“Try something new every day.” I have always hated that self-help motto. New experiences make me nervous and to be honest if I were to try something new every day, I would have a heart attack in less than a month. Even after practicing Yoga for ten years, I have butterflies in my stomach if I walk into a new class. Perhaps a part of this is because being a newbie in a Yoga class is a lot like being a newbie in high school and can arouse some of the basic fears and insecurities I had as a teenager. A lot of others have also expressed their concerns about going for their first Yoga class. So in this article, using High School as a comparison let me tell you how to prepare for your first Yoga class and what to expect. Hopefully this will allay some fears and stop you from feeling like an insecure teenager on your first day of school.
Getting ready for school
You need a uniform. As Yogis join the “selfie” brigade, the Internet is filled with pictures of girls in skin-like leggings and sports bras, which are more bra than sporty. If that’s a look you can pull off, then please, go right ahead, but if copying Giselle is going to attract an obscenity lawsuit, then its better to stick with basics.
Yoga clothes need to be comfortable but not distracting. By this I mean that you need a top that is not so loose that you are only focused on making sure it doesn’t fall off and not so tight that you feel suffocated as you twist. Choose tights or tracks for their comfortable waistlines. Ensure that they are tight enough for your teacher to see the alignment of your legs but not so tight that they become transparent when they stretch.
Wear a sports bra. Squashed, exposed or sagging bosoms are certainly a distraction.
As in school, hair needs to be off your face. Soft accessories, like headbands and scrunchies are preferable.
Even if your toes are freezing, socks are to be avoided.
Anti-perspirant is advised, but strong perfume is not allowed (the only faster route to a migraine than deeply inhaling strong perfume, is to punch yourself in the head)
Bathe. This is especially important if you are taking a morning class and helps to refresh the mind and awaken the body. It’s also essential if you want to make friends in your new class - a non-bather will soon have a large circle of space around them.
Empty the bladder and evacuate the bowels.
Allow two to three hours to go by after a main meal or one hour after a light meal before you take a class. Don’t attempt your first class (even if it is an early morning class) on a completely empty stomach. At least have some tea and biscuits or a few dates.
What to put in your school bag
Yoga mat. Studios do provide Yoga mats but as Yoga is a sweaty endeavor it is good to have your own. Hand towel and a small bottle of water. Eventually you will avoid drinking water during class but on your first day, you are going to need a sip now and then.
What to expect in the classroom
A Yoga class is not as judgmental and unforgiving as a high school class, but some of the usual suspects are common to both.
The cool cats. These are the regulars. They arrive early and have their fixed spots. They are in unusual “warm-up” positions that will look like advanced asanas to a newcomer. They might have their backs draped over wooden blocks, have body parts pressed into the wall or be pulling on ropes. They usually have their eyes closed or fixed on one point as they breathe in a manner similar to Darth Vadar. Don’t feel bad if they don’t smile at you, they are focusing.
The teacher’s pet. These are the girls who place their mats in the very front of the room. They are also warming-up but in a less vigorous manner as most of their attention is directed towards the door as they wait for the teacher to arrive. Often they follow the tradition of “giving the teacher an apple”, where the apple is replaced with a bottle of the latest super-food or a potted herb.
The serious students. In the high school class room they would have their heads tucked into a book, here they have their legs crossed and are in deep meditation, chanting or practicing pranayama.
The back-benchers. They are usually found along the back wall or in the corners and are chatting about their weekend or messaging on their phones.
To be continued
(The writer is a former Miss India who traded a glamorous life in front of the camera for an adventure behind it, before finally finding her home on the Yoga mat)
