We are passionate about helping you to become healthier, happier and as enthusiastic about yoga as we are! We understand it can be daunting to be faced with a whole list of different classes and disciplines, especially for those of you who are just starting out on your yoga journey. We all start somewhere and with this in mind, we thought we’d give you answers to all the questions you might have about beginners yoga in a handy blog.
I’ve never done yoga before but would love to start. Will I turn up to class and find myself like an impostor at a Cirque de Soleil performance where everyone but me is able to contort themselves into incredible poses?
Not at all! While we welcome people from all levels, we take a special interest in beginners yoga. As far as we know we are the first studio in the country to offer a free 25 minute consultation with all new members, where you’ll be able to ask all any questions, raise any concerns, but also outline what you hope to get out of your membership. Are you hoping to lose weight? Are you hoping to strengthen a particular physical area? Or do you seek some mindfulness after a hectic day at work or with the kids? Have you recently had a baby? Finding out your motivations and expectations can help us to introduce you to the work we do in the best way for you. Together we can create a plan for your first couple of weeks which we can assess and tweak later on.
We have three beginners yoga classes a week and these are the ideal place to start – your teacher will describe each pose in a thorough and detailed way at a slower pace than many of the other classes. Rest assured that we are a relaxed and friendly space where we make it our business to make you comfortable and confident – the contortion-ism will come in time! (Seriously though, you don’t need to do this!)
we are a relaxed and friendly space where we make it our business to make you comfortable and confident!
Ebb&Flow
Will doing just the beginners yoga classes be enough for me? I’ve noticed that lots of the classes say ‘All Levels’ – but wouldn’t I hold up the class if I couldn’t keep up?
It’s important to remember that in yoga we never stop learning – we’re just at different stages of the journey! All our instructors are happy to tailor the classes to fit their participants. We recommend that you try out as many different classes as you can to find the right fit and the right instructor for you. Just let your instructor know at the start of the class if you have any concerns or injuries they need to keep in mind and they can adjust the pace accordingly. We are always very happy to talk to you about any anxieties or questions you have – we know that if you aren’t comfortable you won’t get as much out of your class, so don’t be shy about raising your concerns.
I’ve heard about the spiritual side of yoga. How much of that will be involved in the classes?
Yoga is an ancient practice which evolved around traditional Hindu spirituality. The yoga we practice now is not as overtly spiritual, though the ancient influences certainly remain. For those of you who would like to explore this side of yoga further you will love our Mindful Flow class – our only 1.5 hour long session which moves at a slower pace and focuses closely on the breathing and philosophical aspects of yoga. This class will also give you time to explore the other ‘limbs’ of yoga such as breath-work and meditation.
Do I have to turn up in skin-tight Lycra?
Yes.
Only kidding! The most important thing is that you are comfortable. The heated classes do get rather warm, so you might regret a long sleeved, thick t-shirt. There is a lot of bending over and twisting around – loose tops might be comfortable but tend to be rather annoying when they flip over your head! Make sure that whatever you wear, you are able to move freely and easily and that you won’t have to constantly pull or tuck your clothing out of the way. Many men choose to go topless in the heated classes. Some people like to wear socks, but do ensure that they have non-slip soles. Bring some water to sip and you can either hire a towel or bring your own if you want a shower after the class.
How long should I arrive ahead of class?
We recommend that you get to class at least 15 minutes early. This gives you plenty of time to change, leave your things in a locker and perhaps have a calming tea. Go into the room and take some time to relax beneath our star-lit ceiling. This is the perfect time to grab your instructor for a chat if you need to as well. It’s important to note that latecomers will not be admitted to class.
How do I go about getting membership?
We have some great offers at the moment. Our first 50 founding members will be able to benefit from the Ebb&Flow 3+2 – 5 month’s membership for the price of 3. This covers your 25 minute consultation, unlimited classes in all styles, mat hire, face towels, a free friend’s pass every month, herbal teas and water. Alternatively give our Discovery Pass a try. You’ll get 6 weeks membership for the price of 4 as well as 5 free friends’ passes. This includes your 25 minute consultation, unlimited access to all our classes and mat and face towel hire.
You haven’t answered the question I wanted to ask!
Sorry about that. Let’s have a chat about it. Give us a call, drop us an email or grab an instructor before class! You can also follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with our latest news.