New to yoga and not sure what to expect? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with some tips on how to prepare for your first yoga class!
Trying any new form of exercise is rather daunting, and yoga is no exception. I can understand why it can be intimidating — hell, I’ve been practising on and off for years and I still find going to a new studio a bit intimidating sometimes. The main thing that you need to remember is EVERYONE was a beginner at some point – yes even that uber flexible woman at the front who’s standing on her head. No one is going to judge — 99,9 per cent of the time people are far more concerned with their own practice than with what else is going on in the room.
Nevertheless, I always feel way more confident about a new situation if I head into it prepared, so this advice will hopefully help lessen a bit of that ‘newbie’ fear:
Research
Going to a studio that’s been recommended to you by a friend who practices regularly will not only guarantee that you’re in the hands of professionals but that you’re also going to a place that has a good vibe. I can highly recommend Urban Yoga in Business Bay, Dubai: everyone, from the receptionists to the teachers, is ultra-friendly, they have a great variety of classes, and the view from the main studio is incredible.
Dress the part
And by that, I don’t mean you need to go and get decked out in the nearest Lululemon. All you need are ultra-comfortable gym clothes. I recommend that they’re well fitted as opposed to loose, as in certain poses you may find your top creeping up!
Bring a water bottle
I, personally, tend to get a bit thirsty in class so it’s good to be able to take a swig or two of water.
Call ahead to make sure they have yoga mats
Most decent studios offer mats in their classes but it’s worthwhile checking with them first to make sure that they do!
Take a yoga fundamentals class
Each studio has its own way of ‘rating’ the difficulty of its classes, so discuss this with them before you attend. I strongly recommend trying a yoga fundamentals class in order to learn the basics. Alignment in the poses is so important but in a faster moving class you may not get the chance to learn this properly. Taking a fundamentals/basics class will set you up in order to attend the more challenging classes after.
Don’t eat anything straight before class
I try not to eat anything up to three hours before class and if I happen to be hungry, I’ll have something light like a banana or a piece of toast. Also, word to the wise: don’t eat onions at any point on a day that you’ll be heading to class, otherwise they’ll repeat on you!
Arrive early
Being rushed is never fun, especially before trying something new. When you first join a studio, you’ll be asked to fill out a waiver form, and you’ll probably also be given a tour of the facilities, so it’s best to get there 20 minutes early if possible. This allows you enough time to get settled.
Pick up some props
If the studio offers some props, take advantage of them! I recommend using two blocks and a strap.
Relax, listen to your teacher, let go of expectations and enjoy!
The most important thing to remember is that you need to listen carefully to the instructions that the teacher gives you. Some of the time, you may not be able to see what she/he is doing, so listening to their prompts should enable you to move through the poses. And yes, at the beginning some instructions that they give may not make much sense — don’t worry, the more you attend, the more it you’ll start to learn all of the terms!
Feeling a bit more confident about trying yoga? Just in case you need a bit more convincing, here’s a blog post I wrote on how yoga does wonders for my mental health.
