If you’re reading this, it’s fair to assume that you’ve heard about all the health benefits of yoga. And while these benefits are undeniable, most of us know very little about what we can expect from an introduction to yoga. For many people, their first experience with yoga is likely to be a bit nerve-racking. The practice of yoga has become increasingly popular; in fact, as of 2020, there were more than 5 billion Google searches for the word “yoga” each year.
That means there are probably more people trying to learn how to do it than ever before. However, with so many people showing up for class at once, chances are you won’t get much one-on-one instruction for your first few times at the studio. To make the most of your first time at the studio and reap all the benefits that come from an introduction to yoga, follow these tips from our friends over at Studio Yoga Again:
Come to class with a mat, towel, and water.
This one is pretty obvious. While an introduction to yoga class might be your first time ever practicing the practice, you’ve likely come to class with most of your other belongings. It’s important to take some time to clean up your mat, your towel, and your water bottle before you get into it. You’ll avoid a lot of unnecessary distractions and frustration if you come to class with clean hands and a water bottle full of ice water. This will help you focus on the pose more than your bag, your phone, and other things that can get in the way.
Your next step will be to make sure your mat is completely covered with gri gri. Yoga mats are made of a synthetic material that will cause friction with nearby surfaces when you’re practicing in public. If a teacher notices that your mat isn’t gri gri-lined, they can likely point you towards the nearest wall and tell you to practice there instead. With a gri gri-lined mat, you’ll avoid unwanted friction and unwanted attention.
Try a Few Classes Before Settling In
Even though you’ve been practicing yoga for years, you’ve probably never set foot in a studio before. This might feel a little nerve-wracking, but it’s important to remember that most yoga studios are nice and welcoming. When you walk in for your first class, you’ll likely feel as though you’ve stepped into another world. You’ll encounter a different energy than you’d find in other parts of your day. This can be a bit jarring, especially if you’re used to rushing through the door and getting to work as fast as you can.
To avoid rushing through your first class, try going early before the room is packed. You might also consider going late in the day when the energy in the room has slowed down a bit. If you go early or late in the day, you can spend your time in class getting to know your fellow yogis and experimenting with new poses, breathing exercises, and strengthening exercises without feeling rushed.
Try Breathing Exercises First
Breathing exercises can help beginners calm their minds, slow down their breathing process, and get used to the feeling of breathing in and out while they’re waiting to get into a pose. It can feel a little nerve-wracking to try to focus on breathing when you’re trying to get into a new pose, but breathing exercises can help you transition into a pose without any added stress.
If you want to get into a pose but you’ve never practiced it before, try a breathing exercise to get you started. Breathing exercises can help you transition into a pose with ease, and they can also help you mentally prepare for a pose so you don’t feel as anxious when you get in there. Some breathing exercises can help you get your breathing under control, or you can use them to help you transition to a pose.
Remember The Importance Of Postures
One of the first things that you’ll likely do when you walk into a yoga studio for the first time is try to get into a pose. You might hear about all the health benefits of yoga and you might feel as though you want to get started right away, but remember to take things slowly. Yoga poses are only right for you when you’re ready to get into them. You might feel as though you want to get started right away, but this might not be the case.
When you walk into a studio for the first time, walk around and experiment with different poses so you can figure out which ones feel right for you. Yoga poses rely on you and your body to determine whether or not they’re right for you. Yoga is a lifelong practice, so you can’t rush into a pose just because you feel like you have to. Yoga poses are only right for you when you’re ready to get into them.
Don’t Forget The Strength Training
Yoga is often touted as a form of exercise that doesn’t require any high-intensity athletic training. This is true if you’re walking into the studio for the first time. However, as you get used to the practice and build up your strength, you’ll find yourself moving through poses faster. At first, strength training might feel a little awkward. You might find yourself worrying about testing your form or worrying about the way that you’re moving through a pose.
However, it’s important to remember that yoga poses are meant to feel awkward at first. This is because yoga poses are meant to challenge you, not test you. Strong muscles are important in almost every aspect of life; they perform everyday tasks such as walking, running, and climbing stairs with ease. Strong muscles also help you get into poses like downward-facing dog, warrior one, and tree pose with ease.
Wrapping Up
Yoga is a powerful practice that can help you relax, focus your mind, relieve pain, and improve your overall mood. However, the benefits of yoga are only attainable if you practice it regularly. If you walk into a studio for the first time and try to get into a pose without any prior experience, you risk injuring yourself. Yoga poses are only right for you when you’re ready to get into them.
Strong muscles are important in almost every aspect of life; they perform everyday tasks such as walking, running, and climbing stairs with ease. Strong muscles also help you get into poses like downward-facing dog, warrior one, and tree pose with ease. Yoga poses are only right for you when you’re ready to get into them. Don’t forget the strength training, and don’t forget the importance of postures.
