10 Things Every Beginning Yoga Student Should Know.
10 Things Every Beginning Yoga Student Should Know.
1. It doesn’t matter how flexible or inflexible you are. Really. Being flexible won’t make you happier. There’s no prize. Stop suffering and learn to love the body you have!
2. Don’t get hung up on how you look in a pose. Everyone else in class is focusing on their own pose. They don’t care how you look (unless you’re wearing a thong). Let this be your first lesson in ego management.
3. It’s OK if you don’t know what the Sanskrit words mean. The only people in the room who do are teachers or big yoga dorks.
4. It’s not religious—unless you want it to be. Your practice should be unique to you. You’re allowed to make it as spiritual, religious, fitness oriented (or not) as you want. (If someone tells you otherwise, please have them call me.)
5. Yoga is an art form, a science, a lifestyle and a philosophy. But more than anything, it’s a way to get to know yourself better. And that’s something that benefits us all.
6. Everyone gets the left and right sides mixed up sometimes. Don’t be embarrassed when this happens. If your teacher corrects you, just smile. There’s a good chance she’ll say “left” when she means “right” later in the class.
7. It’s cool to fall down. The first time I fell on my face while attempting an arm balance, I was mortified. Now, when I get a big red mark on my forehead from diving head-first into my mat, I consider it a badge of honor. It’s how you learn. Laugh at yourself and move on!
8. No one cares if you can do a Handstand in the middle of the room, or touch your foot to the back of your head, or some other advanced pose. Just start where you are, and your practice will build over time. You’ve got the rest of your life to master the poses — for now, just breathe.
9. Your teacher wants you to ask for help. No one understands the temptation to hide in the back row and pretend to be invisible more than I do. But believe me when I say yoga teachers LOVE to answer your questions. Your teacher really wants to help you with your pose, answer your question about philosophy or explain what that Sanskrit word means. So if you don’t understand what’s going on, ask!
10. Keep coming back. When you’re new to anything there will be moments of frustration and discomfort. Despite what you might see on TV commercials, hatha yoga is usually not the same as going to a spa to get pampered. It’s hard work. It can be exhausting — physically, mentally and emotionally. At times you will want to throw up your hands and quit (or at least curse out your teacher for making you hold that pose you hate). Don’t. This is where the healing happens. Breathe into it, and come back tomorrow. You’ll be glad you did.
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This was a gentle post and I loved it. I am a home-practitioner of yoga (as I cn't afford the time or cost of actual lessons) but it translated well to my worst critic…me.
Thanks,
John
Wonderful, Erica. This is the way to make Yoga warm and inviting for everyone.
The first time I went to a Yoga class I had my wife Jane to guide me. Short of that, this article is the next best thing!
i'm going to post this on the Elephant Facebook page right now.
Bob Weisenberg
ElephantJournal
I don't see people who are overweight, middle aged, and out of shape pictured in any of these posts about yoga, so please understand if some of us are intimidated, if not downright turned off. If you ask me, it seems like yoga classes are one more place beautiful people can flaunt themselves. Screw that. I'll stay home and make an ass of myself, thanks, anyway.
If you can make an ass of yourself with no one around…at home…
…the problem/concern you have expressed is obviously coming from YOU! You just need a great teacher to help you move through all of that insecurity.
I'm with you Diane and suggest you proceed at your own confort level. As you can see from the two comments above, not all yoga people are welcoming and supportive. Clearly their ignorance exceeds their ability to offer advice. Best of luck on your yoga journey.
Hi, Diane. I agree with erin. You just need to hunt around a little for the best class. My first classes were very diverse and very embracing. You can find one like that, too, unless you happen to be in an area with few options.
Best wishes.
Great list, Erica!
I must say that I agree with you on all 10 
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Good advice to someone who wants to start Yoga, me.
Thank you.
Erica – what a great list that really tells it like it is. I was worried about all that stuff – inflexibility, that yoga was a cult, etc. And totally afraid to ask my instructor questions like – what does Namaste mean? Wish I would have read this before I started! I'm going to recommend this article to all the people I know that want to try yoga! BTW – love your blog!
I was lucky to start with an extremely small, low key class, with a goofy teacher in a dance studio that I already felt at home in. I wish everyone could start this way.
Loved #5.
I'm middle aged (well almost since I plan to live to 120 I actually have a few years to true middle age) and as my husband says on the curvy side…and I'm the teacher
don't be afraid, the only thing you have to lose is your fear and some of that inner critic.
Maybe that's why I love yoga so so so much, when I started I had all those fears, when I took teacher training I was at first nervous to teach because I wasn't the bendiest, thinest, strongest anything "est" in the room, but yoga took me past that, to share my love and passion and joy and most importantly my self acceptance!! What I love most is having a room full of real genuine people of all shapes and sizes. And the best is when I see some young, bendy hottie I can now see them as beautiful without jealousy or judgement and I celebrate humanity…we are all on our path, we are all divine and the manifestation is just that, a manifestation that comes with it's pros and cons. I love love love this list. Thank you.
[...] the time I got into the classroom, it’s nearly full and so tightly packed that it’s impossible not to walk on someone’s m… I’m talking an inch between each mat. There is a spot at the very front near the music control [...]
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great write up. I am new to yoga and I love it. In class, it is just me and my mat-no competing or checking on others to see if i am able to stay up. I am able to embrace myself and learn about who i am. How do I react when a pose is difficult? if i cannot get into a pose? I am always able to adjust to this and in the end, i can always blow myself a kiss and be gentle with myself. Yoga taught me how. Thanks Yoga!
Good article! I remember how scared I was when I first began taking yoga classes. I was sure I was "doing it wrong." I've since learned to drop all that fear and just love my body they way it is. Yoga helped me love myself and not compare myself to others. We are all on our own unique journey, and yoga has helped me so much. I am grateful!
Thanks for reminding me about this.
Great article and so true, some people have a preconceived notion of what Yoga is, I say check all expectations at the door and just come with and open mind and keep practicing and learning and growing. There is always going to be someone who is more flexible, better looking and stronger but if you keep with it and make sure you eat well and take care of yourself you'll benefit greatly from regular yoga practice:-)
Sorry, I meant "intimidating", my English tends to run away when I type too fast! (see, still making an ass of myself on the world wide web, nice)
Right, I think Erin and all were trying to say that Diane likely is beautiful, it's not about how we look, it's about our attitude. For myself, I'm always half out of shape, and I'm always welcomed to yoga even by teachers who can rock all the poses etc. Same with cycling, climbing, life…generally people are pretty welcome.
As for your first point, Diane, we have umpteen posts about being curvy and doing yoga, etc. Just search top left, hopefully you'll enjoy them.