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Do You want To Practice Yoga in Winter? 4 Tips and Advice for Cold Days
Winter is likely the least favourite season for many of us to practice yoga. As temperatures drop, I often receive messages from students asking how to practice yoga more comfortably during winter.
Practicing yoga during winter can help us cultivate self-love and alleviate winter depression. Here are my five pieces of advice for you. I hope it helps. Let's dive in.
Winter Yoga is the Best Time for Nourishing our Mind, Body and Soul.
Winter is the least favourite season for many of us to practice yoga. As temperatures drop, I often receive messages from students asking how to practice yoga more comfortably during winter.
For many of us, practising yoga during winter can be challenging, especially when warming the body seems almost impossible. Recognizing that we are part of nature, winter indeed offers us a perfect opportunity to nurture and care for our body and mind after your year round of hard work.
Practicing yoga during winter can help us cultivate self-love and alleviate winter depression. Here are my four pieces of advice for you. I hope it helps. Let's dive in.
4 Tips and Advice to Get the Best out of Yoga During Winter.
Tip 1: Refine Your Winter Practice Intentions - Take Time to Slow Down.
As the seasons change, we also experience changes within ourselves. During the summer, the weather is warm, our energy levels are high, and we are more inclined to engage in intense, sweat-inducing practices. In contrast, winter brings chilly weather and often lowers our energy levels. According to Eastern philosophies such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, this season is a period for maintenance and self-healing. It's an ideal time to focus on nurturing our minds and bodies, allowing us to build a strong foundation for the vibrant seasons that lie ahead.
Reset your intention to slow down and engage in practices that nourish your mind, body, and soul. Begin with lower-intensity movements that help generate body heat from within. Start by practising 6 to 12 rounds of Classical Sun Salutations, then focus on the Standing Hatha Yoga Sequence. Awakening your mind and body through conscious breathing and movement can enhance blood circulation throughout your body. Make nourishment the priority of your practice.
Tip 2: Take a warm shower, apply oils, and wear warm clothing to enhance warmth and mobility.
Many yogis find it helpful to take a warm bath or shower before practising yoga. This warms up the body from the outside in and softens the muscles, helping to prepare them for better performance in strength and mobility practice.
Another personal tip of mine is to apply body oil to the joints after a warm shower. I find it very nourishing to loosen the joints with the oil penetrating into those areas, aided by the heat from the shower.
After a warm shower and an oil massage, make sure to wear clothing that keeps you warm. Many of my students are accustomed to practising yoga in tank tops and shorts, but since it's winter, let's opt for something comfortable and warm instead. This way, we can get the most out of our practice.
Tip 3: Set Up Your Practice Space for Success - Warm It Up
If you have a heater in your house, I recommend turning it on 30 minutes before practice. After a warm shower, you can practice in a comfortable warm room right away. This helps you retain the heat you've generated from your shower or bath. For fresh air, keep the window open a little bit. If your space is too cold to leave the window open, keep it closed and consider getting some indoor plants to create a pleasant, oxygen-rich environment. My personal favourites are Peace Lilies and Snake Plants!
Tip 4. Sequence Your Practice Smartly - Listen to Your Body
If you regularly practice soothing and calming disciplines like Yin Yoga or Restorative Yoga, you may find it challenging to hold poses for an extended time during the cold winter months. There's nothing wrong with sticking to your regular practice, but you can adjust your sequence to better accommodate the conditions. Ensure that your body is activated enough to maintain longer-held poses, and make sure your environment allows you to stay in static postures comfortably without getting cold.
In my personal practice, in addition to Hatha Yoga, I also regularly practice Ashtanga Yoga. The Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga is my all-time favourite, especially in winter, because it energizes and elevates my mood. If you have never practised Ashtanga Yoga before, make sure to learn from an experienced teacher who can guide you through the physical and spiritual aspects of the practice. Of course, you can also learn with me; please fill in the Class Inquiry form so we can practise together.
Morning Yoga Can Be A Game Changer in Life.
As Ayurveda says, "How you start your day is how you are going to feel for the rest of the day." Even if you are not a fanatic of Ayurveda or Yoga, this statement is hard to disagree with. Starting the day with a yoga routine infuses us with the fountain of energy to lift the day and prepare us with the firm mindset to deal with whatever is going to happen on the way. With thousands of hours of teaching yoga under my belt, the best advice I have ever given to my students and clients is that you will never regret building a habit of starting your day with morning yoga. It is truly a Game Changer.
