Yoga Class Expectations

atamrowski

OK I don't know why I am nervous but my stomach is in knots right now! I have my first beginners yoga/pilate/tai chi class that lasts ten weeks long. It's a class filled with yogis and such and I am nervous in the fact that I don't know what i am getting myself into.

Yes I have done the basic asaynas and stretching but in the privacy of my own home! I guess I am just self-conscious of my own weight that I feel like a bit intimidated.

For those of you that have done a real class (this is at a high school gym), can you tell me what to expect and offer some pointers?

KirstenTheFamilyCoach

expect it to be slower than you think.
expect it to quieter than you think.

wear something that you find very comfortable including around your waist but too much extra fabric will not be your best choice as it'll get in the way of some of the poses.

For me, when I'm with a yogi I need to wear running skirt so I don't feel awkard poining my butt at others. Plus then no one can see if I get a wedgie.

drink plenty of water but PEE before you go into class. Hydrating will help you from being sore the next day but some of the poses will make you need to feel like you need to go... you don't want to worry about that.

Don't eat anything gasious for 24 hours beforehand. EVERYONE worries about passing gas in DownDog.

Remember that it's not a competition. There will be someone who can go deeper in a pose and there will be someone who seems to be doing effortlessly what you can feel causing an earthquake in your body. Let that go and focus on you and your body.

And relax - it's supposed to be RELAXING :flowerforyou:

ames105

I agree with everything above (except maybe the skirt, I haven't tried that but it seems to be a personal preference). I would only add...don't compare yourself to anyone. Internalize it and enjoy it. Its all about your health and well being and what's good for you.

Enjoy it! I love yoga and love to see people trying it. Its been very helpful to me on several different levels. Good luck!

GiddyupTim

I like Kirsten's last advice. "Relax. It's supposed to be relaxing." Nuff said.

underwater77

I agree with the above!

Also, there is strength in knowing when to take a break. If you need to go into child's pose, do it, even if you're the only person in the class. I still take child's pose when nobody else is quite a bit.

markymarrkk

you should expect to be one of the prettiest girls in there

alpine1994

Ahhh I feel the same way! I'm going to a new gym tonight (it just opened today) to start a lifting program, which I've never done. I am so nervous it's crazy.

As for yoga class, it is SO nice! You hold positions longer and deeper than you would if you were at home doing it, so at the end you feel so impressed with yourself and very pretzel-like! The above poster has very good advice and I don't have much to add, except to bring a sweat towel. Even if it's not hot yoga, you might still work up a sweat and you'll need somewhere to wipe it, esp. if your hands get sweaty and start slipping on the mat. Also, I'd suggest wearing yoga pants/capris and a tight fitting shirt. You don't want your shirt to have huge gaps that people can see up when you're in certain positions. If you have a tight fitting tank top and sports bra, that's perfect.

Enjoy yourself. You will love it. Also, nobody is looking at you since everyone is concentrating really hard on their own thing. The instructor will come over and correct you if you are doing something wrong and could possibly hurt yourself so don't worry about that.

tppchef

Nobody will be paying attention to you except the instructor who might comment on your form. It's so much fun, and relaxing. I hope you love it!

ames105

I agree with everything above (except maybe the skirt, I haven't tried that but it seems to be a personal preference). I would only add...don't compare yourself to anyone. Internalize it and enjoy it. Its all about your health and well being and what's good for you.

Enjoy it! I love yoga and love to see people trying it. Its been very helpful to me on several different levels. Good luck!

beautifulbeast11

Don't get disheartened if you can't do the full range of motion that are "required" in some of the moves/poses. It takes time. Your body will get there.

skeo

Go at YOUR own pace. Don't put yourself in a race against the other people in the class. It's all about slow and steady progression, at first I couldn't hold a plank for 5 seconds, let alone chuttarunga..but in the past 3 months, I've gotten stronger because I've stayed committed, and have fun and be sure to breathe

atamrowski

you should expect to be one of the prettiest girls in there

I'm blushing

lintino

I love yoga! You've gotten some really good advice. The only thing I would add is don't forget to breathe!! Sometimes in advanced classes the instructor forgets to remind the students to breathe. If you do breathe you will be able to stay in poses longer and stretch further. I hope you have a great workout.

Froody2

I hate yoga. It's not for fat people (rolls get in the way). It's probably the case that I just haven't found the right class for me, but every time I go I feel embarrassed, cannot do any of the poses and do NOT find it relaxing. JMO.

erg2013

I see all different levels and sizes in my classes. No one cares. If you are in a traditional yoga setting (not a gym), the students are there to develop their own practice and are not concerned about what poses you can or cant do. I just took a class tonight and I could not even tell you what the person 10 inches away from me looked like!

