Yoga is for EVERY body. It is a message that may sometimes get lost in the popular images of yoga that seem to feature only the youngest, most fit of bodies. But in truth, yoga is for every body. It is a practice rooted in building a solid relationship with the truest version of ourselves – body, mind and soul – which does not rely at all on the condition of any of those components. Yoga only asks us to show up, to breathe, and to be there for ourselves. While it is true that yoga as a practice is for every body, it is also true that not every yoga class is for every body. Here are some points to consider when selecting a yoga class that is appropriate for you.
Know your intention
Acknowledging what brings you to the mat is the first step in selecting the appropriate yoga class. People are drawn to the practice for many reasons – building strength & flexibility in the body, settling an active mind, reducing the impacts of stress on the body & mind – and there are classes that are more aligned than others with each of these intentions.
Know your body
It is important to be honest with yourself (and your yoga teacher) about where you are physically, especially any limitations that you might be experiencing and to respect those limitations throughout the practice. Should you find yourself in a class that is more physically challenging than is appropriate for you, take advantage of opportunities to pause and modify the practice to meet your needs. If you are in generally good health and able to move with few limitations, you may find most public classes are a good fit. However, if you have any concerns about any physical limitations you may be experiencing, especially any chronic conditions or injuries, you might find it helpful to schedule a few private yoga sessions to learn how to modify the practice to best suit your needs.
Read class descriptions
While it may be tempting to choose the first class that fits your schedule, there is usually a great deal of information available about a class in its description. Look for key words about the type of yoga being taught, the pace of the class, and the type of student the class is designed for. For instance, classes described as “vinyasa” and “flowing” are generally a little more physically demanding than classes labeled “hatha” yoga. If you are new to a yoga practice, it never hurts to start with a class that is taught at a slightly slower pace – a beginner’s class or a gentle or slow flow class can offer a little extra time to orient yourself with the movements and terms that are common to a yoga class.
Still not sure?
Reach out to the studio or teacher of the class and ask some questions about what to expect. We love to share the practice and want you to love it as much as we do. And we know that an important part of loving the practice is being matched to a class (and teacher) that is aligned with your intentions and your needs.
Yoga is for EVERY body. I was fortunate to be introduced to this message early in my relationship with the practice through a teacher who was (and still is) dedicated to this idea – so dedicated that it was integrated into the name of her studio. My early experiences with yoga also showed me how this can be true as we traverse changes with our own bodies – I came to a regular yoga practice during my first pregnancy and relied on it to guide me through my postnatal recovery, my second pregnancy and through subsequent periods of injury and recovery. My relationship with yoga has supported my ever-evolving relationship with my ever-evolving body and it is a gift of the practice for which I am incredibly grateful.
Ready to explore yoga as practice for you? Sign-up for the Community Library! You’ll enjoy at-your-convenience access to a rotating library of recorded yoga and meditation classes that is always free and open to everyone!