Trust us, we get it! The language of yoga can feel intimidating when you are new, or even if you’re a seasoned yogi. Chattur—huh? Vinyas-sayywhat? Sometimes even the different names of classes can feel overwhelming when you aren’t sure what class to take. What if you choose the wrong one? Why are there so many in the first place? These are all questions we have asked ourselves when we first started attending yoga classes. You aren’t alone!
If you are new to yoga or have been practicing for a little while, it can feel intimidating to try and choose a class. I didn’t try out a Yin class for a couple of months after joining simply because I didn’t know what to expect. I was so nervous that I was accidentally going to attend an elite class and have no idea what I was doing. Turns out I had zero reason to be scared of a Yin class and I loved it!
The truth is, the wide range of classes are for the wide range of people that walk into the studio! Here at EPIC Yoga we love to offer a wide variety of classes so that all people feel welcomed and excited to practice! We know that every body is unique and that every practice is unique. The variety of classes will allow you to enter your practice every single day and
decide what your body truly needs.
So, where do you start? How do you begin with choosing a class?
Here are 5 ways to finding the best class for you:
#1: Read the descriptions
I know, I know… duh! But the descriptions of each class really do explain what you can expect. Don’t disregard a Yoga Sculpt class purely because you don’t want to use weights! In Yoga Sculpt you will “compliment your yoga practice and elevate your overall strength and fitness.” I think that’s something we all can use! Our website has a full page devoted to informing you about each class that is offered. You can find it here. Or feel free to stop by the studio and pick up our class schedule which also has class descriptions written in-depth on the back. We’ve put these descriptions together with you in mind! Don’t feel ashamed to read up on every class before you attend!
#2: Take a mental scan of your body
Every single day our bodies show up in the world with different needs and desires. How often do we fly through the day without first tuning in to what our bodies need? I’ve been there! I can’t begin to tell you how often I find that I am holding stress and tension in my shoulders. I then go throughout my day adding more stress only to find myself with a tension headache at the end of the day. And yet I wonder why? Take a pause. Mentally scan your body right now. Do you need time to breathe? Do you need to remind yourself of your strength? What is your body desiring of you today? Get curious, then go from there! If you need time to breathe and release tension, maybe a restorative or yin class will hit the spot. Do you need to remind your body of the immense strength you already have? Try a YogaBarre class or a Power Vinyasa. The point is: show up in your body every day and decide on what class your body needs, today.
#3: Take a mental scan of your mind
Just like our bodies, our minds also need us to check in once in awhile to see how they are doing. I don’t know about you, but its easy for me to get overwhelmed! My mind can sometimes move at what seems like 100 miles per hour with 50 different things all at once. I often need a moment to slow down, pause, and become in tune with what my mind needs. What does your mind need from you today? Do you need to slow down? Do you need to remind yourself to work with your mind and not against it? Go from there! If you need to link your mind back to your body, the practice of vinyasa guides you through linking your breath to movement. Perhaps that is what your mind needs today!
#4: Try out a range of different classes
Don’t be afraid to go through a trial period of all different types of classes. But don’t just disregard a type of class because it wasn’t what you needed that specific day. Continue to try and learn from the each of the classes! Yoga is a continual practice that evolves for each person over time. Each class gives you pieces of knowledge, learning, and understanding that builds your practice over time. Don’t limit your practice by only attending one type of class! Build a depth and breadth of understanding of what yoga means for you. As you try out different classes, you will begin to see that yoga is so much more than just a class. You will see how you can carry all that you have learned into the world around you.
#5: Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
Your teachers are here to guide you in your yoga practice! Everyone here at Epic Yoga (friends, teachers, front desk, etc.) are here for you! There is always so much knowledge to be found just through asking questions. Get to class early and ask a teacher what you can expect in this class. They want to guide you the best way possible and this is such a great way to bring more understanding for both you and the teacher! Stay afterwards and ask anything that you were curious about or how you can modify for your body. When I first started, I wish I would have asked more questions! It would have taken out all of the guess work of trying to understand on my own. And ultimately, our teachers are pretty freaking awesome, so you definitely want to become their friend.
All of the different classes are for you! We understand that it can be hard trying to decide what class to attend. But you don’t want to miss out on all that is offered here. We are always here to help you as you embark on your yoga journey! Our hope is that you are empowered and inspired to create change in this world.
You are love and light.
Namaste
(By the way, this means "The highest in me sees and honors the highest in you.” Don’t worry, I didn’t know what it meant when I started yoga either...)
Written by: Elyssa Schultheiss
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