13 Simple Things You Need to Know Before Your First Yoga Class

Everything you need to know to feel a little (or a lot) more comfortable.

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(Photo: FreshSplash | Getty)

As kids, we try new things all the time. But as adults, we can sometimes find it daunting to walk into new environments and situations. Adding to our hesitation is the fact that different societal groups tend to have unique sets of unwritten rules for what is—and isn’t—acceptable behavior. So it can help, when heading to a yoga for beginners class, to understand rules that can seem invisible—and at times, completely arbitrary.

What should you wear? Do you need to have a mat? Will they expect you to be serious and spiritual? Do you need to learn Sanskrit?

If yoga spaces are new to you, these general rules of thumb can help put you at ease before you roll out your mat.

13 Things to Know Before Trying Yoga for Beginners

Although yoga has some similarities to other group movement classes, there are also essential differences.

1. Arrive Early

Most yoga studios, gyms, and community centers require you to sign in before class, so allow at least 10 minutes before the start time to complete the necessary paperwork. Even better, check to see if you can complete the paperwork online before leaving home.

Even if you’re all set formwise, plan to arrive early. If you’re used to group activities in large, well-staffed places, it’s worth noting that, at a yoga studio, the  teacher of your upcoming class might be the only staff member present. That means the front door is commonly locked the moment class starts. Arriving early ensures you won’t be left out, literally.

2. You Might Not Need a Mat

Before you spend anywhere from $19 to $169 on a yoga mat, check if they’rere provided. Many studios, gyms, and other practice spaces provide a mat for free or as a rental, which means you can try a few different brands at different price points before investing in your own.

3. Wear (Almost) Anything That’s Comfortable

It really is that simple. You don’t need coordinated or pricey activewear. You simply want clothing that is functional in an array of positions. Avoid loose shirts that pool over your head when you’re upside down, waistbands that dig in, and pants you have to tug up or inch down every time you move.

Also, be ready to tie your hair back out of your eyes. You’ll also want to take off watches or bracelets that could stop you from comfortably placing your hands flat on the mat, or long necklaces that are likely to swing forward and knock you in the face when you lean forward.

Keep in mind, you’re likely practicing in a crowded room where everyone is trying to concentrate. Respect for others in your space includes avoiding strong aromas, even those you might perceive as pleasant, like perfume or cologne.

4. Shoes Off

Most practice spaces allow shoes in the lobby but not the studio, so be ready to bare your feet. You might keep your socks on for warmth at the beginning or end of class, but they’ll be too slippery during any class other than restorative or yin yoga.

Since you’re navigating the yoga room barefoot, another unwritten rule is that most people won’t take kindly to you walking on their yoga mat.

5. Phones Off

Yoga studios aim to create a distraction-free environment. Phones (and sometimes even smart watches) are typically banned or strongly discouraged from being used in the practice space to avoid distracting beeps and buzzes.

That said, if you work in a role that requires you to be on-call for emergencies or if you’re a parent, it’s worth checking whether the studio or teacher will make an exception and allow you to keep your phone with you on silent mode.

6. Enjoy the Silence

Similar to the no phones policy, most studios encourage people to move and converse quietly. Although the teacher might play music to neutralize the intrusion of outside sounds or generally set the vibe, you might notice that it’s rare for students to speak during class, even to ask the teacher a question.

Unless your teacher has overtly mentioned that they welcome questions, if there’s something you need help with (that you can’t figure out from looking at the students around you), try getting the teacher’s attention in a nonverbal way, such as a quizzical look or hand gesture, so as not to disrupt the quiet concentration in class. If that doesn’t work, feel free to raise your hand.

7. Where to (Optimally) Place Your Mat

There’s an underappreciated science to where you place your yoga mat (or, if they are already set out in the room, which one you choose). Depending on your personality type, it’s often instinctive to either head for what looks like the back corner of the room, thinking you’ll be “out of the way” there, or to set up in the front row, where you expect to be able to see and hear your teacher clearly.

The tricky thing is that you can’t always tell by sight what constitutes the “front” of a yoga space. And even once you locate it, you can’t be assured that your teacher will stay there. Many teachers move around the room during class, meaning you won’t always be able to see them.

When you are new, you’ll probably find it easier to follow the students around you than to rely solely on the instructions you can hear. Situate yourself somewhere in the middle of the room, and avoid setting up alongside a side or back wall, since most yoga classes ask you to turn to face multiple directions, meaning that you’ll find yourself facing no one and once again need to rely on verbal instructions instead of visually observing someone else.

8. Do Your Own Thing (Sort Of)

As with most group classes, you’re expected to respond to the yoga teacher’s verbal instructions and move along with the other students. But you want to pay attention to your individual experience more than keeping up with those around you. After all, your first or second class could be their hundredth or thousandth. Opting out of poses that don’t feel right for you or stopping to take a rest if you need one are perfectly acceptable choices. You don’t need anyone’s permission.

9. Stick it Out

Unlike some gym classes, in which you can walk in or out at any time, you are generally expected to stay for the duration of a yoga class. It might be tempting to leave during Savasana (more on that later), but try to stick it out.

Of course, if you need to leave for a bathroom break or if you feel unwell, do so quietly to reduce disruption to those around you.

10. Savasana May Feel Strange

Most yoga classes finish with students lying still with eyes closed for several minutes of complete quiet. This practice—known as Savasana—is intended to provide an opportunity for mind and body to process everything that happened during class.

When you’re used to the rhythm of yoga classes, finishing in Savasana can feel like the most normal thing in the world. You quickly forget how objectively weird it is to lie down and close your eyes in a room full of strangers for several long and potentially uncomfortable minutes. After all, most adults haven’t done that since preschool nap time.

But it can feel quite odd if you’re in a yoga for beginners class. Even if the people around you look completely at ease, don’t be surprised if your mind remains stubbornly busy. If the mental activity bothers you, try internally repeating “breathe in” with each inhale and “breathe out” with each exhale. Or touch each fingertip in turn to the tip of your thumb as a quiet place to focus your attention.

Does lying still feel uncomfortable in a completely unbearable way? You could open your eyes, quietly sit up, or return to any restful position you experienced earlier in class. Respect your own needs, but do so with minimal disruption and drama so you can also respect the needs of the students around you.

11. Put Your Things Away

Once class is complete, pay attention to what other students do. Many studios expect you to put away any props or supports you used during class, such as blocks and blankets and bolsters, but they might not think to tell you so.

12. Try, Try Again

Pretty much everything feels a little awkward the first time you’re exposed to it. So even if you feel a little out-of-place on your first yoga for beginners class, try again! It will come to feel more familiar with time. And if it doesn’t, consider looking for a different style, teacher, or place to practice. Each one has a vibe all its own. Keep looking until you find an environment that feels like a fit for you.

13. Yoga is Not a Performance

Ultimately, yoga isn’t about whether or not you can make the cool shapes your teacher demonstrates. It’s about what you learn from navigating the challenges and resistance that arise when you attempt the poses, whether that means overcoming wanting to quit, connecting to your breathing, or understanding that it’s possible to quiet your thoughts. That’s the true practice of life. Consider it training for life.