Let me introduce you to a new contributor, Lauren Padula. If you’re in San Diego and you’re the least bit active, you already know who she is. If you’re not familiar with her dynamic energy, oh-so-impressive athletic accomplishments, contagious energy and magnetic smile, you’re in for a real treat! Lauren is an all around amazing person, a true expert in her field and an amazing resource. She’ll be sharing articles that leverage her past athletic, academic and personal experiences that pertain to running, yoga and overall awesomeness. Enjoy!
By now, you’ve read the articles touting the benefits of yoga, you’ve seen the Instagram profiles with the superhuman yogis, and you’ve decided it’s time to give yoga a try. Congratulations! Like with most other health and wellness changes, making the commitment to improving is the first step! You’re now on your way to being a more flexible, more calm (yet energized), and stronger person. So now what? Here are five things you should know and/or do before you step on your mat for the first time:
1. Get a quality yoga mat.
It’s tempting to buy the $9.99 yoga mat at your local sporting goods store, but a quality mat will make a world of difference in your practice. Even in an unheated room you will probably break a sweat during class. A cheap mat will be slippery, and having unstable hands and feet makes doing yoga difficult. Invest in a quality mat and a yoga towel and lose the fear of the sweat (but not your grip).
2. Arrive 10-15 minutes early.
The yoga studio is a place of calm and quiet. You’ll want to arrive with plenty of time to pick out your spot (don’t be afraid to go for the back if you’re brand new, it’ll give you an opportunity to watch other yogis if you get lost), lay out your mat, and get comfortable before class starts. You don’t want to be rushing or flustered when you arrive and you definitely don’t want to be late. The late comer to class disrupts the entire vibe of the room.
3. Don’t wear shoes in the studio.
On a basic level, shoes carry the dirt and grime from the outdoors and you don’t want to track that into the studio. On a deeper level, one of the pillars of yoga philosophy is cleanliness or purity. Yoga is purifying for the mind, body, and soul, and removing your shoes before entering the studio is a ritual that is part of the purifying process.
4. Definitely don’t compare yourself to other yogis.
Each person in a yoga class has a different background, level of fitness, and level of experience with yoga. The goal is not to look like the person next to you (or the instructor) but to begin to feel the poses in your body, what feels good, what areas are tight, how your breathing feels, and where you have challenges. Be content with where you are at that moment. Turn your attention inward rather than focusing on the external. The mirror is there for you to be able to look at your alignment – not judge your body’s appearance.
5. Don’t base your entire yoga experience off of your first class.
Your first class will not be your best, you will improve, and you will feel better every time you step on the mat. Remember that yoga is a lifetime practice. The goal is not perfection of any one pose or series of poses, but the constant practice and improvement over time. If you really didn’t enjoy the class (which you might not), try a different style of yoga or a different teacher. There are many types and one is bound to fit your body and personality.
Most importantly, enter your yoga class with an open mind, enjoy the experience, and never skip savasana (your final resting posture, that’s where the magic happens).
Namaste – and enjoy!
10 Comments
Kate @ SoCal Runner Gal
This is such a good post and one every newbie should read. Yoga can be so intimidating if you’ve never taken a class before. I need to take one of Lauren’s classes ASAP.
Teresa
I do too! Let’s find one and make a date! xo
Misti
Loved this post, especially the “mat purchase” suggestion with a reason why it’s important to get a quality yoga mat. As a beginner it’s not something I would think about and would probably just grab the “cutest” option. Thanks for the info!
Teresa
Awesome — so glad you found this one helpful, Lauren is a gem 🙂
Liz @ The Clean Eating Couple
Wish I had had this guide before I took my first class! These are all such great tips – especially the mat one!
Teresa
Thanks Liz! I think so too, so happy to have such amazing contributors sharing their expert advice! So much more good stuff to come 🙂
Steve Howes
You invited me to attend your yoga session because you loved your teacher. So I went to the local class at the gym so I would know some of the vocabulary. I am still with that teacher. What a wonderful blessing these, I think, four years of practice have been. And I am still learning. Thank you, Teresa Marie Howes.
Teresa
Awe dad, you’re such a joy in my life. I love you!
marstaples
I cold really improve on #4…always comparing myself to others and it’s not the way to go!
Teresa
Right? Especially in yoga…there is always someone that you’re like “what part of perfection where they carved out of?” I actually don’t have mirrors in my yoga studio and I feel like that really helps keep the focus on your movement, but I also know that’s kind of hard to find.