Knowledge is power. Forewarned is forearmed. Be prepared. Never take a knife to a gunfight. Okay, maybe not the last one, but you get the point. It makes sense to have as much information as possible about a new experience and that certainly applies to your first go at yoga - so grab a mat and let us key you in on what to expect.
Choose a style
Ashtanga. Hatha. Iyengar. Bikram. Kundalini. Not the latest Man City line-up but the various forms of yoga on offer. Do a little research beforehand to find out which style suits your physicality, needs and goals.
Don’t make a meal of it
Yoga is a series of twisting and rotary movements that often demands good flexibility and a strong core. Does that sound like something you should be doing on a Full English? Yogis are made in the kitchen so load up on fruits, nuts and natural yoghurt instead.
Chair pose
Has nothing to do with sitting in a chair.
The studio is a sanctuary
You’re about to enter a space unlike anything you’ve been in before. Think of it as a cross between a church, library and gym – only one that that smells of essential oils.
Be a back row rookie
From this vantage point you can follow the teacher and the rest of the class and attempt your first Warrior II without feeling watched.
Gear up
Leave the gym gear in your locker; your body is about to go around the bend
so make sure your warrior wardrobe conforms to the three S‘s:
stretchable, sweat-absorbent and safe for work.
Keep breathing
Hold the pose, not your breath. Familiarise yourself with pranayama (breathing methods) because both brain and body are going to need the oxygen if you’re going to make it through Wheelbarrow without collapsing.
Eyes front
There is such a thing as the yogic gaze. It’s called drishti and it should be used for staying focused on your practice not any pert posteriors in the class.
Savasana is the trickiest pose
Forget what you’ve heard about Warrior III. In reality, the pose that ends all yoga classes that looks like every one is having a nap is the hardest to master. That’s because it’s the quest for inner quiet not a time to run through your Top 5 favourite Pot Noodle flavours or figure out which one of the group is snoring.
Namaste.