Firstly introduce yourself !!

Then…

Comfortable yoga attire

This may seem obvious, but many people new to this practice don’t always know what to wear. But all you really need is something you can easily move your body in, like flowing pants and a supportive top—whatever will allow you to be comfortable, rather than self-conscious. At the same time, however, you’ll want to practice in clothing that stays put, too, because if you’re constantly adjusting your shirt or pants and worried about a wardrobe malfunction, this can take you out of the zone or “flow” of the experience.

Water bottle

If you’re particular about your water and it’s important to you that it’s clean and filtered, then definitely bring your own reusable bottle and fill ‘er up beforehand. If you pick up a bottle at the store, bigger is actually better. One of those tiny, 8-ounce bottles may SEEM like a good idea at the time—especially if you don’t want to carry around too many things—but it’s simply not enough H2O. Staying hydrated during and after your practice is crucial to replenishing your body of lost fluids. Not everyone makes hydration an all-day habit, and it can often be easy to overlook when we get busy. Tip: If you’re worried you didn’t drink enough water before your yoga practice, you could always pick up a coconut water for afterward, to revitalize your body with electrolytes.

Yoga Mats

These are always a small amount supplied for you if you need one. Numbers are limited so arrive early or email me first so I can reserve one for you!

Yoga towel

These are optional and truth be told, just about any type towel will do if you’re prone to sweating profusely. Sweaty palms and feet can make practicing on even the stickiest of mats like a game of slip ‘n slide. Plus, as mentioned above, if you don’t yet have your own mat and are wary of placing your sensitive skin on a used one, an unrolled towel placed right on top of your rental should do the trick. A small hand towel to wipe your brow, especially if sweat starts rolling down your forehead and burns your eyes (hint: always bring one of these to a Bikram or hot yoga class!) will also come in handy. Lastly, there are many “yoga towels” you can buy at an affordable price (and cheaper than a high-quality mat) that have a grippy side on the bottom to help it (and you!) stay in place.

Change of clothes

Though we see many yogis cruising about town in designer yoga duds with a matching zip-up jacket, headband, and mat carrier, not everyone is comfortable wearing workout gear in public. If you happen to fall into this category, own it—there is nothing wrong with you and this does not make you less of a yogi! Bringing a change of clothes can be as simple as grabbing a pair of jeans and a clean shirt, or rocking your yoga pants anyway with a cute tunic-like top. Because let’s face it—our lives are busy. If we find ourselves cramming an hour vinyasa class into a day that is already meticulously scheduled down to the minute, then there’s not always time to go home and change before say, heading out to dinner with friends. Bringing a couple of items with you for a quick presto-changeo can go a long way to carry you through the rest of your day. Worried you stink? Some studios have showers, yes… but you can’t always count on it. Douse yourself with some perfume, cologne, or your favorite essential oils, and rock that post-yoga glow!

Post-yoga snack

Depending on what time of day you’ve scheduled for yourself to practice, there is nothing worse than finishing a rigorous session and suddenly feeling like you’re so starving you might very well gnaw off your left arm. Rather than find yourself in a pinch, pack a protein or granola bar with you ESPECIALLY if you’re someone who suffers from episodes of low blood sugar. If you’re meeting a friend for dinner, tea, or drinks afterward (because you have your rockin’ post-yoga outfit packed and ready to go), it still can’t hurt to have something small on hand—like a handful of almonds—to help recharge your energy reserves. Sure, you can always grab a smoothie afterward, too, but make sure you’ve done your research prior and know whether there’s a place nearby.

An open mind

Last but not least and perhaps the most essential of all… the open mind is integral to approaching this practice for the first time. Without an open mind, we can be quick to judge the experience we’re having, judge other students in the room, and even judge the teacher. Many people come to yoga and beat themselves up before their first Downward Dog. They assume they’re going to be bad at it, that they’re not flexible or strong enough, that they won’t know what the heck they’re doing. Remind yourself that all you really need is the willingness to be with yourself in breath and body for 60 minutes, and whether or not you can keep up with the flow of the class or understand Sanskrit is irrelevant. Practicing yoga is about experiencing the sensations of the body by way of the breath. The end result is a clearer and more grounded, present mindset, which is exactly that post-yoga bliss that keeps us coming back for more. We don’t practice yoga just to get good at yoga… we practice to become the best versions of ourselves we can possibly be. And if a little strength and flexibility come along with it—well, then that’s a bonus.