Yoga: Tips For Surviving Your First Studio Class

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Yoga is a wonderful practice that supports, strengthens, relaxes, regenerates, and heals your body, mind, and spirit. Even if it may seem intimidating at first, because you have never done something like it, but trust me (I’m doing it for over 20 years), it’s the easiest thing to do. Yes, more accessible than running, working out at the gym, or lifting weights.

If you are shy or anxious about the first yoga class (“Am I going to have to cross my legs over the head? Will I have to walk on a bed of nails or fire?”) know that you won’t have to do crazy postures, and you won’t have to sit on nails or walk on fire.

To put your mind at rest and your heart at ease, here are several tips for surviving your first yoga class that I share from my own experience.

Top Ten Yoga Tips For Surviving Your First Workout

1. Research First Studios

Do your research to find the best yoga studio for you.

Going to a place where you know what to expect will help you let the anxiety at home and push you to go to yoga. And anyway, you don’t have to commit from the first time. Most yoga studios offer a free introductory class to try before signing up effectively.

Or ask in your circle of friends about a reliable yoga place.

Wherever you go, go with the idea that if you don’t like it, you will look for something else that fits you better. So, no worries, no stress. Just go.

2. Deep Breath and Relax

Yes, any yoga class starts at home. It’s no shame that you’re anxious about the first time. We all have been there.

So, do a mindful yoga trick: be aware of this emotion. Let it be. It’s yours, and it’s healthy, giving the circumstances (going to a new place to do a new thing). Be kind to you. Embrace it. Take it in, acknowledge that you have it, that it’s there, but don’t give in. Take a deep breath, relax, and go to the yoga class.

Once you get to do yoga, you’ll see that it will help you overcome anxiety and fears, and it will make you more courageous, more daring, more confident, and more self-controlled. Then, going to new places, to do new things will be like a breeze.

3. Get to the Yoga Studio Early

Arriving before the yoga class starts with 15 minutes or so allows you to:

  • Get accustomed to the new studio and people around
  • Have plenty of time to fill the registering forms out
  • Ask more questions about this yoga class and what you need to know
  • Find out more details
  • Get a tour of the studio and find essential things like where is the bathroom or locker room
  • Feel more comfortable in the new space
  • Relax before the class starts

4. Speak Up About Any Health Issues

Your yoga teacher needs to know any health issues, injuries, sensible spots you may have so she or he can be more attentive to you and tailor the yoga session according to your possibilities. He or she may do a yoga posture with everyone else while presenting you with a more accessible variant of it for you. Also, your yoga teacher will be able to give you advice on that particular health issue you have, show you yoga poses that heal or protect your body.

5. Might Be Touched by the Instructor

During a yoga class, the yoga teacher may come and adjust your body to the correct position or help you sit more comfortably in a particular pose. You will be touched, and that’s ok.

However, if you’re not ok with being touched, inform your teacher before the first class that you don’t like him or her to touch you. He or she may come to tell you what to do, but not make contact with your body.

6. Clothing to Wear to the Yoga Studio

Nothing special, just comfortable clothes, a top, cropped top or t-shirt, and leggings, made of cotton or breathable, moisture-wicking spandex, large or tight that lets you move freely, whatever you prefer and feel that is best for you.

If you’re a man, a t-shirt or top and shorts or long pants (made of cotton, hemp, wool, or other soft and natural material) are the best.

Don’t wear any perfumes, strongly scented creams, or body lotions. Think of others who might be sensitive to strong fragrances or have allergies.

7. Things to Bring to the Yoga Studio

  • A Yoga Mat

    First check with the yoga studio, maybe they offer mats there (if you don’t mind using other’s people’s mats and if you don’t want to carry yours from home), although it’s better to have your mat, you don’t need somebody else’s germs, skin sheds, or hairs on you). Don’t go for a cheap one, if you want to have it for a long time and to be able to do various yoga postures without slipping on it. Especially if you intend to continue doing yoga, a good mat is excellent to have.

