New to Yoga? Do's and Don't for Class!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
New to Yoga? Do's and Don't for Class!
3
Mon, 09-12-2005 - 12:12pm

Yoga Class Dos and Don'ts


Use these tips to get the most out of the yoga classes you attend.


By Tim Noworyta


Yoga Do's and Don'tsHere are some ways to get more out of the yoga classes you attend:


DO arrive early. Getting to class about 10 minutes early can help you settle in and align your attitude with the purpose of the class. While you're waiting you can practice a pose, do a few stretches, or just sit or lie quietly, breathe, and get centered.


DON'T eat for two or three hours before class. If you practice yoga on a full stomach, you might experience cramps, nausea, or vomiting, especially in twists, deep forward bends, and inversions. Digesting food also takes energy that can make you lethargic.


DO let your teacher know about injuries or conditions that might affect your practice. If you are injured or tired, skip poses you can't or shouldn't do, or try a modified version.


DO create an intention. To help you focus, you might find it helpful to dedicate your practice to a certain intention. This might be to become more aware and understanding, more loving and compassionate, or healthier, stronger, and more skillful. Or it might be for the benefit of a friend, a cause—or even yourself.


DON'T bring pagers or cell phones to class. Leave socializing and business outside the studio, so the peace of the practice is not disturbed.


DO be quiet. It's great to share a class with people you know, but it can be distracting to yourself and others to have an extended or loud conversation.


DO bring a towel or your own mat if you sweat a lot, and arrive clean and free of scents that might distract or offend others.


DON'T push it. Instead of trying to go as deeply or completely into a pose as others might be able to do, do what you can without straining or injuring yourself. You'll go farther faster if you take a loving attitude toward yourself and work from where you are, not from where you think you should be.


DO pick up and neatly put away any props you use.


DON'T enter class late or leave early; it's disruptive to others.


DO take time afterwards to think about what you did in class, so you can retain what you learned. Review the poses you practiced, and note any instructions that particularly made sense. Even if you remember just one thing from each class, you'll soon have a lot of information that can deepen your own personal practice.


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003

You know I love doing my 'Candlelight Yoga' tape, and the presenter on it is very good-- compared to others I've tried. The points in the article you posted and well worth thinking about for someone who is new to doing any sort of Yoga!


Thanks-

~IslandGirl


Moderation IS Key


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2005

I have another Don't - from personal experience!

Don't eat 3 bean chili for lunch on the day of the yoga class. I made this fatal mistake before going to my very first yoga class a few years ago. I was so proud of myself for making such a wonderful lunch decision, I didn't think what would happen a few hours later as I twisted myself into a variety of positions. I was SO embarrassed I never went back to that class. Happily, it was in a church basement a few towns from here and I didn't know anyone!

I have gone to a few classes since then, but find that I'm more relaxed at home and I know a lot of poses, so I can just design my own practice. I go now and then to learn more or refresh my memory, but everytime I go, I think of that AWFUL night, and either laugh or get really uncomfortable.
Karen

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003

ROFL


Karen, I think that little tip deserves to be at the TOP of the Do's and Don'ts list!!!