- Yoga is done barefoot and on a mat. You will occasionally see people with some kind of sock or shoe, but it’s usually due to an injury or medical condition.
- Yoga is practiced with comfortable clothing that are not overly loose. Pants: Any comfortable exercise pants or shorts will do. No Jeans. Tops: A shirt that is a little bit fitted works best. A big baggy t-shirt is not great since it will probably slide down every time you bend over.
- Bowel and Bladder must be empty for your yoga practice. It’s best not to eat anything right before a yoga class. When you start moving, everything gets churned up and you may start to feel sick if your stomach is too full.
- Consume the food that provides energy. You can have either a cup of fruits, a banana, cup of milk, yogurt, or oatmeals an hour or two before class.
- Self Warm up will prepare your for any yoga class in the studio. Most of the classes we offer includes warm ups. If you are early for the class, [try these warm-up poses], they will make you look like you know what you’re doing. You can also just lie on your back or sit cross legged on your mat. This makes you look serene.
- Stay hydrated. Drink platy of water one day before attending your first yoga class.
BEFORE YOUR FIRST CLASS
- Look and Listen: When you are first learning the poses, it’s ok to glance around the room to see what everyone else is doing, but look to the teacher for your primary instruction. Also, listen for his/her verbal cues as she describes how to do the poses.
- Alignment: Keep an eye on the teachers alignment instructions. That’s the precise way that the body lines up in each posture. Good alignment is very important to maximise each pose’s benefits and minimise the chance of injury.
- Hold: In the beginning, the postures should not be held longer then a few seconds. Gradually the length may be increased as your teacher see it appropriate.
- Be Positive and Optimistic: Don’t feel bad if you teacher corrects your postures. Hands-on instruction is the best way to learn good form. Stay light-hearted and keep your sense of humour. Laugh if you fall out of a pose, smile when things get difficult. Enjoy yourself.
- Ask if you don’t understand: Perhaps the most important tip is to always ask questions when you don’t understand something.
- Final Relaxation: Every yoga class ends with the total relaxation of the body for 5-15 minutes. Try not to skip this. During the relaxation, peacefully bask in the joy, warmth, and Inturnedness of your being. This is a great way to start or end your day, what so ever the case may be.
AFTER YOUR FIRST CLASS
- Rehydrate: Remember to drink minimum four 8-ounce glasses of water over next 12-24 hrs after your yoga practice. This habit will purify your body and drastically minimise the muscle soreness.
- Always Ask Questions: If it’s about yoga culture or etiquette, the existing clients and more experienced students are almost always happy to share. Questions about specific physical postures are best directed toward your teacher, either during or after class.