As Ayurveda says, "How you start your day is how you are going to feel for the rest of the day." Even if you are not a fanatic of Ayurveda or Yoga, this statement is hard to disagree with. Starting the day with a yoga routine infuses us with the fountain of energy to lift the day and prepare us with the firm mindset to deal with whatever is going to happen on the way. With thousands of hours of teaching yoga under my belt, the best advice I have ever given to my students and clients is that you will never regret building a habit of starting your day with morning yoga. It is truly a Game Changer.
Most of my students and clients are at the height of their careers, and fitting a yoga session into their busy days seems out of reach. Some may opt for a night class after long hours of day work, but it is only sometimes the best option since the physical and mental body are already very drained - the body is under low battery mode. We all know that health is wealth, and honouring our body with a well-balanced lifestyle is essential to keep us going. This dilemma of working hard for a career and working out for the body has the urgency to be resolved.
To work around this phenomenon, I suggest that my students prioritise yoga practice in the morning, which, for most of them, results in tremendous benefits for their well-being and other positive impacts revolving around their lives. Rather than saying "Benefits of Morning Yoga", I am more prone to describe it as the "Positive Side-Effect of Morning Yoga".
Some say life is an adventure, and some say it is a game, what do you think? Life is so interesting that one decision can lead you to the adventurous unknown. Imagine today, we all decide to do one thing right for our life every day; in 365 days, everything seems to be getting right altogether, not just for ourselves but also for the people and the community around us.
“Imagine today, we all decide to do one thing right for our life every day; in 365 days, everything seems to be getting right altogether, not just for ourselves but also for the people and the community around us.”
How does morning yoga work, and what are the positive side effects?
1. Lifestyle Change: Start small and make it your habit.
Most of the time, people overestimate the effort required to start practising yoga and think that a practice is only a practice when it takes at least 30 minutes or more.
I encourage my students to begin by dedicating just one day a week to practice, starting with a brief 15-minute session. Once you get used to practising for 15 minutes once a week, you can gradually increase the frequency to more days or extend the duration of your practice sessions. Take small steps and incorporate morning yoga into your daily routine. Just as we need to brush our teeth daily, we should also arrange a time to nurture the mind and body through yoga.
Looking back, when I first introduced morning yoga to my students as self-practice and morning sessions at the yoga studio, it was not a popular option. As time passed, the benefits of morning yoga stood the test of time. More and more students joined the tribe because they all realised how powerful it was for them to start their day energised with yoga practice. If countless others are already taking steps to improve themselves each day, what's stopping you from doing the same?
2. Mindset Shift: Let peace be the tone of your day.
The primary focus of morning yoga practice is connecting our body and mind with deep breathing to balance our nervous system. Conscious breathing helps balance our sympathetic nervous system (SNS, fight or flight) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS, rest and digest). We need to learn to respond to different situations wisely and avoid being overly stimulated by SNS, which can lead to overstress.
When we start the day in a rush and are overwhelmingly distracted by the outside world, our sympathetic system is actively stimulated, ready to protect and prepare us to fight or flight—even if we are not in acute danger.
Constant stress from the outside world can keep the fighting mode ON all the time, and morning yoga can help bring our system back to balance. In yoga practice, you return to the reservoir of your peaceful energy. Start with deep breathing awareness, scan your body, move, and let go of tension. Set your tone for the day at peace before reconnecting with the outside world. Deep breathing expands your lung capacity and, at the same time, soothes your nervous system. Even if the outside world is chaotic, a Peaceful state of mind guides you to respond calmly, bringing harmony to the workplace and the community. Be the first to make the change and spread Peace.
3. Physical Win: Better weight management with a healthy mindset
Regular yoga practice can help regulate your body weight, whether overweight or underweight, and it all starts with the right mindset towards your lifestyle. Before we validate this point, we should know that to attain an ideal healthy body weight is not merely about diet but a healthy mindset to see our life as a whole.