Totally agree on wearing a snug fitting shirt or tank. Your natural inclination will be to go baggy if you are insecure about your body, but it will get in the way. Try to practice on an empty stomach.

Have fun... yoga changed my life. I will never be without it again.

Edit: for clarification

erg2013

I hate yoga. It's not for fat people (rolls get in the way). It's probably the case that I just haven't found the right class for me, but every time I go I feel embarrassed, cannot do any of the poses and do NOT find it relaxing. JMO.

I would suspect that you have not had very good teachers. As I stated in my post above, I see all sizes. Most teachers will offer many different options for modifications. Be sure that if you are a beginner, you go to a beginner class - not advanced.

jd7887

I am sure you have already gone to class, but I wanted to offer my advice. I was extremely nervous before my first class. When I arrived, I automatically put my mat at the back of the class, which I quickly regretted.... I had a very hard time seeing the instructor and following along. As the weeks went by and my confidence went up, I inched up slowly to the front. I also realized as I would look around in down dog, that no one was paying a bit of attention to me. Everyone was/is focused on their own practice and breathing, they aren't focusing on my (lack of) pedicure, my form, or rolls. - I hope you enjoyed your first class and sleep like a baby tonight!

Froody2

I hate yoga. It's not for fat people (rolls get in the way). It's probably the case that I just haven't found the right class for me, but every time I go I feel embarrassed, cannot do any of the poses and do NOT find it relaxing. JMO.

I would suspect that you have not had very good teachers. As I stated in my post above, I see all sizes. Most teachers will offer many different options for modifications. Be sure that if you are a beginner, you go to a beginner class - not advanced.

Yes, you're probably right. I realise that most people won't or don't care about anyone else, but the problem is >>I<< care. The classes I went to were for beginners (apparently), but I still found them too difficult. I was told I should do a ten week course designed specifically for beginners - I would have loved to have done it, but I can't because I work a rotating roster and therefore can not be sure I'd be able to get to the classes. I love the idea of yoga and would really love to experience the mental and physical benefits practitioners gain, but until I lose more weight I think I'll stick to cardio and strength exercises

Penelope2738

Lots of fantastic advice, the only one I didn't see was to bring your own mat. I know this is an investment, but I cannot take lying on a smelly gym mat sweated on by numerous people over numerous days/months/years! Especially in yoga, where you really need to push your weight into the mat to "ground". Otherwise, definitly go your own pace, BREATHE, it makes a huge difference, and attempt to not judge yourself! bon voyage

FightTheFrump

I see all different levels and sizes in my classes. No one cares. If you are in a traditional yoga setting (not a gym), the students are there to develop their own practice and are not concerned about what poses you can or cant do. I just took a class tonight and I could not even tell you what the person 10 inches away from me looked like!

Totally agree on wearing a snug fitting shirt or tank. Your natural inclination will be to go baggy if you are insecure about your body, but it will get in the way. Try to practice on an empty stomach.

Have fun... yoga changed my life. I will never be without it again.

Edit: for clarification

These are my thoughts exactly. Love it!

MissJanet55

You can expect that all those yogis who make it look so effortless had to walk into a class for the first time and wonder what to expect.

You can expect to the learn the difference between pain that will injure you and pain that will make you feel good tomorrow.

You can expect (if you are like me) that you will have to do a little work to quiet the critical voice in your head.

You can expect that if you have any physical limitations that your teacher will take them into account after you have a conversation about it before the class. If you don't get that, find a new class.

You can expect to feel wonderful at the end of the class, like a cool breeze has blown through you body.

smaihlee

Ditto what everyone else has already said. I learned the snug-clothing rule the hard way after baring too much to the spin class next door! I wear capris or pants, a compression tank tucked into the pants, and a semi-fitted shirt on top. That's what I feel most comfortable in and it keeps me covered. I take 2 towels into class, one for sweat and the other to out under my hands or feet if I start to have trouble slipping on the mat. I've been going to a class every Saturday for about 5 months now, and I will say that it took me about 3 months to get to he point I didn't have to look at the instructor every few minutes. Hope the class is/was fun, and just remember there's only one "first" class--everything after should be much easier!

atamrowski

You all were so right! My instructor was not how I imagined. She was not thin, had sleeve tattoos, spoke loudly but was so funny and showed modifications. Boy was she limber! I wore leggings and Under Armor and yoga socks and gloves. Going to feel this tomorrow. I'm gonna sleep like a baby! 19 more sessions to go!