If you have never been to a yoga class, you probably have a few questions. This answers all of them — with no jargon.
Almost everyone coming to a first yoga class shares one worry: "but I'm not flexible." That is rather like saying you cannot take a bath because you are dirty. Flexibility is the result of practice, not a prerequisite for it.
What to wear
Stretchy, comfortable clothing that will not ride up when you bend. Leggings and a reasonably fitted top are plenty. We practise barefoot, so shoes are not a concern.
What to bring
- A bottle of water
- A small towel
- Socks for the end of class, if your feet get cold
Mats, bolsters, blocks and blankets are all at the club, so there is nothing to buy. Bring your own mat if you prefer it.
How a class runs
We usually begin seated, with a few minutes of attention on the breath. Then the body is warmed gently, we move into the main postures, and the last ten minutes are spent lying down, resting. That final part — savasana — is the most important of the class, however simple it looks.
If you tire partway through, sit down. Nobody is watching, and your instructor will encourage it.
Arrive ten minutes early
This is the one rule we genuinely insist on. Coming in mid-class breaks everyone else's focus, and you miss the warm-up your own body needs.
And finally: you will probably ache the next day in muscles you did not know you had. That is normal, and it passes after two or three sessions.