Taking Your First Yoga Class? Here's What You Do (and Don't) Need 

You’ve glimpsed mat-toting, athleisure-wearing students emerge from a yoga studio. You’ve watched countless Instagram reels of people making incredible shapes with their bodies and moving fluently in between them. Perhaps you’ve even practiced Child’s Pose, Cat-Cow, or Downward-Facing Dog during your favorite exercise class (even if the instructor doesn’t call them that). Now, you’re ready.

Still, the question might be hanging over your head: what, if anything, do you actually need before you start yoga? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is muuuch less about external things than a willingness to explore how you show up in situations that might surprise you (exactly like yoga itself).

6 Things You Do (And Don’t) Need Before You Start Yoga

The only thing you actually need before you start yoga is your curiosity to try something new. Additionally, the following tips can help prepare you before stepping onto the mat so you get the most out of your initial experience.

1. You Don’t Need to Be Flexible

Despite what you’ve seen on Instagram, yoga isn’t about putting your body in seemingly impossible positions. “Flexibility isn’t a requirement,” says Kim Richardson, yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist. “Don’t feel the need to push for poses or to keep up with the group.”

“You also don’t have to do everything in the yoga class!” says Harpinder Mann, yoga and meditation teacher and mindfulness educator. You can always opt to take a break instead of coming into a pose.

And if you’re concerned about what you might be asked to do, don’t be afraid to speak up before class. “I always encourage students to introduce themselves to the teacher and, if needed, let them know about any conditions or injuries you are working with,” says Mann.

2. You Don’t Need a Mat

No, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a yoga mat. In fact, it’s wise to spend some time practicing yoga before you invest money in your own yoga props. Although you will need a mat during class, most studios have mats that you can rent or use for free to see what you like before buying anything.  You can also test drive a studio’s bolsters, blocks, and blankets.

However, there are inexpensive mats that some beginners find useful, particularly if you want to practice at home and/or if communal props just aren’t your thing. In Yoga Journal’s review of the best yoga mats for literally everyone, beginners favored the Gaiam Premium 5mm for its thickness, grippiness, and relatively low price point.

3. You Do Need to Trust Yourself

You may not know a ton about yoga (yet!), but that doesn’t mean that you aren’t an expert at being you. “Enter the space knowing that you are the wisest person when it comes to knowing how you feel in your own body,” says Richardson.

Only you know what’s right and wrong for you in any yoga class. “The yoga teacher is there for guidance, but honoring your own inner knowing is what’s really important,” says Richardson. For instance, it’s okay to opt out of practicing every pose or breathwork technique or let the instructor know when you’re uncomfortable.

If you’re attending an in-person class, gauge whether the overall vibe aligns with what you’re looking for. “Notice the intangibles,” says Richardson. “Is the space welcoming? Is it inclusive? Is the teacher encouraging? Are you glad you showed up in the space? Be aware of your initial response. It can be very informative.”

4. You Do Need a Beginner’s Mind

Yes, it can be scary—and exhilarating!—to start something new. But you can’t do yoga wrong. “There’s no perfection in yoga,” says Richardson.

Like learning a new language, it’s a skill that you practice, says Mann. “Give yourself time, patience, grace, and compassion as you begin to practice. You are truly invited to come practice and study just as you are.”

There’s a saying in yoga about having a “beginner’s mind,” which means we remain curious as we approach any situation rather than fearful or judging. “A beginner’s mind is a beautiful way to approach anything new we might be undertaking,” says Mann.

To say it simply?  “There’s no perfection in yoga,” adds Richardson.

5. You Do Want to Find What Works for You

There are tons of different yoga styles, studios, and instructors, each with their own unique approaches to the practice. You may not vibe with the first class you go to—and that’s okay.

“I encourage beginners to try out different yoga classes until they find a style, teacher, and community that resonates with them,” says Mann. “Find a yoga teacher that is warm, non-judgmental, welcoming, and makes you feel brave enough to be a beginner.”

That might take time. Explore all your options. You don’t need to find the “perfect” class for you right off the bat. Maybe you practice along with a YouTube video, or Google whether your gym or local library offers intro to yoga classes.

Maybe it’s an option for you to work privately with a teacher your first few times. “Beginner students sometimes feel more comfortable working with a yoga teacher one-on-one to learn the foundations and basics before going into a group class,” explains Mann. She also notes that some beginner students simply prefer a private setting.

6. You Do Need to Learn What Yoga Is

A common misconception about yoga is that it’s solely about physical movement (known as asana). Although that’s what most yoga classes typically involve,  it’s actually an entire philosophy and way of life.

“Asana is not about perfecting postures or attaining the perfect shape,” says Mann. “Ultimately, asana aims to empower us to use our bodies with intention and awareness, allowing us to be fully present in the moment.” The idea is that everything you practice in class translates to everything you do in life.