How to Prepare for Your First Yoga Class

It's natural for beginners to feel a little nervous before their first yoga class, but knowing exactly what to expect can put anxious minds at ease. Here, we've answered all of beginner yogis' most common questions so that you can arrive to your first class feeling prepared and fearless.

 If you already have a mat, great! But if not, most studios rent them out for a dollar or two per class. This is a great option if you don't want to invest in a mat or aren't yet sure what kind to buy.

 As you start to frequent yoga classes more regularly, you'll probably want to have a mat of your own. You can find inexpensive mats that totally do the job for around $15 online or at sporting goods stores. Look for one that's 5mm thick and PVC-free (which is a toxic plastic). As mats go up in price they go up in quality, too. Higher prices mean environmentally-friendly materials, durability, and mats non-slip surfaces.

 Don't feel like you have to wear skin-tight spandex to yoga. It's more important that you feel comfortable. If that means sweats and a t-shirt, go for it! Tight yoga clothes are just a fad, although they do have a couple advantages. They give the body room to move and twist without clothing getting in the way, and allow the teacher to make sure you have correct alignment in the yoga postures.

 If you're taking a Bikram, vinyasa or Ashtanga class, prepare to sweat and dress accordingly. It's always a good idea to brings socks and a sweatshirt no matter what kind of class you're going to, as it's important to keep the body warm during the last few minutes spent in final relaxation.

 It's a nice idea to have a bottle of water waiting for you when you finish class, but you won't need it while you're practicing unless the studio is heated.

 Yogis recommend practicing yoga on an empty stomach. This means not eating anything heavy for the 2 hours before class, and not drinking much water in the half hour before either. Sipping on water during class also becomes a distraction for you and those around you, and yoga's meant to teach us to focus!

 No problem! Yoga isn't for the flexible; it just happens to make people flexible. In fact, flexibility is merely a side effect of its greater spiritual pursuits.

 Your teacher will help you to modify postures as needed. This might involve the use of props like blocks, straps or bolsters; or simply easing off the intensity of a pose. There's no shame in adaptation. Yoga is not a competition with others, nor with yourself!

  The beauty of yoga is that you can not be the worst one in class. Yoga is in no way a competition. It's a personal journey; a solo practice that might just happen to be done with others in the same room. This means it's not possible to be bad or good at yoga.

 Yoga is not about how deeply you backend or how well you balance on your head. It's about teaching the mind stillness and focus. Remember this throughout class, and you won't feel better or worse than any other yogis in the room.

 No matter how physically fit you are, it's best to start off in a Level 1/Beginners class. You'll learn correct alignment, breathing, and all the basics of yoga that will really give you a beneficial practice.

 You might feel ready to try a Level 2/Intermediate class after a few months or a few years. And once you've been practicing for many years, you might feel more comfortable in a Level 3/Advanced class. There's really no rush when it comes to yoga.