Yoga Classes for Beginners: What Should You Expect?

Zero Gravity Fitness on November 4, 2019

Yoga classes can be a little intimidating for beginners. Many people feel that they are not flexible enough to hold the poses, which seem so difficult. The good news is that yoga is actually very accessible to everyone, whatever their fitness and skill levels. For beginners, it is important to find a studio, like Zero Gravity Fitness in Ocoee, FL, where you can feel comfortable and interact easily with instructors and other students.

Introducing Yoga: Harmonizing Mind And Body

Yoga is much more than physical fitness or impossible shapes to twist your body into. It’s an ancient practice developed India to bring mind and body into harmony and to promote overall wellbeing. Yoga has many physical and health benefits, such as improving flexibility and mobility, boosting metabolism and blood circulation, and providing mental focus.

Who Can Do Yoga?

One of the best things about yoga is that it is for everyone. You don’t have to be a gymnast or professional athlete to get started. No matter what your fitness and skill level, you can find a class that is right for you. There are also special yoga classes for seniors, for people recovering from injuries or accidents and for athletes. Most yoga poses and classes can be adapted for nearly everyone.

Yoga is a practice and not an event. Some teachers describe it as a journey, and a personal journey at that. You don’t have to be perfect on Day One and every single day after. What’s important is how you and your body respond to the poses and how you slowly gain control over body, mind and breath. This is the first step in gaining control over your life and goals.

Types Of Yoga

You’ll find that different studios offer many kinds of yoga classes. The variety and terminology can be a little confusing, and it helps to have an idea of what are the different styles of yoga are like.

Hatha

Hatha yoga is best for beginners. It is the classic style of yoga accessible to everyone and teaches the poses that can become the basis for other styles of yoga.

Yin

Yin, or restorative yoga, promotes flexibility and muscle relaxation.

Specialty Yogas

For building strength, you can choose Vinyasa flow yoga, or power or Ashtanga yoga. Bikram or hot yoga gives you a cardio workout, while Kundalini focuses on the spiritual side of yoga. Many studios also offer small group classes for specific types of yoga, for seniors or for those recovering from injuries.

As you progress further with your practice, you may find yourself drawn more and more to the philosophical and spiritual principles underlying yoga, and also focus on meditation. Many yoga students, in fact, go on to become teachers of the practice.

Starting Yoga Classes: What to Expect

With all the different types of yoga classes offers by various studios, how do you choose the one that’s right for you? Most yoga studios offer free consultations and free trial classes so you can get a feel for the surroundings, the instructors, and the other students. This is an important step because you should feel comfortable in the environment.

Yoga classes are typically offered in progression so you can build up your skills levels. Skill levels for each class are clearly defined, and instructors can help you make sure you’re enrolled in the right class. Many studios also offer other programs like lectures, healthy meals, discussions and mediation groups.

Beginners soon find that yoga is also very much about community, and most studios have a round of events to help students ease into the culture. These may include meditation, music, ceremonies and readings.

Your First Yoga Class

By now we hope you’re looking forward to your first yoga class and wondering how to prepare for it. You don’t need any special clothing so long as your clothes are loose-fitting and allow free movement. To start with, you’ll only need two pieces of equipment – a yoga mat and a towel.

There are a wide variety of yoga mats available, and you should pick one that provides cushioning and support as well as a good grip and stability. This can help reduce injuries due to pulled muscles or loss of balance. A towel is useful to dry off sweat so you don’t slip during poses.

Meditation

Even at the beginners’ level, mediation is an important part of the practice. Most yoga sessions begin with a sun salutation, which sets the intention. Beginners’ classes start with simple poses, and you can work at your own pace. Classes usually end with the relaxation pose. At the end of each session, too, there is a brief period of meditation to transition back to the everyday world.

The instructor will help you work on your form because holding a pose correctly provides the maximum benefits. Two things you have to focus on during each pose are your breathing and the position of your back muscles. It’s important to communicate with your instructor through each class so you can get the most out of each session.

Getting Started With The First Consultation

Though it might appear intimidating, yoga is for everyone. As you deepen your practice, you’ll find that you have more energy, more mental focus, and an overall feeling of well being that overflows into other areas of your life. Now that you’re ready to begin yoga classes, it’s time to call Zero Gravity Fitness in Ocoee, FL to schedule a free initial consultation.