Christ, all I do is squats!
June 24, 2010 11:57 PM Subscribe
How do I feel less COMPLETELY UNPREPARED for yoga tomorrow?
Definitely don't eat beforehand. You can mention to the instructor that it's your first class. Get there a few minutes early. I like to wear those little yoga toe socks - they might be controversial, but my feet get cold. If it's hot yoga you'll probably get sweaty and might slip around, having a good mat & towel is important. Don't wear baggy shirts or shorts that might show too much. Remember that the other people didn't come all the way to class to spy on and critique you, so try not to be self-conscious. Your teacher can show you how to modify lots of poses, and using a block might help. It's ok to not get every pose perfect, you get more flexibility with practice!
Good luck!
posted by funfetti at 12:56 AM on June 25, 2010
Good luck!
posted by funfetti at 12:56 AM on June 25, 2010
Definitely go up to the instructor and introduce yourself as a newbie. S/he will be warm and welcoming and you'll feel a lot better. S/he will probably show you where to get a mat and any other accessories you need. I recommend grabbing a blanket (you can fold it and sit on it if sitting cross-legged hurts your back), and a block (helps with some of the standing bendy positions).
Just take it easy and do your best. You don't say what kind of yoga you're going to, but in my experience all classes start with relaxing breathing exercises, so that will help calm your anxiety.
Just remember that nobody is judging you. Although many people practice yoga in groups, it's a very personal practice. The teacher may come over to you once and a while and adjust you a little bit to help you with the positions, but that's to make the experience better for you, not to make you a yoga Stepford Wife!
I disagree a bit with farytale's comparison of yoga to pilates...in my experince, pilates is really an athletic/strength activity, while yoga is more about relaxation and balance. If I haven't done yoga in a while I sometimes feel a little awkward the next day, but not the horrible pain of a post-first-boot-camp day.
I don't necessarily think eating beforehand is a problem, just don't have a huge meal right before. But funfetti definitely has a point about baggy clothes - when you bend over, they tend to fall and um, expose parts, and it's also uncomfortable. You don't need spandex or anything but fairly fitted clothes are a good idea.
posted by radioamy at 1:18 AM on June 25, 2010
Just take it easy and do your best. You don't say what kind of yoga you're going to, but in my experience all classes start with relaxing breathing exercises, so that will help calm your anxiety.
Just remember that nobody is judging you. Although many people practice yoga in groups, it's a very personal practice. The teacher may come over to you once and a while and adjust you a little bit to help you with the positions, but that's to make the experience better for you, not to make you a yoga Stepford Wife!
I disagree a bit with farytale's comparison of yoga to pilates...in my experince, pilates is really an athletic/strength activity, while yoga is more about relaxation and balance. If I haven't done yoga in a while I sometimes feel a little awkward the next day, but not the horrible pain of a post-first-boot-camp day.
I don't necessarily think eating beforehand is a problem, just don't have a huge meal right before. But funfetti definitely has a point about baggy clothes - when you bend over, they tend to fall and um, expose parts, and it's also uncomfortable. You don't need spandex or anything but fairly fitted clothes are a good idea.
posted by radioamy at 1:18 AM on June 25, 2010
Also, and this isn't universal, but don't feel offended or snubbed or anything if the other yogis seem standoffish. They may very well actually be standoffish (I've run into cliques at some studios) but people also tend to come into yoga and focus right away and try to center and ignore everything else while preparing themselves for their practice (sitting with eyes closed or in certain poses that help them center).
So, when you come in, you may feel awkward because you don't know what to do while everyone else is in a heart bench or meditating or whatever. Don't sweat it - go up to the teacher and out yourself as a new student.
Also, my experience is that not only is the first time physically challenging (some of the positioning may feel very foreign), but it's also mentally pretty tough - both because you may be frustrated with the physical part but also just because the mental pace is different from the rest of your day. I felt very uncomfortable in my first few sessions for both those reasons. Now I'm a 3-4 days a week yogi.
posted by Pax at 2:56 AM on June 25, 2010
So, when you come in, you may feel awkward because you don't know what to do while everyone else is in a heart bench or meditating or whatever. Don't sweat it - go up to the teacher and out yourself as a new student.
Also, my experience is that not only is the first time physically challenging (some of the positioning may feel very foreign), but it's also mentally pretty tough - both because you may be frustrated with the physical part but also just because the mental pace is different from the rest of your day. I felt very uncomfortable in my first few sessions for both those reasons. Now I'm a 3-4 days a week yogi.
posted by Pax at 2:56 AM on June 25, 2010
You are not the only one trying (and failing) to suppress their farting.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 3:03 AM on June 25, 2010 [7 favorites]
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 3:03 AM on June 25, 2010 [7 favorites]
Yoga is intimidating to outsiders - it seems like entirely skinny rich girls in matching spandex outfits and $90 designer mats, contorting themselves into all sorts of impossible poses. Once you get into a class, it's a completely different experience. In yoga, even if you've been practicing for years you're not expected to get everything right, and encouraged to go only as far as you're comfortable. If you have trouble balancing on one foot, you're not the only one; everyone in the class has had trouble with it at one point, or is doing fine right now but will have trouble with the other foot, or next week, or so on.
