One of the most common questions I am asked is how to get started with yoga. Since yoga offers so many wonderful benefits for the mind, body and spirit and has truly changed my life, I am always delighted to answer this question. My response is always the same: if at all possible, go to a yoga class at a yoga studio. This might seem like a really simple answer but there are a number of reasons why I feel this way. Many people are resistant to this idea because they are worried they won’t be able to do the poses, that people are going to laugh at them or that they just don’t have the right yoga outfit. I am here to assure that none, and I mean none, of those assumptions are true and if you land yourself in a studio where it is, get thee to a different one ASAP. Starting is a good studio is a sure fire way to build a solid foundation for your practice and offers many benefits:
- A properly trained teacher will guide you in and out of poses safely and help you understand proper alignment. Most teachers use a hands on approach that will allow you to feel what the proper alignment of a pose is. Proper alignment is important to ensure that you don’t get hurt and that you receive all of the wonderful benefits of a pose.
- In the studio environment, the teacher is there to help you and to answer your questions. If you don’t quite get something, ask! Most teachers will let you know at the end of each class that he or she is open to questions. Make use of this time by asking whatever question you have! I’ve learned so much during this valuable time with my teachers.
- A well equipped studio will have whatever prop you might happen to need during your practice. Buying all of the possible props can be quite the expensive endeavor but having those props is invaluable to the practice. On that note, don’t be ashamed or afraid to use props. Props allow you to fully express poses in proper alignment and offer support when needed.
- Most studio’s offer a wide variety of classes which will help you explore which style is right for you. Some classes are fast paced (vinyasa flow, power, ashtanga) and some are slow (yin, restorative) and then, of course, all good studios will have classes that are just for beginners. Each type of class with have certain benefits and you may even be surprise which style is right for you.
- A studio will give you a sense of community and a place to share and discuss your observations with like minded people. One of my favorite aspects of yoga is the sense of community I feel with my fellow yogis. Nothing beats being around people who understand your path.
As you can see, there are many reasons why getting started with yoga in a studio is beneficial. I encourage you to look for studios in your area and find one that fits your needs. Before you know it, you will be reaping the rewards of a strong and fufilling yoga practice.
Do you practice yoga? How did you get started? Which style do you prefer?
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I got my first taste of yoga in a college class, of all places! It was an elective I could take, so I signed right up. It was taught by 2 yoga teachers from a local studio and I fell in love. But now I’m in a place where there are a few yoga studios in the area, but I can’t afford to join and none of the classes are at times that I could attend anyways.
I love being in a class rather than doing it on my own with a download or video, but those are my options right now.
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I think it is great that you were able to get started with teachers to help you learn the foundations of your practice. Now, that you have brought your yoga home, you can build and grow from there. I think that ultimately, home is the best place to practice but having that strong foundation in the beginning is so important.
I recently checked out a couple of studios in my area and wanted to join so bad, but living in a secluded place, my area is anything up to 45 minutes away. It’s just wasn’t possible for me to drive that far for a morning class and then either continue on to school sweaty or come home first. Hopefully one day this will work itself out, because I do videos from home, but do often question myself on if I’m doing a pose correctly.
Lauren, I understand the long commute issue, I feel like I live in my car sometimes! I commute two hours each way to my yoga teacher training, fifty minutes each way to work and thirty five minutes each way to the studio I practice in during the week. I live in a really small town and I hate driving but I have kind of gotten used to it at this point. Sigh.
What great timing — I do a decent amount of yoga at home, but I have been thinking about doing some hot yoga classes. Yoga is one of those workouts that takes me a few minutes to really get into, but once I’m started, I love it.
I did yoga for 2 years while living in Atlanta… but unfortunately haven’t since we moved to Houston in the past 3 years. I went to Bikiram Yoga about a month ago and I wasn’t impressed with the studio or the instructor. I am in constant look for a studio.
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Galareh, I am not a fan of Bikiram either, I don’t like the heat, the instruction style or the repetitive pose structure. Good luck finding a studio you enjoy in Houston, I am sure that must be hard when you move from one place to another.
Great tips!
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Great tips! I know there are lots of studios around here, I just need to take the time to find one.
Elizabeth (The Dallas Celiac)´s last blog ..Flat Tires + Oranges
Thanks for this great entry! I never would have tried a class without your suggestion. Now, I’m hooked! I loved the support and gentle correction I received. I’m going to try another studio this week that is a lot closer to me. Will you blog about how you chose your yoga style next?