I get it, joining a public yoga class as a total beginner can be super intimidating! Especially when you see those seasoned practitioners at the front of class folding themselves in half like some sort of human pretzel (okay I’m exaggerating for the most part – but you get my point). And even for those of you who aren’t beginners, maybe you’ve done some online yoga classes at home from sources like YouTube but have never actually stepped foot in a yoga studio.

Well, keep reading to get the low-down on yoga class protocol and banish that pre-class anxiety, so you can join your first yoga class with confidence!

Allow me remind you that you DO NOT have to be super strong or flexible to do yoga! Do not think for a second that you couldn’t possibly go to a yoga class because you can’t touch your toes or hold plank pose for more than 2 seconds! No matter your age, size, shape, flexibility or level of strength, yoga looks different on every body, because every body is built differently.

Ultimately, it’s how it feels in your body, not what it looks like to anyone else. Even the most experienced yoga practitioners still have to modify sometimes, so please don’t let this misconception prevent you from showing up.

Okay now we’ve cleared that up, let’s get into the stuff you’re really here for shall we.

Do’s and Dont’s you need to know to prepare for your first yoga class:

• Tell your teacher you’re a newbie. That way they can offer verbal cues and modifications that are more beginner friendly so you can follow along with a little more ease and in a safe way. The other option being you stay quiet and struggle your way through at the back, absolutely no idea what’s going on, probably trying to copy your neighbour, resulting in you potentially injuring yourself and being put of ever showing your face in a yoga class again. Trust me when I say it will be a much nicer experience for you if you let the teacher know it’s your first time!

Speaking of which, do also tell your teacher if you have any pre-existing injuries or conditions that might affect your practice, so they can offer suitable modifications if needed.

• Use the equipment provided. Don’t worry if you don’t have your own yoga mat, as most studio’s will be stocked with a plethora of good quality mats & props for you to use. If they have them available, I recommend you have at least one block and/or bolster close to hand for when you need it, there is absolutely no shame in utilizing props to support you through your practice.

• Take regular breaks throughout the practice. If you need to take child’s pose instead of yet another Chaturanga, no one is watching or judging you. Besides, everyone else in the room will be far too wrapped up in their own practice to notice what you’re up to anyway, so take the rest.

• Breathe loudly. Don’t be shy! Breathing, sighing or even gasping, yoga is hugely focused on uniting the breath with movement and for the calming effects it has on the mind. It also shows your teacher that you are fully immersed in the practice and present in the room, so just go for it.

• Close your eyes when instructed, or when it feels right to. If for any reason you find it to uncomfortable to fully close your eyes, simply soften your gaze downwards and find something to focus on, don’t gawp at everyone else with their eyes closed or stare at the teacher (it’s weird) and if you’re laying down, you can always cover your eyes with a towel or something similar.

• Don’t worry if you fall over or out of a pose! There is absolutely no shame in challenging yourself and not succeeding the first time round, it’s how you grow and progress. Even the most experienced practitioners still fall, you just gotta pick yourself up and try again.

• Farting. Yes it does happen, no it doesn’t matter. You are moving and twisting your body in all these new ways, it’s not uncommon for something to slip out as soon as you relax! We’ve all done it, believe me.

• Wear whatever you like. Yoga studios are a judgement-free zone and your body shape is irrelevant, so wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Weather you show up in baggy sweatpants and t-shirt or booty shorts and a crop top, as long as you feel comfortable and can move with ease it’s no one else’s business what you wear.

• Dozing off at the end of class. Almost every yoga class you attend will end with at least 5 minutes of Savasana, the act of laying still on your back to allow the benefits of you practice to sink in. You will most likely feel physically tired after an hour of yoga, so drifting off is a very real possibility, and totally normal! Much like the farting, we’ve all done it.

• Put your phone away. Switch it to Do Not Disturb, put it on Aeroplane Mode or just switch it off, leave it in a locker or leave it in your bag. But for the love of god DO NOT have it on the floor of the studio next to your mat – ESPECIALLY on loud or on vibrate, as it will reverberate through the entire room and disturb everyone’s practice. It also keeps the temptation to check your phone at bay during class. A key aspect of practicing yoga is to remain present throughout the entire session, so checking up on your socials mid-flow is a big no-go.

• Don’t film or take pictures during class. This one feeds into the whole put your phone away thing and while it may seem blindingly obvious to some, you may be surprised to know that this does actually happen. I’ve been in a yoga class before where we were mid Wheel Pose and the girl next to me whipped out her phone and started filming herself. Thankfully the teacher did ask her to stop and luckily she did, but it was incredibly distracting and quite frankly I did not want to feature in the background of her Instagram story. Just put your phone away!

• Don’t chat to anyone during the class. You should be focused and present within your own practice. Believe me when I say no one wants to engage in general chitchat with you during the fifth Chaturanga of the session. Save the small talk till the end of class.

• Don’t be late. I know it can’t always be helped, but it’s generally good practice to arrive about 5-10 minutes early. This gives you plenty of time to put your things away, go to the toilet, get your mat and props, set up your space and get into the zone ready to start on time. You do not want to be the late-comer clattering around at the back of the room trying to set up your space. Do your best to be on time.

• Tidy up after yourself. If you’ve borrowed a mat, wipe it down with the cleaning supplies provided by the studio before you put it away. Same goes for props, if you’ve used blocks or a bolster, give them a spray before you put them away. No one is there to tidy up after you, especially not the teacher!

• Thank your teacher at the end of class. This is the most important one in my opinion. Your teacher will have spent hours of their own free time planning and preparing this class, so go have a chat with them at the end, ask some questions about the class, or simply thank them for a wonderful experience. A small sign of appreciation like this goes a long way for a teacher!

I think that’s everything covered, take these pearls of wisdom to expel any of those remaining pre-class nerves and walk into that studio brimming with so much confidence no one would ever guess it was your first time!

Taking up Yoga can be a powerful and transformational journey, one I think everyone should explore at some point in their lives.