What to Expect in Your First Yoga Class

If you’re new to the physical practice of yoga, coming to your first class can be intimidating. Your monologue (sanskrit: citta vritti) will do its very best to conjure nervousness or anxiety, which will create fanciful stories of contortionist yogis, Olympic trials for flexibility, a severely branded fashion show, and so on. I’m here to tell you this is all a daydream.
​

Preparing for Class

• Find clothing that allows you to move freely. It can be stretchy or loose, but not itchy or restricting. (Please note DoD facilities have a dress code.)
• Bring warm clothes and socks to layer at the end of class. In the cooler months the body may get too cool after the physical practice closes.
  ​

Arriving to Class

• Arrive early to check-in. Make your way to the class room.
• If you'd like, meet the teacher and discuss any injuries or concerns.
  ​

Setting Up for Class

• Grab a yoga mat and any props (2 blocks, a blanket, and a strap) from the storage locker.
  
• Arrange the mat on the floor according to the teacher's instruction and set the props within an arms distance.
• Sit comfortably on your mat.
• Take the time to reflect on how your body and mind feel at the beginning of class. Note any tension, stress, tightness, irritability, fear, or similar.
  ​

During Class

• Be gentle and kind to yourself. Yoga is a practice, not a perfection.
• We will always start by focusing on the breath with a soft gaze or eyes closed.
• Listen, watch, and learn. Over time, a regular, on-going routine will teach you the English and Sanskrit names, breathing techniques, alignments, etc. You are not expected to have this knowledge in your first class.
• Class will transition into a gentle warm-up of the joints and practice aligning breath with movement. The postures will gradually increase your cardio and strengthening with the pinnacle of class being balance practice. Postures will then move down towards the mat for cool-down of the body. We will finalize our asana practice by refocusing on the breath with a soft gaze or eyes closed.
• Class will end with hands at heart center in an easy seat position.
• Do the best you can and try to keep your mind out of the comparison/competition zone. Everyone was a beginner at one point.​ Even the teacher will make mistakes at times!

Closing Class

• ​Take the time to notice any difference in your body and mind in relation to what you noticed at the beginning of class.
• Thank yourself. You just did your first yoga practice and I'm betting it felt great. 
  ​

Departing Class

• If you've borrowed a mat, clean it will sanitizing wipes and replace the mat and any props back into the storage locker.
• Thank the teacher and ask any questions about the practice or find answers to confusing parts of the sequences. There may be another class afterwards so the conversation may be moved outside of the room.
• Drink lots of water to flush out the systems.
  ​

The Next Day

• ​Plan your next yoga class.
  ​