Are You Ready For Your First Yoga Class? Here’s Our Step-By-Step Guide
May 24, 2024
What’s it like to join a yoga class for the first time? If that’s a question you’ve been asking yourself for a while, you’ve come to the right place. At Uptown Yoga, we pride ourselves on welcoming a community of diverse yogis of all backgrounds and abilities. This blog tells you everything you need to know before joining your first yoga class. We’ll also dispel a few myths and highlight great yoga poses for beginners.
Yoga is a Journey Rather Than a Destination
First things first, even the most proficient and dedicated yogis are still working on their practice. For many seasoned practitioners, this continuous development is part of the attraction to yoga. Most poses, also called asanas, have several variations that allow practitioners to develop their practice. That means, even if you’ve been practicing a pose for years, you can find a new expression.
You may have goals when you start your yoga practice, but they’re rarely a final result. What do we mean by that? Take handstands, for example. As a beginner, practicing handstands may seem hard, if not impossible, to achieve.
When you manage to hold that balance for the first time, you’ll certainly feel a sense of achievement. However, there are so many more things to explore. You may want to extend your time holding the pose for a few more breaths. Or you may be trying to find a different way of transitioning into your handstand.
Signing Up for Your First Yoga Class with Uptown Yoga
Signing up for your first class with our experienced instructors is easy, and we’ve even created a series of frequently asked questions for you. Plus, there’s a new student offer just for you.
Are you wondering which class to select? All Levels classes and Beginner classes at Uptown Yoga are both excellent choices for your first class. Don’t be afraid to let your instructor know that you’re new here. They’ll make sure that you’re comfortable.
There’s no need to splash out on dedicated yoga gear just yet. Make sure you wear something comfortable that allows you to move easily. Don’t worry if you don’t have your own yoga mat yet. We always have a selection of mats on hand for rent or purchase.
We have an app that makes reserving your spot a breeze. You may download via App Store or Google Play.
It’s a good idea to arrive a little earlier. Planning with a little extra time avoids stress over parking spaces, finding our studio for the first time, and settling in for your first class. Once your class starts, remember that yoga is not a competition. You’re only starting out, which means it’s normal not to achieve all the poses perfectly just yet. Ask your instructor for additional guidance and give yourself credit for the poses you are achieving already.
Busting Yoga Myths for Beginners
Over the past decade or so, yoga has become ever more popular. That’s great, but it’s also given rise to several myths about the practice. It’s time to bust three of the most common misconceptions we’ve come across.
Myth #1: You Need to be Flexible to do Yoga
Wrong. Yoga helps you become more flexible.
Remember that yoga is a journey? As you practice, you’ll gradually improve your flexibility and mobility. Practice consistently and regularly for the best results. You don’t need to be flexible before you join your first yoga class.
Poses that may seem impossible right now may be available to you within a few months, while others remain at the ‘project stage’ for years.
Myth #2: Yoga is Only for Women
Wrong. Yoga benefits all genders.
Granted, yoga has attracted more female than male practitioners worldwide. In India, where yoga originated, the gender gap is the smallest, whereas Korea has the largest gap. The United States lies somewhere in between.
At Uptown Yoga, we love welcoming new and seasoned practitioners of all genders for their first yoga class and many more.
Myth #3: You Need to Know About Yoga Poses Before you Start
Wrong. No one will quiz you on the names of asanas for your first yoga class or any other.
Most yoga poses have a traditional Sanskrit name as well as an English one. Our instructors will use one or both, but no one expects you to know or remember all poses. As you practice regularly, you’ll naturally become more familiar with the individual asanas. Until then, simply watch your instructor’s demonstration and ask for help when something is unclear.
Three Yoga Poses for Beginners
When you join us for your first yoga class at Uptown Yoga, you’ll practice far more than three yoga poses. We’ve selected these three poses because they form a great base for building your own at-home practice in between classes.
1. Downward Facing Dog
This is perhaps one of the best-known yoga poses even if you’re not yet a regular practitioner. Although it may look easy, there are a few finer details to discover. Working on those details will help you get more out of your practice.
Start by kneeling on the floor, sitting back with your toes tucked. Place your hands firmly in front of you, shoulder-width apart. Push into your palms to raise your hips toward the ceiling. You can bend your knees a little if that feels better. Try not to lean too far forw ard, shifting most of your weight to your legs.
Feel free to ‘walk the dog’ to loosen off in the beginning and try dropping your heels toward the floor. Hold for a few breaths.
2. Standing Forward Bend
Can you lean forward and touch your toes? Don’t worry, it’s not a test. Forward bends are excellent poses to relief tightness in your back and gradually build flexibility.
Start by standing on your mat with your feet hip-width apart. Bend from the hip, exhale, and fold your upper body over your legs. If your hamstrings feel tight, try bending your legs. It doesn’t matter if you reach your toes. Simply observe what your body can comfortably do.
To loosen off your muscles even more, try grabbing opposite elbows with opposite hands and swaying from side to side. Straighten your spine slowly, vertebrae by vertebrae.
3. Tree Pose
Tree pose is excellent asana if you’d like to improve your balance. Start by standing on your mat. Shift your weight to one leg, raise the other leg as high as feels comfortable, and rest it against your standing leg. Any height from low on your ankle to above your knee is beneficial.
Bring your hands together in a prayer position in front of your torso and hold for several breaths. If you lose balance, simply step out of the pose and try again. Repeat on the other side.
Are You Ready to Join Us For Your First Yoga Class?
We’d love to welcome you to one of the Uptown Yoga studios soon! Take a look at our class schedule and book your first yoga class today. Our instructors love introducing new yogis to the practice, and you’ll find fellow practitioners ready to support you. We’re waiting for you!
