BLOG: 7 Things That Will Happen In Your First Class.
1. You will have no idea what the instructor is talking about.
The instructor will use words you are unfamiliar with like “vinyasa” and “bhujangasana.” Most of the instructors will try to explain things as much as they could to help you keep up, you can look to the other students and just copy what they’re doing. You don’t have to know every keyword, you will hear them enough that eventually you’ll start to understand what they refer to after practicing for some time.
2. You will feel awkward.
Practicing Yoga in a space full of strangers might be too scary for some people, but just know that you only control what happens on your little mat. That’s your own space. If a pose is too hard, there’s no shame to rest in Child’s pose or lay down on your back. If you want to stop for a second, you can anytime. Don’t worry about other people looking at you or judging you because they are not, they’re not supposed to be. If you don’t want to be touched (sometimes the teacher comes around and moves you to correct you), tell the instructor beforehand to avoid any further discomfort. It’s all about what you’re comfortable with. The instructor will totally understand you without judging you.
3. You will fall down.
If it’s your first class, chances are you aren’t a balance master. The other students might be able to hold poses for longer than you are because your body has never done it before. You might teeter and totter and eventually fall down. It’s totally normal. Everyone in the room has been through the same experience or maybe they still working hard like you. That’s part of yoga. No one expects you to be perfect, or graceful on your first go. If you fall, don’t get discouraged. Just get back up and try again.
4. You will envious.
The people in your class might be really good at yoga. They might have excellently toned bodies and be able to do handstands and splits. You will be envious of the people have excellent balance. It’s only natural. They’ve probably been practicing for a long time, you should learn not to compare yourself to others. Just fully focus on your own body.
5. You will be sore.
After class, you will be sore. Though some people dismiss yoga as “lazy stretching,” you should know before you go that it is a workout. Your muscles will be doing things they are not used to doing and stretching. You will feel taller and sleep better. You’ll have worked muscles you didn’t even know existed in a good way.
6. But you’ll also feel great and awake.
Usually after practicing yoga, I feel stress relief, refreshed and lighter. I leave wanting to go play with my kids, get all my work done and eat healthier. It’s a short-term boost that let’s me move through my day in a way awesome mood. You may decide that a morning class works best for you, or you may decide to do yoga in the evening when you have more time. You’ll see how you feel after the first class and that will help you decide when to schedule your next one. Everyone is different, choose the right class for yourself.
7. You’ll want to go again
After your first Yoga class, if it’s a good one, you’ll definitely want to do again and be warned, there is a very good chance you will become addicted to yoga just like me. 😉
Namaste,
Carmen Lee-Schneider