Tips to Prepare For Yoga Class

Yoga is a really great way to relax and de-stress. It’s important to set yourself up comfortably to be able to fully commit to the experience, and not have to deal with any worries or distractions during your practice. Preparing a few things in advance will help you to stay present and enjoy the time that you have dedicated to your yoga practice. These tips to prepare for yoga class will cover your space set up, what to prepare and how to bring a little more self-care into your yoga experience. So enjoy these tips to prepare you for your next yoga class. If you would like to join one of my online yoga classes, check out my online class schedule.

Clothing

You can literally wear anything comfortable. We are so used to seeing images of yogis on Instagram practicing in their designer yoga gear, but to be honest my favourite yoga attire would be my pajamas and loungewear 🙂 Comfort is key here and loose-fitting clothes are often recommended for yoga… but if you have ever found yourself upside-down with your head practically inside your T-shirt, staring at your chest while in adho mukha svanasana (downward facing dog)… well, then you’ll know that wearing a super baggy top might not be the best idea ever. Also, avoid clothing that feels too tight or restricts your movement in any way. Forget about the image you have in your mind about what you “should” look like, and choose clothing that will make you feel good and comfortable and able to move and stretch with ease.

Practice on an empty stomach

Try not to eat within 2 – 4 hours before your class to avoid any discomfort during physical practice. This will give your body time to digest your food so that you don’t feel any pressure in the abdominal area. If you practice first thing in the morning – which is a fantastic time to practice! – have some warm water on waking and if you absolutely must, then have something small to sustain you through your practice. You will really enjoy your breakfast after your session. Too much liquid before or during yoga class can also be uncomfortable, so take small sips of tea or room temperature water if you feel thirsty while practicing.

Set up your space

You should feel really comfortable in your yoga space, whether it’s in your bedroom or living room, or outside on a patio or in the garden. Find a place where you have enough space around your mat to reach your arms back behind your head and outwards in a T shape to your sides when in a supine position (on your back). You can test this by lying down on your mat and spreading your arms from your sides to straight above your head, and then back down again (as if you were making angel wings in the snow). If necessary, remove any obstacles before you start so that you can move around freely. Make sure that you won’t be disturbed in your space and consider lighting some incense or a candle for that extra special touch.

Booking.com

Consider having the following items nearby or within easy reach:

• Water bottle or cup of tea.
• Small sweat towel.
• Socks/sweatshirt/blanket.
• Small pillow – to relieve pressure (e.g: under knees when kneeling/lunging) or to place under your head when lying down.
• Journal and pen – keeping a record of your experiences on your yoga journey is a great way to get to know yourself and explore your thoughts and feelings. It will help you keep track of your progress and how your body adapts as you build on your practice.

Tips for live online Zoom yoga classes

• Try to connect with the instructor before the class to introduce yourself and offer as much information as you can in order to give them an idea of where you’re at in your practice and if you have had any injuries/surgeries, etc. This is really important so that you can be properly supported during the classes, if and where necessary. Setting up a pre-class call might be a good option for you if you are new to the instructor’s class, and especially if you are new to yoga.
• Use a laptop or computer screen if possible (rather than your phone), and make sure that you can see the instructor clearly, and that they will be able to see you too.
• Ensure your device is fully charged or plugged in.
• Test your sound and video before the session.
• Try to avoid being distracted. Turn your phone off, shut the door and ensure that you will not be disturbed during your practice.

Little extras to make it special

A yoga practice has often been described as a little holiday. Make the most of this time that you have set aside for yourself. It really is a gift. Here are some ideas that will contribute to creating an even more comfortable and blissful environment in which to practice yoga:

• Have a bath or shower before and after your practice if possible. Showering before yoga is a wonderful cleansing ritual. After class, indulge in a warm, essential oil-infused bath and finish off with a cold shower – yes, you read that right! I do this every night and I’m obsessed. (I will blog about this soon)
• Incense and/or candles for a truly ambient experience. Choose scents and colours that feel good for you in the moments before class. You can even bring a pot plant into your space. Studies have shown that plants can help boost your mood, productivity, concentration and creativity (https://www.thesill.com/blogs/care-miscellaneous/why-you-need-plants-in-your-life).
• Make or buy an eye pillow or eye covering. Placing a soft, comfortable eye pillow over your eyes during savasana (corpse pose) really helps you to relax into the moment.
• Set aside some additional time after the class to write in your journal, practice any of the asanas (yoga postures) that you enjoyed during the class, or meditate for a little while, before resuming your daily tasks. This extra time can be a real treat and will help you to maintain your “yoga state of mind” longer than if, after class, you had immediately reverted back to your regular life on auto-pilot.

I hope that you have enjoyed these tips to prepare for yoga class. View my online yoga class schedule or get in touch if you have any questions.