As mentioned earlier, morning yoga can help us set a peaceful tone for the day; with a peaceful worldview, we can make better life choices. For example, when we are not emotionally overwhelmed, emotional eating can be minimised, and eating disorders can be avoided.
Our body systems function better when we wake up regularly to work out.
The muscular system is trained with light body weight movement in yoga;
The nervous systems are calmer and at ease;
The cardiovascular system and respiratory systems benefit from deep breathing practices;
Digestive systems are aided with morning movement and function better;
The immune system is boosted when our stress hormones are at a healthy balance.
Ever since my students started to pick up morning yoga, most of them began to notice physical changes in one to three months, depending on their frequency of practice. It’s not just the change from the internal system but also reflected with more toned muscles, regulated body weight and shinning skin! Some of my students even look younger as they persist in morning yoga for over 6 months or more.
4. Willpower Up: Start your day with good energy instead of endless scrolling on your phone.
Getting out of bed right after waking up is a struggle, especially now we have that little digital device (our phone) to scroll with. Let's face it: how many days are you relying on "endless scrolling" to wake you up? Have you ever counted the minutes or hours you spent scrolling before "truly get out of bed"?
Trade that 15 minutes of scrolling for a quick morning yoga sequence can invite good blood flow for your whole body. Overcome the temptation to stay passively on content consumption or stay lazy in bed. Level up your willpower, get up immediately after the alarm and start practising yoga first thing in the morning.
A good yoga flow eases the stiffness stored over a long night's sleep. Kickstart your day with yoga mobility and strength practice, allowing blood to flow from head to toe, envigorating us from the inside out. Over time, build up the stamina of willpower to overcome other areas of life.
20-Min Morning Yoga - About This Yoga Sequence
This 20-minute morning yoga sequence mainly consisted of 9 yoga postures for beginner to intermediate level. The poses require more strength from the wrist. If you feel intense pressure or discomfort from the wrist, seek professional guidance. Alternatively, you can join my 4-Week Foundation Yoga Course - a solid foundation is the shortcut to success.
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Sessions per week: 2-3 times per week
Time of day: Best in the morning or any other time.
Types of exercises: Beginner Yoga, Simple Stretching, Basic Strength
Tools needed: Optional to have one yoga block or thick book.
Note that your safety is our priority. If you have a long-term illness, stress, or uncertain conditions, please consult a doctor or professional before attempting any practices.
Sequence Details: Nine Poses to Practice for Morning Yoga
Let’s break down the Nine Key Yoga Poses from this sequence. For details, please practice along with the YouTube Video, or join my in-person or online class to learn more tailored adjustments for your unique needs.
Pose 1: Spinal Extension
Morning Yoga Pose One: Spinal Extension
Spinal Extension is a simple exercise. Inhale, extend the arms towards the ceiling and exhale arms down. Repeat for 5 to 10 rounds.
The benefit of spinal extension is to wake up our spine after long hours of sleep at night, opening the space between each vertebrae. Synchronizing the movement with the breath draws in fresh oxygen into our lungs, waking up every cell inside our body.
Pose 2: Forward and Backward Bend
Forward and Backward Bend is a deepening version of Spinal Extension. Inhale, arms up and open your chest; exhale, dive forward into a forward bend. Repeat for around 5-10 rounds.
The benefit of this pose is that it allows full front and back body stretching. The movement is accompanied by breath and proper alignments, giving the body an opportunity to kick-start mobility right in the morning.
Pose 3: Plank Pose (Sanskrit: Phalakasana)
Pose 3: Plank Pose (Sanskrit: Phalakasana)
The plank pose is no stranger to everyone and is one of the most essential poses in the Vinyasa Yoga Family.
It is an excellent pose for training and toning all body muscles. Whether held statically or as part of movement practice, plank challenges endurance and willpower.
It is also one of the best poses for body weight management. If your goal is to lose weight or increase muscle mass, it is a great pose you don’t want to miss from your routine.
Pose 4: Cat Cow (Viralasana) | Benefits for Spine and Shoulders
Cat Cow (Viralasana) is a typical pose for most practice. It’s a foundational yet powerful yoga pose for spinal health. The movement in the pose opens the space between each vertebral joint, promoting greater spine mobility from the neck to the lower back. The movement also stretches the muscles around the spine. Synchronise the movement with the rhythm of the breath to promote deeper concentration and relaxation of the mind and body.
