomplishment!I know for a fact that many readers are way more experienced with yoga than I am, so what is your best advice for newbies?
Namaste!