We offer some tips for those who are just starting to practice yoga and are about to attend their first class. How can you make it as comfortable as possible for you? Here are ten ways to get the most out of your first yoga class.

  
 1.  Talk to the instructor before the class starts

If you arrive early, you will also find a few minutes to discuss any questions you may have with the instructor. Be sure to let them know that this is your first class and tell them about any injuries you have or have had. The instructor will tell you the basics you need to know during your first class, how to make your practice safe and comfortable.

 2. Don't compare yourself to others

This is your first yoga class and comparing yourself to that yoga legging girl who is deftly stretching in an asana is absolutely useless. One of the undeniable advantages of yoga is that it gives you the opportunity to look inside yourself and study your capabilities, limits and boundaries. When you compare yourself to someone, you lose this opportunity.

3. Use the experience of others

Try to learn from the experience of other students in the class. You may not know or understand what the instructor is saying, and the instructor will not demonstrate every pose and asana, but you can always watch what and how the students around you do. Your performance of the asana may not look like theirs, do not try to practice through force and pain. You may not know what a belt,  bolster or block is for, but the experience of others will help you quickly get the hang of it. This is your first class, if you do not know something, it means that everything is fine.

 4. Listen to yourself and your body

Yoga is not always comfortable, but it should never be painful. Don't overdo it, pay special attention to what your body feels. Learn to recognize discomfort and pain, to differentiate them. If you listen to your body, you will remain safe during practice, do not try to do asanas that you and your body are not ready for yet.  

5. If you are breathing, you are doing everything right.

It doesn’t matter if you can’t do a particular asana. If you breathe, you are already doing yoga! Breathing is the basis of yoga. Follow your breathing during yoga. Breathing can sometimes be intermittent, sometimes deep, sometimes relaxed. Observe your breathing throughout the entire practice.

7. Relax

The most important benefit of yoga is that it relieves tension and stress from the entire body. However, when you start doing yoga, you subconsciously begin to tense your body, especially your shoulders, arms, legs, fingers, tongue. The more you are aware and understand that your body is tense, the more effectively you will be able to relax. Control the tension and release it. This will allow you to get full return and enjoyment from the practice.

8. There's always Child's Pose

If you feel tired, uncomfortable, or just want to take a short break during class, this is what you need! Feel free to take the “child’s pose” at any time during practice, whether the teacher is there or not. Rest, even out your breathing, feel ready to continue, and continue!