Pose 5: Core Crunch
Pose 5: Core Crunch
This is a variation of Plank Pose with a stronger core-strengthening effect. Core-crunching pose is a combined movement that requires full-body strength, core engagement, and mobility. Regular practice of Core-Crunching Pose can tone the muscles and enhance full-body mobility.
Pose 6: Revolved Lunge Pose (Sanskrit: Parivrtta Anjaneyasana)
Lunging is the foundation of this pose. The twisting movement in this pose can stretch the back muscles and also press the abdomen region to massage the intestine. If you easily get constipated, adding twisting postures in the morning can benefit you, facilitating the body's detoxification process.
Pose 7: Puppy Pose (Sanskrit: Uttana Shishosana)
Pose 7: Puppy Pose (Sanskrit: Uttana Shishosana)
Puppy Pose helps to fully extend the spine and stretch the shoulders. Regular practice can help restore a healthy spinal curve and open the chest, countering the effects of hunching. It also stretches and opens the shoulders, which benefits those with tight shoulders.
Pose 8: Cobra Pose (Sanskrit: Bhujangasana)
The Cobra Pose is excellent for stretching the back muscles along the spine and allows good chest expansion to open the upper front body region. If you live a sedentary lifestyle and spend a lots of time on screen-based activities (i.e. working at the office, checking out cell phone), Cobra is a great pose to help combat daily bad postures. The benefits of cobra pose include the following,
Pose 8: Cobra Pose (Sanskrit: Bhujangasana)
Enhance full body flexibility.
Exercise and strengthen back muscles.
Stretches and expands the chest and ribs to enhance breathing capacity.
Gently press the abdomen to massage the internal organs.
It may help reduce and relieve menstrual discomfort.
Pose 9: Seated Forward Bend (Sanskrit: Paschimottanasana)
Pose 9: Seated Forward Bend (Sanskrit: Paschimottanasana)
Seated forward can stretch the entire body from the legs to the back. To learn more about the proper alignments of Seated Forward Bend, please refer to the article listed below.
Conclusion
Morning Yoga can be a game changer in one’s life, positively impacting our Lifestyle Change, Mindset Shift, Physical Win and Willpower Up. The 9 Key Yoga Poses for Morning Yoga include the following,
Spinal Extension
Forward and Backward Bend
Plank Pose (Sanskrit: Phalakasana)
Cat Cow (Viralasana)
Core Crunch
Revolved Lunge Pose (Sanskrit: Parivrtta Anjaneyasana)
Puppy Pose (Sanskrit: Uttana Shishosana)
Cobra Pose (Sanskrit: Bhujangasana)
Seated Forward Bend (Sanskrit: Paschimottanasana)
Practice with CloudC Yoga on YouTube, or join my Online Yoga Class for more personalised practice. See you soon!
Five Yoga Tips for Women During Menstruation
This article offers tips for women practicing yoga during their menstrual cycle. It covers poses to avoid, gentle yoga practices, and the importance of listening to your body. With this advice, women can maintain their yoga practice during menstruation and connect with their inner selves.
Today, let’s talk about yoga for women during menstruation. Many wonder whether or not to practice yoga during menses and what to do and avoid. There’s never one absolute formula for everyone because women experience their periods differently. Over my decade of teaching and practising yoga, I have come up with the following Five suggestions, which seem to apply to most of my students.
I hope these five tips also help you with your yoga practice during this particular time of the month,
Tips One - Yoga poses to avoid.
During menstruation, the general rules of practice are to avoid inversion, deep twisting, deep forward bend, back bending, core strengthening or any poses that may pressure your lower abdomen. Take a break from poses such as Headstand (Sirasana), Wheel Pose (Urdhva Dhanurasana) and Crow Pose to avoid menstrual-related discomfort.
Tips Two - Avoid demanding yoga practices during heavy blood flow days.
During heavy blood flow days, avoid practices that are required to be more intense, such as vinyasa flow, inversion and arm balancing. Instead, seek sequenced classes to offer you more profound relaxation and reconnect with your inner self.
Tips Three - Keep it gentle.
I understand how great it is to keep up your daily practice, and most yogis feel like keeping their yoga practice up during periods (even heavy flood days).
We all agree that yoga gives us more energy, but on special days, choose something gentle. Your top priority in practising yoga at this time should be focusing on soothing your mind and body.
Tips Four - Listen to your body.
The most important thing is to listen to your body. Our bodies change daily, and there’s so much going on during our moon cycle; hormonal changes, mood swings, and other physical symptoms can make us feel more vulnerable than at different times. Embrace it, and treat yourself better.
Tips Five - Class theme suggestions during the period.
When deciding which class to enrol, consider the following theme during your period,
Yoga does not intend to push hard but to nourish our mind, body, and soul. Listen to your body and choose what feels best for you; even resting is a good practice!
Conclusion
In conclusion, practising yoga during menstruation can be a challenging experience, but it can also be an opportunity to connect with your body, mind, and soul on a deeper level. By following the tips mentioned above, you can take care of yourself during this time and make the most of your yoga practice. Remember to listen to your body, avoid demanding poses, and choose gentle yoga practices focusing on relaxation and nurturing your inner self. With these tips in mind, you can continue enjoying yoga's many benefits during your menstrual cycle.
7 Things Beginners Should Know About Yoga
Like all kinds of exercise, Yoga is for everyone, regardless of age, sex, or fitness background, provided you are well-versed in your physical condition. I've compiled a list of the top seven questions my beginner students often ask and what they wish they had known before starting Yoga. If you're considering starting Yoga, I hope this article provides some helpful insights.
You came across this article probably because you've been thinking about "doing some yoga". However, before diving into any new practice, it's essential to do your research and understand what you're getting into.
I've compiled a list of the top seven questions my beginner students often ask and what they wish they had known before starting Yoga. If you're considering starting Yoga, I hope this article provides some helpful insights.
The 7 Things Beginners Should Know Before Practising Yoga cover the following,
Who can do yoga? Am I too old to start yoga?
Am I too stiff to do yoga?
Can I start yoga without a prior fitness background?
What is the best class for a beginner to start learning Yoga?
How often should I practice yoga to benefit from it?
Is it okay to do my private yoga class online if I am a beginner?
Can I do yoga if I am pregnant or during menstruation?
1. Who can do yoga? Am I too old to start yoga?
Like all kinds of exercise, Yoga is for everyone, regardless of age, sex, or fitness background, provided you are well-versed in your physical condition. Yoga is a comprehensive practice that cares for your mental, physical and spiritual health. As humans, we all need it.
Typically, during a 60 to 90-minute session, you'll engage in breathing exercises (pranayama), yoga postures (asana), meditation, and deep relaxation (savasana). Yoga classes cater to various needs, such as healthy ageing, stress relief, prenatal Yoga, and women's health. Please ask the teacher for guidance if you need clarification about what class to join based on age or physical condition.
Over the past decade, I have taught Yoga to beginners from different age groups, ages 20+ to 80+. Every class I taught was explicitly designed based on the participants, so asking the teacher may be the best way for you to pick the suitable class.
Each yoga posture (asana) can be modified to cater to individual needs.
2. Am I too stiff to do yoga?
No one is ever too stiff or flexible to practice Yoga because a proper yoga practice brings the body back to its most balanced condition.
My students often ask me this question, especially those new to Yoga and intimidated by its "stretchy image". It's important to understand that Yoga is not just about being extremely flexible but rather about finding balance in our bodies to improve our overall well-being. Interestingly, if you have tight hips, shoulder tension, or experience physical discomfort due to tightness, you will benefit more from Yoga than naturally flexible ones.
A practitioner with limited flexibility can gain advantages by enhancing their range of motion. At the same time, highly flexible people can benefit from increasing their strength through Yoga practice. Therefore, regardless of their level of flexibility, anyone can begin practising Yoga. It is important to establish our intention of achieving a more balanced self in terms of physical, mental, and spiritual aspects through Yoga.
3. Can I start yoga without a prior fitness background?
Absolutely! The answer is definitely yes! Numerous individuals, ranging from 20 to 80 years old, start on their Yoga journey without any prior fitness training. Yoga is undoubtedly one of the finest ways to begin your fitness journey, even without previous experience.
Yoga poses greatly emphasise alignment, enabling you to understand every aspect of your body better. If you have led a sedentary lifestyle, you may need to familiarise yourself with the functioning and coordination of your muscles and joints. Beginner yoga will benefit you as it acquaints you with the fundamental postures encompassing the essential elements of your physical being.
By gaining a deeper understanding of your body, you can also explore various physical activities like hitting the gym, trying pilates, or other disciplines that pique your interest. In conclusion, try Yoga if you want to kickstart your fitness journey and have yet to be active. You're more than welcome to begin your workout adventure now!
4. What is the best class for a beginner to start learning Yoga?
The best way for a beginner to start Yoga is to learn directly with a teacher in a private class, either in-person or online. Although private classes may be more expensive than group classes, the advantages are truly transformative.
Starting your yoga journey with personalised 1-on-1 sessions sets a strong base for your practice. With individualised attention, your teacher can tailor the training to suit your needs and abilities. Each person is unique, and in a private class, you can focus on the safest techniques for your body. Building a solid foundation is crucial in avoiding injuries in the future.
By learning with a qualified teacher who can correct and inspire you, you learn more about yourself than in a group setting. Yoga is known for its inclusivity, and each yoga posture (asana) can be modified to cater to individual needs. Taking private yoga lessons as a beginner can teach you how to adapt poses according to your specific condition. This will help you feel more confident and prepared when you join group classes, as you will already have the knowledge to practice safely!
When looking for a qualified yoga teacher, ensuring that the teacher teaches regularly and has a wealth of experience is essential. Putting your health in an experienced teacher's hands is the top priority.
5. How often should I practice yoga to benefit from it?
Regular practice is essential when it comes to Yoga! It's more beneficial to have short and consistent sessions (15-20 minutes) rather than long sessions (60 minutes or more) once in a while.
Here's a suggested Week Plan that I often recommend for my beginner students during the initial practice period,
Have a 60-minute private session with your teacher.
Aim for two to three 15-25 minute self-practice sessions to keep your body moving.
The initial period depends on individual physical conditions and daily schedules. It's important to follow your schedule naturally without pushing yourself too hard. Remember, rest should always come first when it comes to staying healthy. Make sure to talk to your teacher to devise the best plan!
6. Is it okay to do my private yoga class online if I am a beginner?
If your favourite teacher lives far from you, opting for online classes can be a great choice in today's world. With the increasing popularity of online Yoga, numerous yoga instructors have adapted to teaching it virtually. As long as your teacher can provide clear instructions and demonstrations, it's worth trying. The advantage of practising online is that you have a wider selection of teachers, making it easier to find the perfect fit.
Of course, if you can schedule an in-person class with your favourite teacher, that's ideal!
7. Can I do yoga if I am pregnant or during menstruation?
You can continue practising Yoga during pregnancy (except for the first three months) and menstruation, just like any other exercise. However, having enough knowledge and practice and seeking guidance from an experienced teacher is important.
This article does not provide a comprehensive overview of Yoga during pregnancy and menstruation, but you can use the following information as a reference,
Yoga during menstruation: Avoid inverted postures, intense twists, and backbends. Instead, focus on a gentle practice with supported forward bends and restorative postures. Pay attention to your body's needs and prioritise rest, especially during heavy flow days.
Yoga During Pregnancy: Many women find Yoga to be a wonderful experience during pregnancy. However, avoiding Yoga during the first three months is recommended. It is crucial for pregnant women to follow specific modifications, so it's best to practice under the guidance of an experienced teacher.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Yoga is a practice that offers countless benefits for our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. It's never too late to start your Yoga journey, regardless of your age, flexibility, or fitness background. As a beginner, it's essential to do your research, ask questions, and find a qualified teacher who can guide you through the practice. Remember that Yoga is a personal journey, and each individual's needs and abilities are unique. By starting with a solid foundation through personalised 1-on-1 sessions, you can build your confidence and prepare yourself to join group classes. So, take the first step, and begin your Yoga journey today!
Disclaimer: The content on this channel is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. Please get in touch with your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding your medical conditions.
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Attending your first yoga class - what you should prepare and know
Attending yoga class for the first time could be intimidating to many people. The excitement somehow mixes with fears and strange overthinking scenarios in the mine. Fortunately, we are writing this article here to soothe your nerve.
