Attention men: yoga is not just a four-letter word! We at Classtivity take lots of yoga classes. And we’re noticing plenty of new guys roaming around yoga studios these days, taking classes and “doing like the yogis do.” In honor of our new crop of yogis, we created this list of Top 10 tips for guys getting ready to take their first yoga class…so you know before you go. Let us know what tips you would add!
- First, congratulations on deciding to take a class. Yoga has been keeping minds and bodies fit for 5,000 years. If your friends think yoga is just for hippies, send them this article pointing out 38 Ways Yoga Keeps You Fit.
- Speaking of fit, avoid wardrobe malfunctions by making sure your yoga clothes fit. Wear a shirt that’s long enough to tuck in, so it doesn’t ride up during Downward Dog. Consider wearing bike or Spandex shorts under baggy shorts, as you will be in upside down and downside up poses that could…ahem…expose some skin. Let’s keep class PG-rated.
- Yoga Newbie Etiquette: Please remove your shoes before entering the room and resist the urge to chat with your neighbors. The practice of yoga links the mind and body, so allow a few moments before class to relax, sit quietly and focus.
- Consider stretching on your mat for 10 to 15 minutes before class, especially in the morning. Limber, supple muscles will make you happier than tight muscles.
- Get props. Notice the equipment available in the studio and grab one of each prop. Blankets, blocks and straps help with alignment, reduce strain on tight muscles and help you ease into poses. The instructor will suggest when you should use them during class.
- You do it in bars, so you can do it in yoga. Introduce yourself to the teacher before class, letting him/her know that you are a beginner. Just keep it classy and don’t ask the teacher out for a drink. The instructor will likely stay in tune with your progress and offer variations (AKA alternative poses) for newbies.
- Be open to adjustments (AKA hands-on help) from the teacher. Many instructors will guide students with gentle adjustments, offering one-on-one attention and creating proper alignment. Go with it and don’t be shy. Or, let the instructor know before class if you wish not to be adjusted at all. No worries!
- No one is looking at you or watching to see if you can do Firefly Pose. Not even the cute girl next to you. Yoga is very self-focused so don’t fret about competing with neighbors. Keep your gaze on your mat and pay attention to you.
- Rest when you need it. And keep breathing. Yoga has been around for 5,000 years, proving that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. It’s perfectly fine – suggested, in fact – to rest in Child’s Pose when you need to re-center or catch your breath.
- Be present! Leave your expectations at the door. Don’t worry if you don’t know the Sanskrit names of poses or if you don’t feel like chanting Om. Do what you feel comfortable with, just don’t quit during class. Be present to stay present.
Our final tip? Browse yoga classes on Classtivity to find the class that works for you. Many studios, such as Sonic Yoga, Jaya Yoga Center, and Integral Yoga Institute, offer classes specifically for beginners… try out different classes and instructors until one fits. Until then, Namaste
Courtesy of Jennifer Maguire Coughlin, you can read more from Jennifer on her Tumblr page.
