Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Yoga Class
Walking into your first yoga class can feel like stepping into a whole new world—both exciting and a little intimidating. Between the talk of flexibility, poses, and ancient wisdom, it’s easy to feel like you need to "get it right" to belong. But yoga is so much more than nailing the perfect pose. Here are some valuable insights I wish I had known before stepping onto the mat for the first time:
Poses Don’t Define Your Yoga Practice
Yoga isn’t about how well you execute a pose or whether you can touch your toes. Asana—the physical postures—is just one of the many tools yoga offers to help us connect with ourselves. At its heart, yoga is a practice of liberation. It’s about reconnecting with our innate wholeness and breaking free from the belief that we’re broken or in need of fixing. If you have a body and you’re breathing, you can practice yoga.
Progress Over Perfection
Yoga isn’t something you perfect—it’s something you practice. The idea of achieving “the full expression of the pose” can create unnecessary pressure and doesn’t belong in yoga spaces. Every pose offers countless variations, and the goal is to find what feels best in your body. Bend your knees, widen your stance, or use a prop. Every practice is unique, and that’s part of the journey. There’s always something new to discover on the mat.
Props Are Game-Changers
Using a prop isn’t cheating—it’s empowering. Props like blocks, straps, bolsters, and blankets are tools to enhance your practice. They provide stability, create space, refine alignment, reduce effort, and foster deeper connections. Embrace them freely. Props can transform your practice and make yoga accessible to everyone.
Listen to Your Body, Not Just the Teacher
Listening to your body is one of the most important aspects of yoga. Just because an instructor cues a pose doesn’t mean you have to take it. If something doesn’t feel right, explore other options, take a rest, or simply pause for a sip of water. Honoring your body’s needs is yoga in its truest form.
Consent is Key for Hands-On Adjustments
No one should touch your body without your clear and explicit consent. A yoga teacher should always ask for permission before offering hands-on adjustments—and they should do so every single time. This respects your autonomy and ensures your comfort.
You Are Your Best Teacher
While yoga instructors offer guidance, only you know how a pose feels in your body. Pay attention to physical sensations, and don’t hesitate to speak up if something feels uncomfortable or painful. Trust yourself to honor your limits and advocate for your needs. Your practice is yours, and adapting it to suit you is perfectly okay.
Stepping into yoga is a beautiful and deeply personal journey. These lessons can help you approach your practice with more confidence, curiosity, and self-compassion. Remember, yoga is about meeting yourself where you are—no expectations, just presence.
