New to Yoga? What to Expect When You’re Just Starting Out
You have thought about trying yoga.
Maybe more than once.
Then the questions begin.
What if I’m not flexible?
What if everyone else knows what they’re doing?
What should I wear?
What if I can’t do the poses?
Am I too old, too stiff, too out of shape, or too inexperienced to start?
Here is the short answer:
You do not need to prepare yourself for yoga before coming to yoga.
That is what the practice is for.
At Just Plain Yoga, we have been welcoming beginners since 2003. Some arrive excited. Some arrive nervous. Some tell us in the first five minutes that they cannot touch their toes.
None of that is a problem.
You do not need to be flexible
This is probably the most common concern we hear.
Flexibility is not a prerequisite for yoga.
Saying you need to be flexible before trying yoga is a little like saying you need to be strong before you start strength training.
People come to yoga with different bodies, different ranges of motion, different histories, and different goals.
Your pose does not have to look like the person beside you.
In fact, it probably should not.
You will not be expected to know the poses
A beginner is supposed to be learning.
A good teacher will offer instruction as you go, and you are always allowed to look around when you are unsure what something means.
You may hear unfamiliar pose names. Some teachers use Sanskrit terms, some use English, and many use both.
You do not need to memorize any of them.
After a while, some of the language becomes familiar naturally.
Until then, just listen, look, and do what makes sense for your body.
There is no prize for doing the hardest version
Yoga is not a competition.
If a teacher offers three versions of a pose, the third one is not the level you are eventually required to graduate into.
Different options exist because bodies are different.
You may use a block.
You may bend your knees.
You may stay in the first version while someone else chooses another.
You may come out of a pose early.
You may rest.
Those are not signs that you are doing yoga incorrectly.
Learning to pay attention to your own body is part of the practice.
What should you wear?
Wear clothing that lets you move comfortably.
That is it.
You do not need special yoga clothes, matching sets, expensive leggings, or a particular body type.
You will probably want something that stays reasonably secure when you bend forward or move between standing and the floor.
Beyond that, wear what makes you comfortable.
Yoga is generally practiced barefoot, although socks may be appropriate for some practices or individual needs.
What should you bring?
If you have a yoga mat, bring it.
If you do not, check with us. We have mats and props available at the studio.
Water is always reasonable to have nearby.
Most importantly, bring whatever information your teacher needs to help you practice safely. If you have movement limitations, recent injuries, or anything else you think may affect your practice, let us know.
You do not have to announce your entire medical history to the room. A quiet conversation with your teacher before class is fine.
What happens when you arrive?
Try to arrive a few minutes early for your first visit.
That gives you time to find the studio, get settled, meet the teacher, and ask questions without feeling rushed.
You will choose a space for your mat and gather any props the teacher recommends.
Then you begin.
There is no initiation.
No one is going to quiz you on yoga philosophy.
And there is a very good chance everyone else in the room is paying far more attention to their own practice than to yours.
What if I cannot keep up?
You are not required to.
Different yoga classes move at different speeds, which is why choosing the right first class matters.
Some practices are slower and more instructional. Others move more continuously or require more familiarity with common poses.
If you are unsure where to begin, ask us.
Tell us a little about yourself, your experience, what you hope to get from yoga, and any concerns you have.
We would much rather help you choose an appropriate class than have you randomly select one that does not suit you.
What if getting on and off the floor is difficult?
That does not mean yoga is unavailable to you.
Yoga can be adapted in many ways, including practices that use a chair for support or spend less time transitioning between the floor and standing.
This is another reason we discourage people from assuming that one yoga class represents all yoga.
The practice should meet the person.
The person should not have to force themselves to fit the practice.
What if a group class feels intimidating?
You do not have to begin in a group.
A Private Assessment can be a very good starting place if you are unsure about your mobility, concerned about physical limitations, returning after a long period away from movement, or simply more comfortable beginning one on one.
During a Private Assessment, we can learn more about your goals and concerns, explore some movement together, and help determine what kind of yoga experience may work best for you.
You may discover that a group class is completely appropriate.
You may decide that a few private lessons would help you build confidence first.
Or you may prefer private yoga altogether.
There is no single correct pathway into practice.
Private lessons are not just for advanced students
In fact, beginners can benefit enormously from individual instruction.
A private lesson gives you time to ask questions, learn basic poses at your own pace, explore modifications, and become more familiar with how yoga feels in your own body.
For some people, one or two private sessions remove much of the anxiety around attending their first group class.
For others, ongoing private lessons simply suit their needs better.
Both are yoga.
What if I am older or have not exercised in years?
You are still allowed to begin.
We teach people across a wide range of ages and experiences.
You do not have to become younger, thinner, stronger, or more athletic before you walk through our door.
You may simply need the right class, the right teacher, and permission to start where you actually are.
That last part matters.
Yoga is not about performing the body you wish you had.
It begins with paying attention to the body you have today.
Your first class does not have to be perfect
You may feel awkward.
You may mix up your right and left.
You may wobble.
You may discover muscles you had forgotten existed.
You may spend part of Shavasana wondering what you are supposed to be thinking about.
That is all normal.
Your first class has one job:
to be your first class.
You do not need to prove anything beyond that.
Give yourself time to find your yoga
One class cannot tell you everything about yoga.
Teachers are different.
Class styles are different.
Your own body may feel completely different on Tuesday than it did on Saturday.
That is why our introductory offer gives new students 2 weeks of unlimited yoga for $39.
Instead of trying one class and deciding whether you are a “yoga person,” you have time to experience different teachers and approaches and begin figuring out what works for you.
Because we do not actually believe there is such a thing as a yoga person.
There are just people.
And yoga.
You are allowed to start exactly where you are
You do not need to touch your toes.
You do not need to know the poses.
You do not need the right clothes.
You do not need to get in shape first.
And you definitely do not need to wait until you feel completely confident.
Sometimes confidence comes after we begin.
At Just Plain Yoga, our job is not to turn you into someone who looks good doing yoga.
Our job is to help you discover a practice that can support the life you are actually living.
Come as you are.
We’ll meet you there.
Ready to begin?
Want to explore group classes?
Not sure which class is right for you?
CONTACT US FOR HELP CHOOSING A CLASS
Prefer to begin one on one?