Brand new yoga beginners start here

You’d love to start yoga. But walking into a class for the first time on your own sounds daunting. I totally get it. This guide is here to take you by the hand and make it easy to make that first step. You can read the FAQ page for more information too.

Where are your yoga classes?

Burbage Junior School, Grove Road, Burbage LE10 2AD. It's in the middle of the village and less than a couple of miles from Hinckley. The school is set back from Grove Road. There’s free, private parking on site. Classes are in the main hall. We use an entrance on the right-hand side of the main school building – just follow the signs (or the yoga mats!). There’s a video on the booking confirmation email to show you where to go step-by-step.

I teach online on Zoom too.

How do I book?

You can book online at www.bookwhen.co.uk/shantispirit or fill in the contact form to get in touch.

When are your classes?

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings in person and Wednesday evening on Zoom during term time. Check the times and prices on the timetable page.

What do I wear?

You don’t need anything special, just something comfortable so you can move freely. Layers are a great idea because you can adjust your outfit depending on how you feel through the practice. A fleece or sweatshirt will keep you cosy when we lie down for relaxation. You practice in bare feet or socks. Some students like socks with sticky dots on the bottom. They’re fairly cheap online if you fancy some of those. I find a hoodie falls over my head when I bend forward, so I prefer a sweatshirt. A loose top can work if you tuck it into your leggings or joggers, but check if it gapes when you bend forward. Something stretchy and closer fitting can spare your blushes. Same for gentlemen who wear shorts. Cycling shorts underneath can avoid you sharing more than just your calming presence with your fellow students!

What do I need?

A yoga mat. You can pick one up at TKMaxx, online or from a supermarket for less than £10. My first mat was a bargain and lasted well over 25 years.

Water. You can refill at the hall too.

Hair band or clip. Something simple you can adjust for lying down and then moving when you’re upright.

Blanket. It’s not essential, but I find it feels good to be wrapped up for the last part of the practice.

Tissues. Some breathing practices are cleansing. I always have lots.

Some people enjoy using a pillow or a block for extra padding and support.

What happens when I get to the class?

Mats are arranged around the outside of the hall with the short side towards the wall. That way there isn’t a back and front row. We’re all there together.

I’ll have a chat with you before your first class to see how you’re feeling. I’ll ask if there’s anything I need to know about your health so I can make suggestions to adjust your practice. Share whatever feels comfortable for you. We can always talk again later. You’ll never be expected to talk or demonstrate in class to other students.

I usually don’t make hands-on adjustments. I might suggest you wiggle your foot a bit this way or try your arm over here.

This is a technology-free zone. Please set your phone and smart watch to silent and mute notifications while you’re here. It’s so, so tempting to read messages, but it takes you away from your practice.

It’s best not to eat a big meal before class, especially if you’re doing flow yoga where you’ll be upside down.

Classes are capped at 15 people (which is why I ask you to book). I like to make sure everyone has space to practice and I can give you all enough attention.

I’m not young, flexible or strong

It’s okay, I'm no spring chick! And you don’t need to be flexible or strong. To be safe in a class setting, you just need to be able to get down to the floor and back up again without help. In the Wellbeing Yoga classes you can use a chair for support along the way if you’d like to.

In the flow yoga class, we repeat a posture sequence moving from standing to the floor and back again. To do that you’ll need to be able to bend forward and touch the floor – it’s fine to bend your knees.

If you’re not sure which class is right for you, get in touch and I’ll send you a sample of each to follow on YouTube.

Who goes to the class?

All sorts. A mix of ages and flexibilities. It tends to be a more mature crowd than the youngsters teaching on Instagram or YouTube.

What will we do in the class?

Expect to move gently in lots of different ways.

Wellbeing Yoga usually starts with postures and movements lying down, then progresses to sitting, kneeling then standing. We round the class off with a breathing practice and then relaxation. You might fall asleep at the end. That’s okay. You probably won’t be the only one.

Dynamic Flow Yoga starts lying down, but then moves into a seated breathing practice followed by flowing sequences of standing postures. The class steps down to kneeling, then sitting before closing with relaxation.

Relaxation? What’s that?

It’s just a space to rest. I turn down the lights and talk you through a technique to help you to unwind. It sounds weird, but it’s the most popular part of the class. Don’t worry if your brain carries on whirring away. That’s normal and natural. You’ll still benefit.

You'll probably yawn. It's natural when you start to relax. Your tummy might rumble too, because when you rest, you digest.

I may need to err… use the facilities?

No problem. The toilets are around the corner from the class. Just quietly slip out whenever you need to.

What happens if I can’t do something? Or it hurts? Or it doesn’t feel right to me?

I think this is the most challenging part of yoga. You don’t have to do it all. It’s okay to adapt (I can help) or to skip parts of the practice that don’t work for you. It’s okay to do less. It’s okay to rest or sleep through the whole class. No pressure. No judgement. You’ll be moving and breathing in new, probably unfamiliar ways, so treat yoga as an experiment. Test it out. Discover what helps. Maybe use that again. Notice what doesn’t. Maybe adapt it next time.

Did I miss anything? Get in touch if you'd like to chat or have some more questions. I'm here to help. I looking forward to seeing you there on your new mat very soon!