When you're fresh to yoga, you're likely to possess tons of questions on what you're stepping into, including what to wear, what to bring back class, and the way to organize yourself. Knowing what's expected and what works before time will assist you to feel easier during your first-class. Here's what you ought to know before your first flow.

Video vs. Studio

Generally speaking, if you're new yoga it is best to go to a studio for in-person instruction as you start together with your practice. Instructors can provide personalized feedback on form, and that they offer modification suggestions for various poses that simply aren't possible to urge through most online or video-based platforms. Of course, studio classes are costlier, typically costing $20 to $30 per session, but when you're just starting, it is a worthwhile expense.

That said, if you do not have a yoga studio near you, if class times don't work together with your schedule, or if getting to a studio is otherwise preventing you from getting started, video-based classes are a wonderfully acceptable solution. the most thing to recollect is to hunt out videos created by documented yoga instructors that are geared to beginners. you would like the instruction to be clear, methodical, and safe, with many verbal cues for modifications.

Online streaming services, like YogaGlo, Grokker, and YogaDownload all provide high-quality options if you opt to use video content instead of in-person instruction.

What to Wear

While it's going to appear to be you would like to urge adorned in designer yoga gear before you head to class, that couldn't be farther from the reality. For your first few classes, wear items you have already got available, and keep things as simple as possible. Here are a couple of tips:


  • Shoes: Yoga is most frequently done barefoot. you'll occasionally see people with some quite sock or shoe, but that's often thanks to an injury or medical condition. If you are feeling completely uncomfortable beginning your shoes ahead of strangers, compromise by wearing yoga socks. These special socks have non-slip grips on rock bottom that "grab" the mat and stop your feet from slipping around.
  • Pants: There are many various sorts of yoga pants, but you do not need to run out and buy a special pair before your very first-class. Any comfortable exercise pants or shorts will do, just confirm you avoid pants that do not stretch, like jeans.
  •  After a couple of classes, you'll decide you would like pants that are shorter, longer, looser, higher waisted, or not falling whenever you stretch up. That's an honest time to travel shopping. you'll stick with big box stores like Target or Walmart, both of which have athletic apparel lines, otherwise, you can hunt down specialty retailers geared specifically to the yoga market.
  • Tops: A shirt that's a touch bit fitted works best for yoga. Big baggy t-shirts, or maybe loose-fitting workout shirts, aren't great since they'll slump whenever you bend over...and you are going to be doing tons of bending over. Sleeveless tops are popular since they permit freedom of movement within the arms and shoulders. Wear whatever quite bra you favor for exercising.
  • Hot Yoga: If you are going to try to hot yoga or Bikram, there are some special considerations. Because classes are held during a hot room, cotton apparel and long tops or pants aren't ideal, as they trap sweat and hold your heat on the brink of your body. it is a good idea to wear shorts and moisture-wicking apparel to facilitate the practice. See our recommendations for decent yoga wear for more detailed expert advice.


What to Bring

Generally speaking, the sole thing you would like to bring with you for your first-class may be a positive attitude and an open mind. Of course, there are many fun accessories you'll increase your yoga arsenal over time, but start small and keep things simple.


  • Mat: If you're headed to your very first-class, don't be concerned about bringing a mat if you do not have one. Most yoga venues rent mats for a dollar or two. As you retain getting to class, or if you're practicing reception, you are going to require to take a position in your mat. While you'll be tempted to shop for a low-cost mat from your local retailer, if you're truly committed to your yoga practice, it's worthwhile to take a position during a high-quality mat.
  • A supportive, well-made mat that gives good traction and long-term durability makes all the difference. While there are many options on the market, retailers like Manduka, Liforme, and Yellow Willow all are well-known brands with an honest diary of quality and repair. For a top-quality mat, expect to pay between $60 to $120.
  • Water bottle: If you're getting too hot yoga, confirm you bring water with you. For other sorts of yoga, you'll wait until after class to urge a drink.
  • Towel: If you tend to sweat tons, or you're trying out hot yoga, bring a face towel with you to class.
  • Props: Unless you will be practicing exclusively reception, it isn't necessary to possess your props. Studios provide blocks, blankets, and straps. Your teacher will tell you which of the props are needed for every class, but if she doesn't, grab a block and a strap anyway, just just in case you would like an assist to urge into a pose.


