So you’ve never done yoga — start here

Let’s clear up the biggest myth first: you do not need to be flexible to do yoga. That’s like saying you need to be clean before you’re allowed to shower. Flexibility is something yoga gives you, not a ticket you buy at the door.

I’ve taught beginners for nearly three decades, and almost everyone walks in carrying the same quiet worry — that they’ll be the stiffest, oldest, or least “zen” person in the room. You won’t be. The room is full of people thinking exactly that about themselves.

What actually happens in a first class

You’ll arrive, roll out a mat, and sit. The teacher will guide you to notice your breath for a minute or two — not because it’s mystical, but because it’s the simplest way to land in the room and out of your inbox. Then you’ll move through gentle shapes: a few standing poses, some on the floor, nothing acrobatic.

When a pose feels like too much, you rest. That’s not failure — in yoga, resting when you need to is considered good practice, not giving up. A skilled teacher will always offer an easier version of every shape.

What to wear and bring

• Clothes you can move in. Anything stretchy you’d be comfortable reaching and bending in. No special outfit required.
• Bare feet. Yoga is done without shoes or socks — it helps you grip and balance.
• Water, and an empty-ish stomach. Try not to eat a big meal in the two hours before. A light snack is fine.
• Nothing else, really. We provide mats and props. You just bring yourself.

The part nobody tells you

The hardest pose in yoga isn’t a handstand. It’s the decision to show up the first time. Once you’re on the mat, your body remembers how to move — it’s been waiting for permission. Most people leave their first class a little surprised at how calm and clear they feel, even if they spent half of it wobbling.

So come as you are. Stiff knees, busy mind, zero experience — all welcome. That’s the whole point.