How to Choose the Right Yoga Class for Your Needs

If you're someone who has never taken a yoga class before, finding the right class might be pretty intimidating. After all, figuring out the best class for you is all about knowing yourself and the options that are presented to you. Here's what you should consider when choosing the perfect yoga class:

 

How Can a Yoga Class Help You?

Think about the benefits that yoga might have for your specific ailments. Do you suffer from chronic muscle or joint pain? Are you someone who constantly feels very tightly wound? You might want to consider Yin Yoga. Maybe you want to take up yoga to lose weight? Bikram yoga, done in very high temperatures to induce sweating, may be the perfect yoga style for you. You should put your health needs before anything else, but it's also important that you're comfortable in the class. If the yoga style does not appeal to you, you're less likely to become a frequent attendee. If you don't go to class regularly, you're not going to see any noticeable improvements.

 

Identify Your Skill Level

Technically, just because you've never taken a yoga class before does not mean you have to enroll in a beginner class for your first session. If you consider yourself a very athletic person who exercises regularly, beginner yoga will not effectively challenge your body. Judge yourself accurately and realistically to determine what you would be ready for. But you also don't want to be too ambitious and enroll in a class that is too difficult for you. You're likely to get left behind quickly.

 

Find The Right Teacher

A yoga session is effective or ineffective based on the quality of the teacher. It's as simple as that. In the long run, the type of yoga you choose is secondary to the teacher you choose. Many yoga studios will allow you to sit in or participate in a trial class, just to help you see if it would be a good fit. If the teacher is brash or too aggressive, you may not feel comfortable learning from them. On the other side, if you feel like a teacher is too passive and will not push you hard enough, then you won't be able to learn anything from them. It's okay to be selective when choosing a yoga teacher as the goal is to build a long-term relationship with them.

 

Don't Forget About Price

Although taking classes from the same yoga studio that celebrities frequent might seem enticing, it might not be realistic if you take a look at your finances. Make sure you sign up for a class that is within your budget, and still leaves enough room in your pocketbook for other fun purchases. If you have to sacrifice too much to attend the class frequently, you may not stick with it. The more difficult the path is to regular yoga practice, the harder it will be for you to make it a big part of your life. For more information on finding the perfect yoga studio or just staying fit, please contact us!