How to Prepare

The beauty of yoga is that it requires little or no aside from your own body. Preparation is straightforward, but if you're new, it is often an honest idea to urge to class a touch early to assist acclimate yourself to the environment and introduce yourself to the trainer. Here are a couple of other tips to stay in mind:


  • Familiarize Yourself With Beginner-Friendly Poses: All the various poses can feel overwhelming the primary time you are doing yoga. Luckily, with the assistance of the web, it is easy to research common poses so they'll seem semi-familiar the primary time you hear the trainer cue them. you do not get to practice the poses beforehand, but read through their names and appearance at their pictures to urge a thought of what you will be asking your body to try to to.
  • Avoid Heavy Meals before Class: Don't eat an important meal right before you are doing yoga. once you start moving, everything gets churned up and you'll start to feel sick if your stomach is just too full. you'll have a light-weight snack an hour or two before class.
  • Touch Base With the Instructor: If you're completely new yoga, do let the trainer know before class starts. the trainer will then know to stay an eye fixed on you throughout the class and to supply additional cueing for poses as required.
  • It's also important to let your instructor know if you've got any injuries or are pregnant, and the way you are feeling about receiving hands-on corrections. All of this information gives the trainer the chance to form your first-class as comfortable and accessible as possible.
  • Get Warmed Up if You're Early: While there is no got to warm abreast of your own before your yoga class starts (warm-ups are incorporated into every practice), if you happen to be early to class, try these warm-up poses. They'll prepare you for sophistication and cause you to appear as if you recognize what you're doing. you'll also just lie on your back or sit cross-legged on your mat.


Practice Tips

There's no better thanks to learn than by doing, but a primary practice can desire tons. You're learning new physical postures, you're hearing new terminology, and you're immersed during a new environment. the foremost important thing to recollect is to stay breathing and stay focused on yourself instead of those around you. Everything will become easier with time, so do your best and keep the following pointers in mind:


  • Alignment: Whether you're during a yoga class or employing a DVD, keep an in-depth eye on the instructor's alignment. Alignment refers to the precise way the body lines up in each posture. Good alignment is extremely important to maximize each pose's benefits and minimize the prospect of injury.
  • Look and Listen: When you're first learning the poses, it's okay to glance around the room to ascertain what everyone else is doing, but look to the teacher for your primary instruction. Also, listen for verbal cues as she describes the way to do each pose. There are some adjustments you'll not be ready to visually differentiate, but by listening and making micro-adjustments to your body, the alignment and advantage of the pose can improve significantly.
  • Stay Positive: do not feel bad if the teacher corrects your postures. Hands-on instruction is often incredibly helpful for learning propriety. Try to not judge yourself harshly as compared to what others do on their mats. Yoga may be a personal practice, and everyone's abilities and goals are different. Stay light-hearted and keep your sense of humor. Laugh if you fall out of a pose, smile when things get difficult. Enjoy yourself.
  • Trust Your Judgement: Remember that your practice is personal. nobody else is inside your body, so defer to your judgment about what you'll and can't do. Over time, you'll learn to discern the difference between something you'll be scared of or think you cannot do and something that's actually painful or possibly dangerous for you.
  • There is no hurry to urge into any particular pose. hear your body and respect what it tells you about the way to practice.
  • Ask Questions: Perhaps the foremost important tip is to always ask questions once you don't understand something. If it's about yoga culture, experienced students are nearly always happy to share their expertise. questions on specific physical postures are best directed toward your teacher, either during or after class.


Class Etiquette

Common sense and customary courtesy are the cornerstones of excellent etiquette in any situation. Add during a healthy dose of respect for the people and places around you and a smidge of kindness which about covers it. But if you’re nervous about starting yoga, there are a couple of etiquette considerations that are specific to yoga classes and studios.


  • Silence Your Cell Phone: Make a habit of doing this as soon as you get to class. you will be embarrassed if your phone rings during class, and it is a major distraction for the trainer and other students. If you forget and your telephone rings, own up thereto and switch the ringer off immediately. Never answer the phone or send texts during class.
  • Arrive on Time: reach least 10 minutes before the category is scheduled to start so you've got time to see in, put down your mat, and attend the toilet if necessary. If you are doing arrive late, don't enter a category quite 10 minutes after it's started. await subsequent class or another day.
  • Respect Others' Mat Space: once we asked yoga students what their biggest pet peeves were, "people stepping on my mat" was the highest answer. Yes, it looks like a little issue, and sometimes it's difficult during a crowded room, but do your best to avoid stepping on other students' mats as you create your way through the space.
  • Also, if you attend a usually crowded category, place your mat fairly on the brink of the person next to you so that there's enough space for everybody. Always be willing to maneuver your mat to form room for an additional student.
  • Respect the Teacher: once you enter a yoga class, you check in to respect the teacher for the subsequent hour approximately. you'll discover halfway through the category that you simply don't look after this teacher, playlist, or sort of yoga, but you ought to continue with the category, follow the teacher's instructions, take your savasana, and learn from the experience. Walking out mid-class is never considered okay.
  • Go to the toilet During Resting Poses: It's fine to travel away class for a couple of minutes to go to the toilet. there is no got to ask the teacher's permission. the simplest time to travel is when there is a period of rest, either in a child's pose or downward dog. Just avoid dodging out during difficult poses or skipping a part of savasana.
  • Don't Skip Savasana: Your final relaxation in savasana is a crucial a part of your practice. Don't leave class early. If you want to, tell the teacher before the class' start and take a brief savasana before you go. Just don't make a habit of this.