How do you participate in your yoga class? If you practise yoga at a gym, you may need to book a few days in advance, or perhaps you can drop in and pay per session.
Of course, this depends on the setting, but if you have the opportunity, I highly recommend enrolling in a course. Most courses run for 5–10 weeks, but some may last for six months or longer. You might also have the chance to buy block sessions or a membership at a discounted rate.
Usually, these options work out cheaper than paying for individual sessions, but the benefits of committing to a course go far beyond cost savings.
Firstly, if you’re new to yoga or trying a new teacher, it’s important to give it at least 4–5 sessions to see if it’s a good fit for you. In my classes, each session follows a similar format with different postures, but I know some teachers prefer to mix it up completely. You might not enjoy the first session, but you could love the second!
If it’s your very first yoga class, it’s completely normal not to get everything right away or feel a bit lost. Usually, by the second or third class, you’ll start to settle in, relax, and feel more comfortable.
Ideally, you’ll develop a personal relationship with your teacher. I don’t mean becoming friends, but establishing a healthy teacher-student relationship. The Sanskrit word “guru,” which you’ve probably heard before, means someone who removes darkness and illuminates the path. You shouldn’t worship your teacher as a guru—that’s unhealthy—but they can guide you on your yoga journey. And remember, you don’t have to stick with one teacher forever. As your life changes and your practice evolves, you may find yourself moving to a different teacher, and that’s absolutely normal.
Above all, the most important reason is commitment and consistency. You may not like the sound of it, but like many sports and skills, yoga requires commitment. Sometimes you’ll want to do yoga; other times, you won’t feel like it or think you don’t have time. But when you carve out the time and unroll your mat, I can almost guarantee you’ll finish your practice feeling happier. Even I don’t always look forward to each practice, and sometimes I have to force myself to step on the mat. But I never regret it. I always finish my practice feeling calmer, clearer-headed, and generally a better version of myself.
My first Ashtanga teacher, David Swenson, once said, "The hardest posture is the first step onto the mat." Think about this. It's from David, one of the most well-known and loved Ashtanga teachers.
Six weeks isn’t a long time. Commit to your practice and reap the benefits!
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