If your teacher adjusts you, don't assume it's because you suck! Everyone gets adjusted. Often it's because you're doing well but there is one tiny thing that could make your pose even better. (You can also go up to your teacher beforehand and request no adjustments if they make you uncomfortable.)
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:22 AM on June 25, 2010
If your teacher adjusts you, don't assume it's because you suck! Everyone gets adjusted. Often it's because you're doing well but there is one tiny thing that could make your pose even better. (You can also go up to your teacher beforehand and request no adjustments if they make you uncomfortable.)
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:22 AM on June 25, 2010
The first couple of yoga classes are a bit tougher just because you've got to keep an eye on the instructor to translate what "downward dog" looks like. Once you know what the poses are called, you can spend less time figuring out how it is done, and really start to concentrate on your own poses.
Remember, everyone in the class has had a first class before, so they know what you're going through and won't be judging.
posted by backwards guitar at 5:37 AM on June 25, 2010
Remember, everyone in the class has had a first class before, so they know what you're going through and won't be judging.
posted by backwards guitar at 5:37 AM on June 25, 2010
Nthing mentioning to the instructor that it's your first class. NO ONE is born knowing how to do yoga, and it's challenging and awkward at the beginning for everyone regardless of body type or previous athletic experience.
Don't compare yourself to others. Don't be hard on yourself, and keep your expectations low and reasonable. Don't feel like you have to keep up to the second, because as backwards guitar mentions, you are going to have to watch the instructor and to look around the room to figure out what you're trying to do. It's fine to give yourself a second to watch before trying the move.
You'll likely begin with a few moments of meditative breathing, 'setting your intention,' etc. Then you'll move into poses, probably gently stretching ones at first and more challening ones later. The poses usually come in a series in which poses flow from one to the next, and often the series are repeated, so if you don't get it all the first go-round, you will be able to do better on the second or third. Then you will end with a truly wonderful relaxation in which your body recovers from the workout.
Take time to notice how you feel after the class. I usually feel fantastic after yoga, and remembering that makes me more motivated to keep going.
posted by Miko at 6:30 AM on June 25, 2010
Don't compare yourself to others. Don't be hard on yourself, and keep your expectations low and reasonable. Don't feel like you have to keep up to the second, because as backwards guitar mentions, you are going to have to watch the instructor and to look around the room to figure out what you're trying to do. It's fine to give yourself a second to watch before trying the move.
You'll likely begin with a few moments of meditative breathing, 'setting your intention,' etc. Then you'll move into poses, probably gently stretching ones at first and more challening ones later. The poses usually come in a series in which poses flow from one to the next, and often the series are repeated, so if you don't get it all the first go-round, you will be able to do better on the second or third. Then you will end with a truly wonderful relaxation in which your body recovers from the workout.
Take time to notice how you feel after the class. I usually feel fantastic after yoga, and remembering that makes me more motivated to keep going.
posted by Miko at 6:30 AM on June 25, 2010
Yes to all of the above. And to be really specific? I would give your spine a leg up (???) by doing a little bit of this today or earlier before going: on your hands and knees, very slowly and gently round and, uh, unround your spine. Just a little! This is not like doing situps!
And the best thing you can do to prepare is prepare yourself to not overexert. Take it easy! Going to yoga is not a competition. (Well, at first. The competition comes later, but no one in yoga likes to talk about it. Heh.)
Also don't eat beforehand but don't go hungry. You'll be miserable.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 10:28 AM on June 25, 2010
And the best thing you can do to prepare is prepare yourself to not overexert. Take it easy! Going to yoga is not a competition. (Well, at first. The competition comes later, but no one in yoga likes to talk about it. Heh.)
Also don't eat beforehand but don't go hungry. You'll be miserable.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 10:28 AM on June 25, 2010
Get there ten minutes early and stake out your spot -- close enough to see what the instructor is doing but not so close that you feel self-conscious about being in front of everyone. Introduce yourself to the instructor and mention that it's your first time. If you have any injuries, sore spots, tight muscles, etc., mention to the instructor so s/he can help you modify the poses during class.
Then sit on your mat quietly and close your eyes. Take a few minutes for calm breathing. During the class, don't push yourself beyond your body's limits. Take it slow and easy -- yoga can be physically demanding. Don't look around at others and force yourself to do what they are doing; focus on the instructor and his/her words and actions.
Hopefully you will feel invigorated but calm at the end of the class, like your body has been reset. Think on what you accomplished and thank your body for what it was able to do for you.
posted by initapplette at 11:35 PM on June 25, 2010
Then sit on your mat quietly and close your eyes. Take a few minutes for calm breathing. During the class, don't push yourself beyond your body's limits. Take it slow and easy -- yoga can be physically demanding. Don't look around at others and force yourself to do what they are doing; focus on the instructor and his/her words and actions.
Hopefully you will feel invigorated but calm at the end of the class, like your body has been reset. Think on what you accomplished and thank your body for what it was able to do for you.
posted by initapplette at 11:35 PM on June 25, 2010
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Physically, I expect it probably will kick parts of your ass you weren't aware you had-- Pilates did the same thing to me and I was just doing it off the TV show that happened to come on when I got home from work. Don't be afraid to ask the instructor for help, and do remember that you can always revert back to a simpler pose if something's totally beyond you and do that while others do the crazier stuff. Remember to hydrate, especially if you're doing hot yoga.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 12:02 AM on June 25, 2010