Thinking About Trying Yoga?

You’ve never set foot in a yoga class…and you aren’t sure what to expect? Well, I thought I’d give you the low-down before you get there. Here are the bare essentials that you need to know:

1. Try not to eat within 2 hrs of class. I seriously hear a lot of people worried about embarrassing bodily functions. If you don’t eat before class you’ll be fine.

2. Let's talk mats...Yoga is done barefoot on a yoga mat.

• My favorite mats are: The Liforme because it's grippy, made of natural rubber, cleans well, is a wider width for better shoulder health, and has alignment markers. It's an investment, but ...like a good pair of shoes...totally worth it IMO.  I recommend the Liforme especially for men because it's standard width is wider (to accommodate broader shoulders) and it is dense enough to provide padding for a heavier practitioner. Manduka Eko is a close second because it is also made out of natural rubber, is fairly grippy, is very durable and easy to clean. If your hands and feet get slippery during practice, then the Jade Harmony is your best bet.  Absolutely no slippage. If you get sweaty (I do sometimes…) Trust me, it’s worth the extra beans if you are going to make this a part of your life.  So many people rave about the Manduka PRO. I am personally not in that camp. Like the Liforme, it's standard size is also wider to accommodate men, and it also has the density to provide enough cushion for a heavier practitioner. My beef with the Manduka PRO is that it's not grippy enough...even after the so-called 'break-in' period they talk about. Not only that, but it will never breakdown...after you've sweated on it for the last 5 decades of your life, it's not something you'll pass along to the next generation. And, if you decide you don't like it...now you've spent a good chunk of change and added to the landfills.  

• Warning on cheap mats - If you're just testing the waters of yoga...you can buy a cheap yoga mat at Wal-Mart for $10 and something similar at Target for about $15. Be sure to wipe it down with soap and water and get all of the soap off…at least a whole 24 hrs before you are going to use it. If you don’t…you will be slipping and sliding all over the place if your hands and feet even think about sweating. Some of them even have a slimy oil on them from the manufacturing process. They don't have much padding, so be prepared for that. And don't get a thick one that seems like it has more padding...those are wobbly. The worst for beginners. 

3. Wear something that you are comfortable in and something that will cover you in all directions. You need not wear expensive high-tech spandex. Don’t wear a loose fitting T-shirt that will end up over your head in down dog. That can be a nuisance. 

4. Listen to the instructions given on how to move into the positions. It’s a lot like “Simon Says”. So, you don’t need to know the names of the poses or what they are supposed to look like. It’s that easy. It's better to keep your eyes on your own mat. 

5. Don’t worry about what you look like. It’s more important to know how you feel and how the poses feel. Yoga enhances proprioception (spatial body awareness), so if you are thinking about the external appearance, you are missing out on one of the many benefits of yoga. And FYI, nobody is looking at you newbie...you'll mess up their practice. (ha, ha...seriously though.)

6. Keep an open mind. You are probably capable of more than you know.

7. Fake it ’til you make it. Some of the breathing practices take a little time to figure out and may not come that easily. Some of the poses may seem inaccessible, but you have to try them in order to really find out. Not only that, but you will have to work at some poses before they actually happen for you. This is a normal fact of life, and of yoga.

8. Your connection to your breath throughout the practice is more important that achieving the pose.

9. Enjoy your savasana …the final relaxation is KEY. Oddly enough, just laying there in stillness is one of the most challenging poses in yoga for many people. (Not me….I am a natural at that one! And...it's okay to snore. LOL. That's the equivalent of asking for seconds at Grandma's house. It's a compliment for the instructor 😂)

10. Drink plenty of water AFTER class. You may have just finished a class that didn’t seem that challenging…but you could be really sore the next day. Yoga is funny like that. It can sneak up on you when you least expect it.

11. Regular practice is the only way to improve. It’s like any other physical exercise…the more you do it, the easier it gets!

 My full list of recommended products: