Whether or not you’re new to yoga it’s important to find a great yoga class.
After all, part of what helps you to “do” yoga on a regular basis (daily or weekly) is the sense of community of belonging to a great class and the connections you make with the people there.
With that in mind here are 5 things that make for a great yoga class.
A great yoga class has…
1. A Non-competitive atmosphere
A Teacher can help to create this, but they can’t control who arrives to the class. There will always be some show-off who thinks that they can do better than everyone else, and demonstrates it by throwing themselves into the most advanced pose possible.
Retain your dignity, don’t stoop to doing the same, and definitely don’t indulge them by getting jealous.
2. A Teacher acknowledging each person by name
Even just a smile or a nod goes a long way from teacher to student, it is nice to know that they know you are there, they are present in the room and not caught up in themselves.
Being technically advanced in yoga is a nice bonus for a teacher, but it is not a patch on being a welcoming, friendly face.
3. A Good Pace
Everyone is different in their preferences of a yoga class. Some love a fast-paced class, others may not be able to keep up and may feel frustrated at a fast pace. But at the same time, if it is too slow for you, you could end up screaming to hurry up (in your head, I hope). Whilst others may be loving the gentle pace.
If you are new to yoga, try different styles of class to find your perfect pace.
There’s nothing nicer than realizing the last 90 minutes have flown by, because you weren’t watching the clock.
4. Modifications are all around
Having modifications readily available in every pose is vital for a decent yoga class
. They should always be an option, so that you can take the modification if you have any reason to do so. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you are not allowed or even expected to do a pose, this is not the sign of a good class.
5. You float out of the room feeling amazing
Both emotionally and physically. The former tends to be more important…the latter will come. Yoga cannot solve all your problems, but it can help put you at ease, set you up for a good day, and encourage mindfulness.
It may take some time and effort to find your perfect class/teacher, but it is well worth it. There are so many benefits, which continue beyond the mat!
How to get the most from yoga
As a long-time yoga instructor I’d say the key is acceptance.
And though I understand how easy it is for me to say, I also realize how hard it sometimes is for us to put into practice.
The next time you’re doing yoga and find yourself getting frustrated in a pose, remind yourself that this is the very reason why you need to practice that pose. The idea that ‘nobody is perfect’ is a good mantra to live your life by.
Everyone struggles with something, even experienced teachers.
And if your frustrations happen to lie in your hips, your shoulders, your balance or your strength, so be it. Then these are the aspects that need the most work.
Looking for local yoga classes near you? Simply click the link to get started…