My First Yoga Class! All you need to know! Pt. 1
I will never forget the first time I took a yoga class!
Prior to taking my first class, I used to sit and watch a 30minute yoga program on what used to be the “Fitness Channel”. My sister and I would get snacks and talk about how we can’t do any of that stuff! I remember trying a downward dog one day, and I felt like my limbs were frozen because they were so tight! I thought to myself, at some point I will eventually get to a class and try this “stuff” out for real. A few years later I was working in the nightlife industry as a VIP Manager at an upscale nightclub, and it was definitely the most stressful job I have ever had in my life! In an effort to manage my stress levels, I decided to go to my first yoga class. I already had a gym membership but rarely had time to take any of the classes because of my grueling work schedule. Luckily for me, they started offering classes on days when I was available in the evenings.
I was proud of myself for being able to keep up with the instruction and made it all the way through to the end without taking a break. As I was laying in savasana, I started to feel a strong sense of emotion rising from deep within me. I started shaking and then suddenly I started crying so hard, I could barely catch my breath. I didn’t understand what was happening to me and why I was crying. The instructor came to me after class and asked if I was okay and if it was my first class. I said that it was, and she explained that what was happening to me was perfectly normal! She said I was having a release. She asked if I have been experiencing high levels of stress, I told her I was and where I worked, and we both laughed because working at a nightclub can be a nightmare! She explained that my body was just purging the tension from the stress, and as I engaged in the yoga flow my body was releasing built up tension hence the reason, I started crying so hard. I remember leaving that class feeling so light, and happy. I was also very tired and slept like a rock that night when I usually have trouble falling and staying asleep.
My first yoga class changed my life forever!
I spent a long time feeling intimidated by the practice instead of taking the time to do the research to understand it. I apply this approach to many challenges I have faced in life, but for some reason, I felt frustrated by my body due to the effects that stress and anxiety had on me and was completely discouraged from facing this challenge. When I decided to finally take a class, I realized that my self-doubt could be defeated, and I decide to keep practicing which eventually led to me becoming certified. My journey to certification will be discussed in a future blog post if you are considering becoming a teacher.
So, if you are feeling intimidated by the practice of yoga here are a few myths that you can begin to let go of prior to your first class:
- You have to be flexible.
Do weightlifters need to have extreme strength to start training for their first competition? No, they work towards building that strength. Does someone need to be a great dancer and have perfect coordination before attending a Zumba class? No, the more they go to class the more their coordination and rhythm improves. The same applies to yoga! The more you engage in the practice the more you improve your flexibility, strength, and coordination over time.
- You cannot practice yoga if you are overweight.
I have had clients say to me countless times, “I’m too big to practice yoga!” Um, according to whom??? Yoga is not limited to a particular size or weight! Do not pay attention to all of the images and videos of super skinny yogis dressed half naked in advanced poses, they only represent a small portion of the global yoga community. Check out this page on IG @biggalyoga. These yogis are curvy, strong, and flexible, and create a huge positive impact on the yoga community!
- You have to become a Vegan.
Many yogis are vegans, I went vegan for a little over 5 years when I first started, but this does not mean that you have to do the same. One thing to remember about yoga is that it is more than a “work out” it is a lifestyle. We do encourage a healthy lifestyle which includes a healthy diet.
*Side Note: While vegan diets can be extremely beneficial for your health, not all vegan products are healthy! There are MANY snack foods that are vegan friendly, and many vegan products are heavily processed and contain high amounts of sodium. If you are considering a vegan diet, ensure that you do adequate research to select the right foods and products that will benefit you.
- Yoga & Meditation is a religion.
Sigh, NO IT IS NOT!!!! While spirituality is heavily apart of the practice in the Eastern world, it is not so much in the Western world. This is definitely debatable, however many yogis who practice make it a personal choice to include any practice of religion or spirituality into their yoga journey. It is a PERSONAL CHOICE! It will not be forced on you! If you do feel pressured by a yoga teacher or yoga practitioner, then find another space to engage your practice.
- Yoga is an expensive practice.
Yoga is one of the most inexpensive forms of exercise you will find! You can buy a beginners yoga set (mat, strap, and blocks) for less than $20 online. You can find free or low-cost (under $20) video instruction online, and in some places, you can find free classes in parks or offered through your employer if they have a wellness program in place. Personal instruction and studio memberships can be a little pricey, but you have to consider the benefits of in person instruction such as safe modifications and your learning style.
Like the age old saying goes “Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it!”. Please do not allow these common misconceptions to deter your from attending a yoga class. And keep in mind that like any other activity that you may engage in that is new, sometimes you have to give it time in order to adapt!
Now, head over to part 2 to learn how you can prepare for your first yoga class!