by Beginning your yoga journey is exciting and intimidating at the same time; but with some quick preparation steps and actions taken beforehand you’ll feel prepared and more than prepared for your first class!
No matter if it be in-person yoga classes or online options, this article can help you feel relaxed and ready to experience all that they offer.
Select the Appropriate Beginner’s Class
Beginners to yoga must be cautious of which classes they attend. Many studios like Vikasa offer beginner yoga classes designed specifically to ease into practicing yoga from scratch. Such sessions cover basic postures, breathing practices and alignment techniques so as to build your practice from its infancy point onward.
If time constraints prevent you from attending in person, consider selecting top Yoga classes online through Vikasa’s Yoga Unlimited classes – they give enough flexibility so you can incorporate Yoga practice into your busy schedule from home!
How to Prepare For a Yoga Class
Make your first yoga experience less strenuous by being equipped with all the appropriate items – it will leave you more at ease on your first try! Here’s what’s needed:
Yoga Mat: Selecting an Ideal Mat For Comfort And Stability Many studios provide mats; however it may be wiser for you to purchase your own for hygiene and familiarization reasons.
HTML0 Comfortable Clothing refers to light clothes that are loose and flexible enough for ease of movement without restricting or tightening mobility. There should not be restrictive or tight fitting apparel in these items of clothing.
Hydration is key when participating in more intense classes like Vinyasa Yoga or Power Yoga, where breathing may play an integral part. Carry an adequate water Bottle along to remain properly hydrated throughout your practice!
Bring A Towel A vigorous yoga workout can leave your mat filthy; bring along a towel to keep things neat.
Open Mind Yoga is not about becoming perfect; rather it should focus on making progress and keeping an open mind without expectations or preconceptions.
Whenever in doubt about any aspect of a class, always inquire with its teacher prior to enrolling.
Arrive Early and Settle
Arriving early for your first yoga class gives you plenty of time to adjust and become acquainted with your surroundings, with both instructor and classmates giving assistance as needed. They should know if this is your first experience taking classes; so they may offer additional assistance or tailor the course appropriately if need be. Online participants should arrange their classroom to ensure an easeful experience.
Vikasa provides both private and group sessions. Choose between classes that emphasize group dynamics or those tailored specifically to you in private sessions for optimal experiences.
Concentrate on Your Breath
Breathing is at the core of yoga. It serves to unite mind and body connection. While at first you might feel nervous due to unfamiliarity of poses you’ll encounter during class, focus on breathing to get connected to yourself inside by inhaling and exhaling simultaneously while moving – this way your class should flow smoothly! Pay close attention when your teacher instructs you how to inhale and exhale while doing movements for optimal progress through class.
Deep breathing can help both relax and focus the mind. At first it may seem disorienting but with practice it will become smooth and natural to enhance your Yoga experience.
Practice Mindfulness
Yoga is as much about clarity of mind as physical movement. One effective way of mentally preparing for your first class of yoga may be meditation: engaging in daily mindfulness practice before, during, and after classes will enable you to fully immerse yourself into each experience and fully take part.
Journaling can provide an incredible opportunity for true reflection of your practices, such as yoga. We discussed its many advantages in our article about writing down thoughts after yoga class; recording them may allow for insight into lessons you’ve learnt on the mat and gain greater insights. It can also serve as an incredible habit-breaker and help newcomers keep track of both how far they have come along their yoga journey and also monitor personal development over time.
Listen to Your Body
Yoga is something unique to each of us; therefore, everyone’s approach varies accordingly. When beginning yoga practice, pay close attention to how your body responds and don’t overexert yourself too quickly if something seems difficult at first – don’t get frustrated by not mastering an exercise right away as that is completely normal; over time your agility, strength, and sense of balance will only become stronger!
Teachers often offer modifications for specific poses that you should implement when necessary. When feeling exhausted it may be beneficial to take a rest in Child’s Pose as this helps relieve tension. Keep in mind that yoga should never be seen as something competitive but instead an approach towards better wellness for yourself and those around you.
Be Open to the Experience
Yoga transcends fitness; it’s an integrative practice which connects mind, body and spirit. Before attending your first class, try entering with an open and accepting mind so you’re fully conscious of everything happening around you. Although at first it might prove challenging, in time yoga will become part of your everyday routine and become part of who you are as an individual.
Vikasa gives students an opportunity to discover various aspects of yoga. We provide yoga classes for groups in community settings as well as private lessons and retreats that expand students’ understanding.
Your First Step into Yoga
An introduction to yoga needn’t be intimidating! With an open mindset and motivation for improvement in mind, taking yoga class needn’t be daunting at all – you just need the appropriate attitude, tools, and desire for growth! No matter if attending local class or exploring online teachings like Vikasa Yoga’s effective classes online – either will be an opportunity for physical as well as mental wellbeing improvements!
Explore Vikasa’s yoga classes for beginners to begin your yoga practice and open yourself up to new possibilities that could change both body, mind and spirit.
Six Incredible Experiences From My Very First Yoga Class
Since I wanted to try yoga classes for some time now, but was initially intimidated about starting. My fears that I wouldn’t measure up were unfounded: in only one month since taking my inaugural yoga class I am fully convinced of its beneficial nature: relaxing while becoming more present with what’s happening right now has only enhanced this experience; plus I look forward to my first retreats as an added benefit of attending these sessions!
If this will be your first yoga experience, here is what to expect: I shared some of my experiences during my initial class – be sure to do the same when attending your own first session!
I was bathed by sweat!
Be ready, folks: Yoga can be an intense workout! My intention was never to sweat through 15 minutes of yoga – most people view yoga as a gentle practice but even slow flows could trigger sweat glands like any physical workout would.
It seems that simple poses can be backbreaking!
Yoga poses require significant concentration and proper breathing to keep in pose; although they may appear simple at first glance. Although your trainer might make yoga seem effortless to you, your body must work harder just keeping up with their pose for extended duration if it’s important for blood circulation and building endurance and strength. Even at first you might not achieve identical posture as everyone around you; that’s alright though as long as everyone makes you feel welcome! On my very first experience I wasn’t quite able to replicate exact poses; nevertheless the environment was welcoming enough so I didn’t feel excluded!
I could not even say the majority of postures I practiced! Duh!
Ardha navasana, Vasisthasana, Virabhadrasana and Sarvangasana…your yoga instructor may use Sanskrit words that might not be easy for you to comprehend; but, most teachers tend to utilize English terms that you will recognize over time.
At first, you’re made to feel like you’re eating a piece of cake. The trick is to make you feel like it’s cake!
Yoga begins with the word “om” being chanted; a process which amounts to nothing other than making noises! At both the start and finish of any yoga class will typically feature this practice of making noise. Chanting Om Om creates vibrations similar to all living organisms on Earth – truly inspiring! When chanted regularly it forms connections among all living things on our planet. While initially it might be hard for some individuals to grasp its concept; soon you’ll become adept in singing out its mantra with passion!
An optional gesture from teachers during or at the conclusion of lessons could include hearing them say ‘Namaste! ‘, an Indian greeting that means ‘I bow before you”. This gesture shows respect towards fellow students.
Physical contact is involved. Yes!
Adjustments that are hands-on are one of the best aspects of yoga practice. Your instructor helps adjust to correct poses with their assistance; receiving adjustments from them may assist in properly aligning and expanding poses more effectively and stabilizing body structures further. Although initially it can seem intimidating, getting adjustments will surely assist with correcting posture and pose!
Savasana is a very relaxing experience in fact!
Savasana refers to Corpse Pose. This restorative yoga pose is one of the most frequently practiced after classes; you simply lie seated comfortably on the ground without thoughts running through your mind – similar to sleeping, yet fun and pure! Savasana provides complete relaxation at the beginning and end of every yoga practice session. If possible, try to leave and get dressed before class starts in Savasana; although only taking 2-5 minutes overall to perform. Listen closely when your teacher explains about its significance to let your body unwind from exercise, and this pose can serve to calm both mind and body post practice session.
Initial plans included attending two yoga classes per week; however, I quickly became obsessed. Now practicing daily with my classmates at Yoga Garden of San Rafael in Toronto. Since doing yoga every day I am experiencing increased strength, flexibility and stress reduction resulting in better sleeping.