  • A Towel

    Whether you attend a hot yoga class or not, a towel is useful, especially if you know that you sweat a lot.

  • A Small Blanket

    It’s useful either if you get cold in yoga poses like Shavasana (Corpse pose) when you have to lay back for a couple of minutes. Or you need some props to execute well and certain comfortable poses (under your buttocks, ankles, neck, or back).

  • A Small Bottle of Water

    You may get thirsty after or even during your yoga class. So it’s better to have it at hand. Otherwise, it may cost you if there is the possibility of buying from the studio directly.

8. Eat

Eat a large meal with 2-3 hours before a yoga class and a little healthy snack (juice, fruits, salad, nuts) with one before class. You don’t want any stomach rumbles in the silence of a yoga class full of people.

9. Use Yoga Studio Accessories

Blankets, pillows, bolsters, foam bricks, straps, and belts are there, in the yoga class for a reason: to be used. If you see them in the room, it means anyone can use them (ask first, if you want), so don’t get shy and grab some and stack them next to you, to come handy when needed.

Don’t take too many. Pick from foam bricks, a blanket, a strap, a bolster, or a pillow. You want to leave some for the other people, too, even if you arrived earlier. Be thoughtful and friendly.

10. Yoga Studio Etiquette

Before entering the yoga class, turn off your cell phone and de-activate your alarms. Don’t leave it on vibrations as it is also distracting and annoying. Yoga is a quiet practice, and it’s better not to disturb others.

Be polite and friendly to other people. Smile. Greet them when you enter and when you leave the class.

Wrap Up

With these yoga tips in mind, go with an open mind and heart. Be open and curious about what this new yoga class will teach you what you will learn and feel. Don’t judge, don’t a critic. Just be open. It can be a life-changer, you know?

[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h2″ question-0=”What should I bring to my first yoga studio class?” answer-0=”

  • A Yoga Mat – First check with the yoga studio, maybe they offer mats there (if you don’t mind using other’s people’s mats and if you don’t want to carry yours from home), although it’s better to have your mat, you don’t need somebody else’s germs, skin sheds, or hairs on you). Don’t go for a cheap one, if you want to have it for a long time and to be able to do various yoga postures without slipping on it. Especially if you intend to continue doing yoga, a good mat is excellent to have.
  • A Towel – Whether you attend a hot yoga class or not, a towel is useful, especially if you know that you sweat a lot.
  • A Small Blanket – It’s useful either if you get cold in yoga poses like Shavasana (Corpse pose) when you have to lay back for a couple of minutes. Or you need some props to execute well and certain comfortable poses (under your buttocks, ankles, neck, or back).
  • A Small Bottle of Water – You may get thirsty after or even during your yoga class. So it’s better to have it at hand. Otherwise, it may cost you if there is the possibility of buying from the studio directly.

” image-0=”” headline-1=”h2″ question-1=”Is there any special etiquette to have at the yoga studio?” answer-1=”Before entering the yoga class, turn off your cell phone and de-activate your alarms. Don’t leave it on vibrations as it is also distracting and annoying. Yoga is a quiet practice, and it’s better not to disturb others. Be polite and friendly to other people. Smile. Greet them when you enter and when you leave the class.

Before entering the yoga class, turn off your cell phone and de-activate your alarms. Don’t leave it on vibrations as it is also distracting and annoying. Yoga is a quiet practice, and it’s better not to disturb others. Be polite and friendly to other people. Smile. Greet them when you enter and when you leave the class.” image-1=”” headline-2=”h2″ question-2=”Can I eat before my yoga class?” answer-2=”Eat a large meal with 2-3 hours before a yoga class and a little healthy snack (juice, fruits, salad, nuts) with one before class. You don’t want any stomach rumbles in the silence of a yoga class full of people. ” image-2=”” count=”3″ html=”false” css_class=””]