I regularly meet
people who are interested in trying out yoga but feel daunted at the prospect
of going to their first class. If you
are intrigued by yoga, then try it.
Yoga can make you
feel better, it can: stretch and strengthen your body, release tension and
stress, improve your sleep, help you feel more grounded and balanced, increase
your awareness and ultimately, transform the way that you experience life. All you need to do is go to a yoga class and
see if it works for you.
To help you, here
are my answers to the five most frequently asked questions about finding and going
to a yoga class.
1. How
do I choose a class?
There
are many different types and styles of yoga on offer and it can be difficult to
decide which class to choose. Different
styles will suit different people and you will want different types of classes
at different times in your life. So
don’t be daunted by all the options, just do a little research. You can look for classes on the internet,
search for a local yoga Meetup group, look on notice boards in shops and ask
friends and family for their recommendation.
Then follow your instincts, choose a class that appeals to you and that feels
as if it will be easy for you to get to regularly. If your first choice of class doesn’t work
out, don’t be put off, learn from the experience and look for another class.
2. Am
I flexible enough?
You
may have seen pictures of very flexible people doing quite extraordinary things
with their bodies and wonder if that is what will be expected of you. Don’t worry!
You may find some of the positions stretching or unusual to begin with
but you will become more flexible with time and you only need to do what you
feel comfortable doing. There will
usually be a mixture of people with different levels of flexibility in the class
and the other students are usually so busy focusing on what they are doing
themselves that they won’t be looking at you.
3. What
should I wear?
Wear
comfortable loose clothing of natural fibres that will allow you to stretch and
move freely. Yoga leggings, jogging
bottoms, t-shirts and sweatshirts/jumpers are the standard clothes. It is good to dress in layers so you can take
clothes off as you warm up in class and add layers and socks for relaxation or
Yoga Nidra at the end of class.
4. Do
I need a yoga mat?
It
is good to have your own yoga mat as you can choose one that suits your needs
and body size. You can buy them in many
high street stores or on-line. Make sure
that the mat is non-slip and that it is long enough for you to lie down
on. Most yoga studios will have yoga
mats that you can borrow until you decide that you are ready to buy your own.
5. What
do I need to do before going to my first yoga class?
Contact
the teacher before the class to let them know that you are going and that you
are new to yoga. Leave 3 hours between
your last meal and the class. If you get
very hungry, have a light snack such as a piece of fruit. Arrive 10 minutes before the start of the
class so that you have time to get changed and meet the teacher. If you have a medical conditions and you are
not sure about whether to do yoga, ask your doctor for advice. Make sure that you tell the teacher before
the class if you have any medical conditions, aches or pains or if you are
pregnant. Take responsibility for your
own health and only do those parts of the class that feel right to you.
·
email Nannerl at:
nannerlhealingyoga@gmail.com
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