my first yoga
class
a beginners’
tool kit
By Anastasia Yatras
“What do I need to
bring?”
Coming to Class. Fear
and Doubt.
When students first ask me, it is
often in the context of whether
to bring a mat or what sort
of clothing to wear. However,
underneath the surface, there
may be all other sorts of other
questions left un asked.
My personal experience of my
initial Yoga class was indeed
unsettling! People were doing
bizarre “stretches”. The teacher
was sometimes silent. At other
times, she would speak a curious
language (Sanskrit) as she called
the traditional names of the
poses. She would say curious
things as she instructed us. (
“Extend the inner skirt of the
heel”?). I saw my life flash before
my eyes as I attempted my first
handstand. I waited for the
teacher to suddenly morph into
the leader of a cult.
“Am I too fat, thin, old, inflexible,
un co-ordinated, unfit, uncool??
to start Yoga?”
Here is a mini tool box of
attitudes and approaches for the
mind and heart, that can help
break down unhelpful beliefs.
Why? In order to de mystify the
process of going to Yoga for
the first time so that you can
experience all the gifts Yoga has
to offer you.
20
Fortunately, none of these fears
were realised. Confusion with
time, developed into clarity. Or, at
least a curiosity about what I still
wasn’t getting!
Tools.
You walk a fine line between
courage and caution when
entering your first Yoga class as a
Beginner.
Here are some tips to get you
going safely and joyfully.
#1. Always work within your
capacity.
#2. Do your optimum, not your
maximum.
#3. Be aware of extreme
sensations. If the intensity
doesn’t subside, ease yourself
out of the pose. On the other
hand, a good “stretchy” sensation
is telling you, you can continue in
the pose.