Your First Yoga Class

Your First Yoga Class

  I was so afraid before my first yoga class.  Nerves took a hold because I truly didn't know what to expect, I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to do some of the poses, I was scared people would be watching me secretly giggling at my technique or lack of, I was just scared.  But, once I was 10 minutes into my first yoga class, I realized that all those fears were totally false, and I began to mellow out and enjoy yoga class!

  So what to expect?  First, find a beginners yoga class (if you are a beginner especially), even if you're not a beginner, and have not practiced in a while, a beginners class will brush you up on poses, technique etc.  My best advice for choosing a  yoga class is to ask around, word of mouth is a good way to find a good class and yoga instructor!  Do research on your computer about yoga studios in your area, find out if your gym offers yoga classes (they usually do).  

  If you have one, bring your own yoga mat, and make sure to clean your mat before you use it in your home again.  If you have yet to buy a yoga mat, most studios will supply you with one.  Using yoga mats supplied from a  yoga studio will actually help you figure out what mats you would prefer, and eventually buy (mats come with different thickness and treads and last many years, so they are investments).  Most yoga studios will also supply belts, and blocks so no need for you to buy or bring your own.

  It's helpful to do some online research on basic yoga poses.  This will help you understand what the instructor is saying when she says "lets lie in corpse pose", or "lets do a simple sun salutation".  Some common yoga poses are: down dog, fetal/child pose, corpse pose, warrior stance, chair pose, plank, cat/cow pose.   Here is a wonderful link with photos of the basic poses that you should take a look at before your class Love to know Common yoga poses.  

  Finally, if you're in class, and you find you just cannot do the pose your instructor wants you to do, it's totally okay to lie down into child pose until the next pose comes along.  Although it's a simple pose, it's a resting pose with many benefits, and is totally fine to do when you're feeling overwhelmed in class.  Here is a youtube video on how to get into child's pose this is the beginners version of child pose: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MATFkfTgJU

  Michelle.