Ok so you want to go to your first yoga class! Congratulations, yoga is the BEST!

This post contains 9 things to expect while attending your first (or close to first) yoga class.  I will go through things that, as an instructor myself, I wish new students knew.  There is a lot of learned etiquette that comes with anything you start doing and yoga is one of them.

I hope this helps ease your nerves, excite your mind and clear things up a bit for you!

1. Arrive to your class about 15 minutes early.

This gives you enough time to take off your shoes, roll out your mat, hydrate before the class begins, start to calm the mind in a quiet room and get to know people including the instructor. (We will talk more about what to say to the instructor!)

2. The class and room will be quiet.

This gives yoga students time to clear their mind and listen to the music or silence.  Be prepared to turn off your phone (if you absolutely need to bring it to your mat with you) or better yet, don’t bring it at all.  Leave it in your locker any chance you can.  This is one of those rare moments that you have a great chance to stop looking at it 24/7 so take it!

3. Introduce yourself to the instructor (see? I told you it was coming!).

First, introduce yourself and tell them you are new! As an instructor it helps so much to know who is new to not only your class but yoga as a whole.  If you are not new to yoga, tell them that as well.  When I know the level of my students, I give more modifications or advanced variations.

This next part may be the most important part…

Tell them about your experience with yoga, if you are pregnant or any injuries you might have. This is huge because they again can help with modifications as well as some posture support.  If the instructor is coming by to help with hands-on assists, they also have good information for doing that the right way.

I have also realized that there is so many benefits to simply networking! Make a new friend, get to know someone new! That person or experience might just be life-changing.

4. Come!

As instructors, we love it when you show up – even just for child’s pose!  At the beginning of every class I teach, I mention how important it is to listen to your body.  I say something like, “I would way rather you come and sit on your mat even doing child’s pose the entire time than not have you here.  There is so much to yoga and I promise you will get just what you came for even if you don’t do any physical practicing.”  If the class is a little too advanced or you just aren’t feeling the push that day, feel free to slow things down yourself.  You know what is best for your body so honor that.  Every instructor should respect your space and your own practice.

5. Place your mat strategically in the room and learn from others.

The best place to be in a room full of yoga mats is the very middle! Many times I will see new students come in and park their mat in the back corner.  I usually guide them to the middle because it will help their practice 100 fold.  If you are in the back, you are unable to see the instructor at all times and you are also seeing the back sides of everyone else practicing.  However, in the middle of the room, any way you turn you are able to see other students and what they are doing which is SO helpful as a beginner.

Listen to modifications from the instructor.  Especially when they know you are new or a beginner, they should give more beginner            modifications.  Listen to them and take them when needed.  Feel free to try the modification and change to more challenging if                  needed as well or vise versa.

6.  Expect to breathe loudly.

Using your Ujjayi breath is when you are breathing so heavy, you could fog up a mirror or window in front of you.  Try it! I know it can be a bit awkward at the beginning since you don’t want to do anything to disrupt the silence or the practice but this breath does so much for your body and mind.  It is detoxing, cleansing, and expanding.

Say “om” if instructed; let go of judgement and ego. Om chanting sets the tone for the class and syncs the energy in the room.  This one was a hard one for me at the beginning but soon learned to own my om! Once I did that, I loved it and now prefer it in every class!

7. Make friends!

Yogis are good friends to have and to hug! We love making new friends in general but making a good friend at a yoga class?! That is prime friendship right there! You know how it goes – if you want to surround yourself with people who like or do what you like or do, go make friends while liking and doing that thing!

8. It is ok to bring anything that will help your practice.

Blocks, straps, water and a towel are the obvious ones here but I also love to bring my favorite essential oils, stones or crystals and my very favorite – my journal.  I regret bringing that thing every time I forget now.  Thoughts and answers just come to you during yoga and I love having a place to write them down.  I also never write it down in my phone because 1. I try to leave it in my locker in the first place and 2. If I do have to bring it (because daycare has my kids and might need to get a hold of me) I really don’t like turning it on and disturbing the lighting, focus and energy in the room.

9.  Namaste is said from the instructor at the end of the practice.

The instructor will usually say something similar to, “The light in me honors and loves the light within each one of you.  Namaste.”  The students then repeat the word, “Namaste”.  This is to honor yourself, honor the instructor, honor the energy and everyone else who joined you in that practice.  The word comes from the Sanskrit language and echos compassion, respect and love.

Bonus number 10!  Not all yoga classes are created equal.

Go to a class at your level and know what class you are going to.  I have called a studio before just to ask more about a class and ask what they would recommend knowing my level specifically.  I have also called a studio before to ask about instructors they would recommend.  Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there a little to get the information you need.

Want to look at other options for increasing your yoga practice in your life? Not sure if the studio is the best fit for you? Read my last blog post titled So You Want To Start Doing Yoga, What Now?