Help I am a yoga beginner
We love hot yoga and we want everyone else to love it too. However, we understand that if you are new to hot yoga or perhaps even a total yoga beginner you may have lots of questions that you’d like answered before you give it a try.
Which is the best class for a beginner?
Power Hours, Hot Lunch and Wednesday morning Heated Vinyasa are perhaps the best places to start if you’re new to hot yoga/yoga.
Regardless of which class style and regardless of how long you’ve been practising yoga, all of our instructors guide each of their classes through a series of exercises providing variations and adaptations for all levels and abilities.
Our instructors will ask at the start of class whether anyone is new so please don’t be shy about putting your hand up, it’ll ensure the instructor knows you’re there and can offer guidance or adaptations if needed.
Will I have to chant?
Some of our classes, for example Jivamukti, involve Sanskrit chanting along with yogic philosophical teachings. It will be on a ‘call and response’ basis so don’t worry about not knowing what to do, the teacher will say something and then the class repeats.
You may feel quite awkward and uncomfortable the first time you chant or perhaps do an ‘Om’ but please do be open-minded and give it a try, after all this what yoga is all about – the journey of the self through the self, to the self.
What’s the difference between the classes you offer?
Here at Ella and Fleur Hot Yoga we try to offer a wide variety of yoga classes and often add new classes to the timetable to keep things fresh and exciting.
Check out our Classes Page for a full description of each class to give you an idea of what to expect. The best way to find out is to try them all and see which you like best. It’s a very personal thing and you won’t know if something suits you until you give it a try.
Do I need to be super bendy?
There is a misconception that in order to do yoga you have to be naturally super stretchy and bendy – this isn’t the case! Yes, there will be people in the class who are very bendy but yoga isn’t about other people, it’s about you, your body, and your practice.
Keep at it as you’ll be amazed at much more flexible you’ll become. Hot classes really improve flexibility faster and allow you to get deeper into stretches than you would in a cold class.
I’m not that fit; is that ok?
It is important that you let us know of any medical conditions that you may have or any specific injuries prior to class.
If it’s been awhile since you've exercised then don’t worry, just take things slowly and listen to your body. If something feels uncomfortable or painful in anyway, back-off as you're probably pushing yourself too hard.
It is more than acceptable in yoga to rest at any point during class in child’s pose (where you sit back on your knees with your head on the mat in front of you). No-one will judge you for doing so, we promise.
Each class is different, and you will feel different in each class. Some days you’ll find it easier, others harder. Yoga is a personal practice; so don’t get frustrated, listen to your body and respect it. You will be amazed at how quickly your fitness will improve, so please persevere and don’t give up after two classes.
What if I can’t do something, will I look a fool?
One of the key things to remember about yoga is ‘Let it go’ – leave behind what you think you can and can’t do, let go of worrying about what other people think and commit yourself to the here and now of you and your body on your yoga mat.
In class, everyone is focused on their own practice so try not to worry about what your neighbour is doing. Don’t be put off by the person who is exemplary, they’ve worked hard to reach that level, instead, think ‘I’d love to be able to do that one day’ and focus on trying your best with where you’re at now. With practice you too one day will hit that particular pose in exemplary style!
And if you do fall over, so what? Everyone does and it doesn’t matter. As much as yoga helps make our bodies become more flexible and stronger, it also does the same for our minds and egos.
Please also check out our blog post New To Hot Yoga.
We do hope this blog post helps and if there is anything we haven’t covered please just ask or drop us an email info@ellaandfleurhotyoga.co.uk. We look forward to seeing you in class soon.
