You belong here
If you are reading this, you are probably thinking about trying yoga but have a few worries. Maybe you think you are not flexible enough, or you are not sure what to wear, or you are worried about being the only person in the room who does not know what they are doing.
All of those feelings are normal, and all of them will disappear about ten minutes into your first class.
Before you arrive
Wear something comfortable that you can move in. Leggings or joggers and a t-shirt are perfect. You do not need special yoga clothes. Avoid anything too loose that might ride up during forward folds — that is the only practical consideration.
Bring a water bottle. We have mats you can borrow, so you do not need to buy one before you know if you enjoy it. If you have your own mat, bring it along.
Try not to eat a large meal within two hours of class. A light snack is fine, but a full stomach and twisting poses are not great friends.
When you arrive
Come five or ten minutes early so you have time to settle in. Let the teacher know it is your first class — they will keep an eye on you and offer modifications throughout. Nobody will put you on the spot or make you do anything you are not comfortable with.
Find a spot where you can see the teacher. The back of the room might feel less exposed, but being able to watch the teacher makes everything easier.
During class
The teacher will guide you through every pose with clear instructions. They will offer modifications for anything that feels too challenging. If something hurts, stop doing it. Discomfort is normal — sharp pain is not.
You will probably feel like everyone else knows what they are doing and you are the only one struggling. You are not. Even experienced practitioners have poses they find difficult. Nobody is watching you or judging you. Everyone is focused on their own practice.
Breathing is more important than the poses. If you take nothing else away from your first class, just remember to keep breathing. When a pose feels hard, your instinct will be to hold your breath. Try to breathe through it instead.
After class
You might feel calm, energised, a bit wobbly, or all three at once. You will almost certainly feel better than when you walked in. Some people feel emotional after their first class — that is completely normal and nothing to worry about.
Drink plenty of water. You might feel sore the next day in muscles you did not know you had. That passes quickly and gets less noticeable with each class.
Which class should I start with?
At Zen and Now, all of our classes welcome beginners unless specifically noted otherwise. If you want the gentlest introduction, start with a yin or restorative class. If you want something more active, try a vinyasa flow. Our beginner workshops run monthly and are designed specifically for people who have never done yoga before.
There is no wrong choice. The best class is the one you actually come to.
One last thing
Nobody starts yoga and is immediately good at it. The person next to you who seems effortlessly flexible has probably been practising for years. Yoga is a practice, not a performance. You are not competing with anyone, including yourself.
We would love to see you on the mat.