Beginners Should Heed A Few Rules Before First Yoga Class
So you've decided to enroll in a yoga class
So you've decided to enroll in a yoga class. Terriffic! You've made an important first step in joining a practice that can improve your body, your mind and your spirit. Enrolling in a yoga class is the perfect way to relieve your mind and body of stress and relax, as well as connect with other people who share your new-found enthusiasm.
But beginning students such as yourself must take that eagerness to begin and take it down a notch while you prepare yourself for the class experience. Many yoga classes have been going on for some time and have created a pattern and rhythm that is designed to give students the best possible experience. Before your begin your first yoga class, take a few moments to read some of these suggestions designed to help you enjoy your yoga experience from the first class into the future.
For starters, try not to eat for at least two hours prior to the class. Having a meal for going to a yoga class can cause cramps, nausea, discomfort, even vomiting, particularly when combined with the more vigorous yoga poses involving twists, bends and inverted positions. In addition, the energy your body needs to digest food can take away from the energy you'll need to perform yoga.
Try to get to your class no less than 10 minutes before it is scheduled to begin so you can get settled in and find a suitable spot. Getting to class late and trying to play catch-up can make it hard to calm down and settle in to the rhythm of the class. Getting to the class with plenty of time to relax, do some light stretching or chat with a friend for a few moments can help you get the most out of the class and put your in an open, calm state of mind.
On the other side of the coin, don't leave the class early. Unless it's an emergency, remain in the class until it is finished to avoid disturbing others.
Come to the class with a goal in mind. Do you want to use yoga to increase your flexibility and ease the strain on your muscles? Do you want to attend a yoga class to clear your mind of the stress that comes from work and home life? No matter what the reason, keep it in mind as your participate in the yoga class to put you in the right frame of mind to reach your goal.
Leave the cellphones at home. You may feel that you can't live without your portable device, be it a Blackberry, iPhone or even a pager. But the alerts and sounds they make, in addition to the conversation you may try to have on them, can disrupt people in the class. You may think you're keeping your voice down and not disturbing your classmates, but trust us, you're not. In short, leave the phone at home or at least turn it off.
Also, try not to carry on extended conversations with other classmates, or at least keep them to a minimum or wait until after class. You may be enthusiastic about finally mastering that new position, but save your self-congratulation for after the class when you can discuss it with your classmates.
Bring all of the things that you think you'll need for the class and have them handy yoga mat, towel, water, etc. By having everything you need near you during the class, you can avoid being a distraction by walking back and forth for water, your towel on the otehr side of the room, etc. By becoming a distraction, you prevent others in the class from getting the benefits of yoga. And when you're finished with your session, collect all of your belongings and take them with you. Another yoga class may need the space after your class is done.
If you are recuperating from an injury or have any doctor-recommended physical restrictions, let your instructor know before you begin the class. They can make a note to provide you with alternate exercises or poses that are more suited to your situation and alert you to poses that you should not perform.
While you may be excited to be in your first yoga class, don't go overboard. Perform only those poses that you can do without putting too much strain on your body. Your body will tell you what it can and cannot do. As you progress in the class, you will be able to do more intricate and complicated moves. But until you reach that point, take it easy.
Finally, open yourself to the experience of yoga. Because of its ability to bring the mind and the body into one, it can be like no other activity in which you have participated. Open yourself to the possibilities of yoga from the first class and you may be surprised at the transformation ahead.
Beginners Should Heed A Few Rules Before First Yoga Class
By: Linda Adams
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