Nervous about taking a yoga class

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I am very nervous about taking a yoga class. There is a great studio right up the road from me, they even offer a teacher training program. I called to inquire about price and the classes that the offer and they are all 90 minutes, which totally freaks me out because I havent been able to get past 30 mins, Mentally, and physically, I am usually done around then… Even the private lessons are 90 minutes.

Should I hold off on taking A class until I can go for 90 minutes?, or is it just a matter of just going for it?

#2

I am in the exact same situation as you. I am starting a class this Saturday and it is 90 mins long, and I have ever taken a yoga class. I am not going to even lie … I am freaked out. Where I am going you do yoga for 60 straight mins. I am just going to go in there, stay towards the back of the class and do my best. I am super novice at this but I think you should just go for it just like I am going to do. Good luck!

#3

A well-taught 90-minute class will be over faster than you can imagine. The time will fly by and you’ll feel as though you were just getting started.

I’m not sure whether you two are concerned about your attention span or about your ability to keep up with the pace of a physical exercise for that time.

The second one depends fully on the nature of the class you’ve selected. Either way, go, but don’t get into the mindset of doing or performing, keeping up, or attending to what the neighbor person is doing. All of that is merely crafty distraction.

#4

I second that notion, Inner Athlete : )

Sarrvah & Kelly,

Have no fear…you can do it! Approach the class like an experiment, see if this particular style works for you…try other classes 'til you know what works best. Every student is different, as is every teacher.

Yoga is a personal journey. It does not serve our highest good to judge ourselves against another student’s progress…
We each must start somewhere…so, congratulations on taking that first important step!!!

As a Yoga teacher myself, I often see first-time students come into my class apprehensive and nervous…[I]90 minutes!?![/I] they think they’ll never make it…I always let them know my class is for all levels and my style is about gentle empowerment…I take time with each pose and focus on breath, alignment and relaxation…and yes, they sweat and feel challenged, but in such an uplifting, invigorating way that they don’t notice the time fly by…(I do, of course, because I would love to keep going for hours and hours…once you are warm, you can just keep going deeper and deeper…). Alas, they all make it through, smiling and deep breathing the whole way, opening and releasing…and after the final meditation, they float out of class, radiating with a sense of peaceful joy.

I never push, only encourage. Every one has their own process…so, find and trust in yours. The appropriate teacher will know just how to enhance your growth. Also, be sure to tell them up front about any health concerns or injuries that you may have…this is imperative! Most importantly, keep practicing…the more you give to your practice, the more your practice gives to you…and always remember to breathe, smile and relax!

This is not a sprint…this is a marathon. : )

Best wishes to both of you…let us know how it goes!

*Oh, yes…and the day after you might feel a little sore because you are opening your body in ways that you may not used to; this is normal. A warm shower and some light stretching can often be helpful…

#5

Gently explore and test your boundaries but know that you can always enter a resting pose such as child’s pose anytime you need to. With that said, if an entire class is going through asana, you may find it to be extremely difficult to enter child’s pose, but that’s all the more reason to. Breathe into it, relax, and enjoy your practice.

#6

I would like to thank you all for such great responses.

Kelly - I think you are right, we need to just do it!

Innerathlete - I think I am concerned with my ability to keep my mind focused, and my physical ability. I have bad ADD, as well as anxiety… I tend to stop when I feel my mind has drifted and I am no longer paying attention to my body. I will also have to kick my self-judgeing attitude!

LisaLovesYoga - It is great to hear from a yoga teacher. I used to hate going to the gym because I was afraid people would see me doing things wrong, I guess its the same for me with the idea of going to a yoga class. your words where very soothing to me!

And david, great advice! “Breathe into it, relax, and enjoy your practice”, I think thats important advice, I cannot let my nervousness get in the way!

:slight_smile:

#7

Sarrvah… : ) you’re going to do great! Honestly, I have had been managing PTSD and anxiety for years and my continued practice of Yoga has definitely helped me in so many ways. With focused awareness, I have been able to push through my own self-judgement and worries.

I have an idea, let’s shift the meaning of the acronym “ADD” to something more like “Attentive. Divine. Determination.” If your mind wanders, focus on your breath. If you feel insecure, focus on your breath. Let the breath be your guide.

All is good…and David is so right, Child’s pose is a great way to rest if you need to, so listen and allow…and be true to you.

Enjoy!

#8

[quote=sarrvah;27759]I would like to thank you all for such great responses.

Kelly - I think you are right, we need to just do it!

Innerathlete - I think I am concerned with my ability to keep my mind focused, and my physical ability. I have bad ADD, as well as anxiety… I tend to stop when I feel my mind has drifted and I am no longer paying attention to my body. I will also have to kick my self-judgeing attitude!

LisaLovesYoga - It is great to hear from a yoga teacher. I used to hate going to the gym because I was afraid people would see me doing things wrong, I guess its the same for me with the idea of going to a yoga class. your words where very soothing to me!

And david, great advice! “Breathe into it, relax, and enjoy your practice”, I think thats important advice, I cannot let my nervousness get in the way!

:)[/quote]

I have ADD too and yoga has done wonders for my ability to handle this misnamed malady. It should be called attention abundance disorder.

Sometimes 30 minutes can seem like a lot on your own but if you get into a class and go with the flow, those 90 minutes will fly by.

If you ever feel like you physically can’t hold on, David’s advice to go to a resting pose (like child’s pose) is right on. At some point, we all end up doing it now and then.

Go for it - you won’t regret it!

#9

“Attentive. Divine. Determination.” I LOVE that. wow, that really makes me think of things differently. I hate calling it a “Disorder”… Other then the fact that I usually have a lot of trouble concentrating, my determination to tackle what I have trouble with has made me much more of an observant person. I lack in 1 area, but am better at observing my surroundings, and MYSELF then most. I am very in tune with my body, and I think the ADD has made me that way. I was always told “focus focus focus”, and boy do I, but mostly on how I am feeling, because I never wanted to be unhappy because of certain areas I have trouble with! Thanks LisaLovesYoga

Kiran, it is nice to hear from you and others that Yoga has helped, I am starting to realize that a yoga class will be entirely more motivating then my home practice to get me through that 90 minutes, Maybe I need to take a look at what goes on at home, and to see if there are any other “outside” reasons besides mental and physical ones which are prohibiting me from practicing for a longer period. Maybe just not being where there are loads of other things for me to get done will help!

#10

You're not alone. Nervousness over new activities is a common feeling that people experience when they don't have prior experience with an activity. That's why you need to understand how to lessen your nerves before allowing yourself to get into a foam pit or start pressing a bit too hard on the yoga poses.