You probably struggle with the followings,
What clothes should I wear?
Do I need to bring anything to attend the yoga class?
Any Yoga Class etiquette I need to be aware of as a first-timer.
My body is so stiff and tight. Should I still attend the class?
What can I do if I need a break during the class? Is there any resting pose I can do?
Get excited, get prepared, and get enough sleep before attending your first class.
Attending yoga class for the first time could be intimidating to many people. The excitement somehow mixes with fears and strange overthinking scenarios in the mind. Fortunately, we are writing this article here to soothe your nerve.
You probably struggle with the followings,
What clothes should I wear?
Do I need to bring anything to attend the yoga class?
Any Yoga Class etiquette I need to be aware of as a first-timer.
My body is so stiff and tight. Should I still attend the class?
What can I do if I need a break during the class? Is there any resting pose I can do?
OK. Are you ready to find the answers? Keep reading, and get your first class prepared.
1. What Should I wear to the yoga class?
Although people perceive yogis nowadays tend to wear trendy leggings, this is not the case in reality. It is not compulsory to wear tight leggings, especially when you have just started practising yoga. It is more practical to feel comfortable throughout the 60-90 minutes of yoga class.
2. Do I need to bring anything to attend the yoga class?
Prepare for Sweats
Grab your towel and water bottle!
Usually, when you are attending a studio class, standard yoga tools are provided - yoga mats, yoga blocks, straps, bolster etc. Just in case, you may give a quick call to the studio and see if you need to bring your gears.
Tips: Consider bringing a face towel in case you sweat during class; a bottle of water could be helpful when you need a sip.
3. Any Yoga Class etiquette to be aware of for first-timer?
Respect is universal etiquette
Respect the atmosphere, and stay quiet if the environment presents its tranquillity.
First, we need to know that there is no absolute yoga class etiquette. Yoga is a "world culture" nowadays, and all yoga studios have their unique community and culture.
Just bear in mind "Respect" is universal etiquette. Respect the atmosphere, and stay quiet if the environment presents its tranquillity. Respect everyone in the class, the teacher, the classmates and even the supporting staff in the studio. Respect the practice, learn and understand before giving up. Respect your own body, and never push yourself too hard.
Tips: Sometimes the mobile phone is not allowed to be brought into the class, check with the staff beforehand. If allowed, do remember to turn off or mute your phone, not interrupt during the class, and stay focused on your own practice.
4: My body is so stiff and tight. Should I still attend the class?
Yoga welcomes everyone to onboard.
Flexible, stretchy and robust yogis exist, but this is not the "definition" of yoga. Yoga goes deep from body to mind and mind to the soul. Just like your own life, the practice of yoga is a journey in that only you have the right to decide whether you should go for it or not.
It's scary to imagine yourself doing a yoga split for the first time. Still, it is always approachable when you pick up a beginner class to start. Understand the basic breathing techniques, learn beginner yoga poses, and even learn the art of relaxation. Get excited about what you will experience from a yoga class, don't threaten yourself away from horrible imaginations in your mind.
Tips: Yoga welcomes everyone to onboard. There is always a class that serve different needs - hatha yoga, yoga therapy, restorative yoga, beginner yoga, yoga stretching etc. Give a call to the studio or your yoga teacher, share your thoughts and ask for class advice. Don't feel shy to ask. People in the yoga world are always eager to help!
5. What can I do if I need a break during the class? Is there any resting pose I can do?
You are always welcome to take a break at any point in the class..
The sequence could be with a bit of everything in a group class setting, and not everyone feels good to follow All Yoga Pose. There will be times when you feel exhausted to follow through, feel pain or experience potential injuries that might not be ideal for your body.
Tips: Yoga teaches us to be mindful and always listen to our bodies. You are always welcome to take a break at any point in the class. If you need a small break, go ahead do Child Pose (a.k.a. Balasana). You can stay in Child Pose for a minute or two. However, if you are experiencing physical fatigue and need support, please raise it to your teacher.
We hope these five pieces of advice help you with your first-time yoga class. Get excited, get prepared, and get enough sleep before attending your first class. Comment below. We are thrilled to hear about your first-time yoga class experience! Namaste!