10 Things Every New Yoga Student Should Know

10 Things Every New Yoga Student Should Know
Yoga is a practice that can take a lifetime to master so taking a class at your level is a good way to begin. (Courtesy of Randi Zinn)
4/10/2014
Updated:
1/20/2015

Relax, No One Is Watching. If you go to your first yoga class, rest assured, other students aren’t watching you!

Wear Comfortable Clothing. Despite the tempting yoga fashions out there, it doesn’t matter what yoga clothes you wear. In fact, the only thing that matters is that you can move naturally and feel comfortable in what you’re wearing.

Rent Your Mat. All yoga studios have extra mats that you can rent so you don’t even need to buy your own mat.

Take a Beginning Class. Many people dive into an open-level yoga class for their first time. I recommend taking a beginner or level 1 class. You owe it to yourself to learn the basics so you don’t injure yourself or get discouraged if the class seems too difficult at first.

Don’t Worry About Sanskrit. You may hear yoga poses referred to in another language called Sanskrit, an ancient language from India. Try not to be confused or discouraged when you’re not sure what the words mean. Over time, you will become familiar with the words. In the beginning, it’s perfectly fine to look around and see what people are doing when the teacher uses Sanskrit.

Try Different Styles. Try different styles of yoga. For every personality, there is a style of yoga to match. You may be surprised by what you actually like, so give yourself permission to try different studios and styles and see what makes you feel great.

Try Different Teachers. In the same vein, give yourself permission to try different teachers. You won’t love every yoga teacher. One may remind you of an annoying relative. Perhaps another may remind you of your childhood best friend. Some teachers are mellow, and others are more energetic.

When you finally find a teacher who works for you, you should feel grounded and secure in their presence as well as fueled by the practice they share with you. Feel free to try different teachers until you find that right fit.

Get to Know Your Teacher. Whatever the style, whoever the teacher, it’s a good idea to introduce yourself. Tell the teacher that you are new and inform him or her about any injuries or concerns you have. This allows the instructor to take better care of you during class.

Come for Any Reason. People come to yoga for all kinds of reasons—some for a tighter body, some for personal quiet time, some to find meaning in their lives. All are good reasons to show up.

Congratulate Yourself. Give yourself credit for trying something new! Yoga is a practice that can take a lifetime (or several lifetimes) to master and fully embrace. Give yourself a pat on the back for stepping onto the path!

Randi Zinn is the founder of Beyond Mom and randizinn.com. Born from her own experience of motherhood, and the desire for a more connected community- Beyond Mom offers: Mixers, Seminars, and Retreats for forward-thinking New York Moms. Randi encourages moms to cultivate a life “Beyond Mom”- one that embraces the gifts of motherhood but expresses all that we are as individuals: creators, businesswomen, thinkers, friends, and so much more.

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