What to Expect at Your First Yoga Class

Walking into your first yoga class is intimidating. You picture a room full of people folding in half while you can barely reach your knees.

In 12+ years of running Raw Power Yoga in Albion, I’ve seen that first class nerves are completely normal, and they disappear fast. Here’s what to expect at your first yoga class, so you can skip the nerves and just turn up.

Before you arrive

Book online through the timetable so your spot is held. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Parking is free. You’ll fill in a short form, meet your teacher and pick a spot.

Bring comfortable clothes you can move in, a water bottle and a towel. Mats are free to use at the studio. Eat lightly, ideally a couple of hours before.

Tell your teacher one thing

If you have an injury, a sore back, a recent surgery or you’re pregnant, tell your teacher before class. It takes ten seconds and they’ll give you options for the whole session.

What the class looks like

Every class runs for 60 minutes.

  1. Arriving. A few minutes of breathing to shift you out of work mode.
  2. Warming up. Gentle movement to loosen the spine and hips.
  3. The main work. Standing poses, balance and strength, linked to your breath.
  4. Winding down. Slower stretches on the floor.
  5. Rest. A few minutes lying still at the end. For a lot of people, this is the part they come back for.

The worries everyone has

“I’m not flexible.” You don’t need to be. Flexibility is something yoga builds, not a ticket to get in.

“Everyone will watch me.” They won’t. Everyone is focused on their own mat, and most of them are thinking about their own wobbly balance.

“I won’t keep up.” You don’t have to. Every class is designed for beginner to advanced, and you can rest whenever you need.

After your first class

You might feel loose, calm and a little tired. You might feel some muscles the next day. That’s normal.

One class feels good. The change comes from turning up regularly. Two or three classes a week for your first month is a great start. Want to see what regular practice does? Read I did yoga every day for 30 days. Not sure which class to choose? Read the best type of yoga for beginners.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a class?

60 minutes.

Do I need my own mat?

No. Mats are free at the studio.

Can I come if I’m unfit?

Yes. Every class is designed for beginner to advanced, and you can rest whenever you need.

Is yoga for men?

Absolutely we have alot of men coming into the studio and they can start with any of our classes.

Start here

Every class on our timetable suits beginners, so you can start with any of them. Flow Vinyasa and Yin are the gentlest way in. New students get 10 days unlimited yoga for $48, so you can try every style before you decide.

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