Going to Your First Yoga Class

Probably you have heard or read that Yoga is good for your health, or your friend keeps talking about serenity and calmness he or she feels after a class, or you can’t help but notice that one of your colleagues looks fresh and always full of energy (and above it all has lost some extra kilos) after taking up Yoga, or you simply admire the posture of the girls walking in a Register Yoga School  next door.

For whatever reasons you decided to give it a try, you may be a bit nervous before the very first class because you don’t know what to expect. Most people imagine skinny men wearing loin cloth adopting postures so unnatural and complicated that even looking at it hurts. And you are wondering if it is what expected of you in a Yoga class.

Not at all! There are many Yoga postures (called asanas) that are very simple yet have great benefits for body and mind; some of them are even more effective than “advanced” ones. Today many Yoga schools run classes for beginners, so it’s a good idea to do a little research before choosing a school, a class and a teacher. A feedback from the students is the most trustworthy and valuable source information. Because even if you end up in a mixed-level group, a good teacher will help you to keep up with the program and show the variations of the postures you can easily do. Just let an instructor know you are new to Yoga before the class.

The first class is the most important class in your life. You will either fall in love with Yoga or won’t be able to think about it without shuddering. Of cause a teacher plays a great part but it is your attitude that will define it all. Yoga is not just about bending, twisting and stretching. First of all it is about you being present in each moment of the practice. Go to a class preparing yourself to discover new sensations in your body, to learn something interesting, to experience tranquility and peace. And remember, Yoga is not a destination but a beautiful journey, a sacred time you spend with yourself. So enjoy it! 

To feel more comfortable in the first Yoga class, there are some practical tips to prepare yourself:

1. Yoga asanas are to be performed on an empty stomach. So try not to eat 4 hours before the class. However if you have a low sugar level you can have a light snack 30 minutes before the start.

2. If you smoke try to have the last cigarette 30 minutes before the class.

3. Wear light comfortable clothes of natural materials but not too loose, so the teacher can see the position of your limbs to correct it if necessary. And besides, being tangled in your own T-shirt in not the best of experiences!

4. Some styles of Yoga are quite dynamic, so you may be sweating a lot. Bring a small towel or a pack of tissues.

5. As it was already mentioned, it is better to practice on empty stomach. But sometimes, especially if it is hot in a Yoga hall and you are sweating, you may need to keep yourself hydrated. So bring along a bottle of water. But take small sips and only when you feel you really need it.

6. Most Yoga schools provide Yoga mats and for the first class it may be enough. But if you decide to continue practicing it’s better to buy one of your own. It is more hygienic and you can choose the color or ever design that makes you feel good. New mats sometimes 

For more information and welling to join Yog Nisarga's upcoming Teacher Training Please visit here.