5 Ways to Prepare for your First Yoga Class
- Reem Abdullatif
- Nov 5, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 12, 2021

The thought of trying yoga for the first time can be pretty intimidating for a lot of people. "I'm not flexible. What if I laugh? Is this pose even possible? I might look stupid." and a million other thoughts might be running through your head.
Even after practicing yoga for 10 years, and becoming a teacher myself, I still feel uneasy about attending a new class or a workshop with a new teacher or in a new location.
Here are my top 5 tips to get through your first yoga class.

This varies for each of us, but as a rule of thumb give yourself a couple of hours between your last meal and the start of your yoga class. You don't want to feel full and heavy, or super hungry. If you picked a class that falls around your usual meal time, try snacking on some fruits to sustain you until after class.

Drink plenty of water before and after class, but not during. Unlike a regular workout class, traditional yoga teachers don't encourage students to drink water during the practice (more on this later), so try to avoid it if you can.

This is about feeling good, not looking good. Wear clothes that are comfortable and easy to move in. I find the more worn-in and pre-loved they've been, the better. The choice between loose-fitting or form-fitting depends on your preference as well as the practice. Since this is your first class, choose clothes that don't restrict your movement.

Give yourself enough time to get to class, beat traffic, make some wrong turns, and find a parking spot. If you're coming straight from work and need to get changed, factor that in too. Most studios will also require some form of registration for new students. Give yourself a little extra time so you're not stressed.
What if your first class is a private? Well, you'll be at home without the stress of traffic and the other stuff but I'd still recommend you prepare your space. Find a clean and clutter-free spot to roll out your mat, and maybe experiment with the lighting, music and temperature. You'll want to be as relaxed as possible when the class starts, not rushing to jump in.

Switch off or silence your phone and other devices, and preferably put them away where you can't see or hear them. If you're taking a class at home, make sure your family or roommates know that you don't want to be interrupted and get your kids settled with a spouse or a nanny. Yoga is more than a physical exercise, so create the time and space to go deeper into your practice.
Leave a comment below to let me know if you found this post helpful.
Ready to take the plunge into your first yoga class? Find out more about my private yoga classes for beginners.
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