Information
for Beginners
No experience is necessary to start taking Tucson Yoga's beginner-level
classes. Many first-time beginners attend our classes. It's important to choose the right class the first time
you do yoga. Your physical fitness and your personal goals are important factors.
Classes for Beginners
Gentle Yoga - Restorative and relaxing pace, best for beginners who are very inflexible or who don't exercise regularly. Gentle Yoga is also the best choice for those seeking a more relaxing or meditative experience, regardless of your fitness level.
Basic Yoga
- Best for beginners at an average fitness level. Medium pace allows you to you experience the flow of a yoga practice while also learning basic aligment and principles.
Mixed-Level Yoga - Faster, active paced classes that beginners who are moderately fit and flexible may attend.
Click here to see our Class Schedule
Still not sure which class to start with? Email us at ty@tucsonyoga.com.
How To Start
Pre-registration is not required. To attend any of the weekly classes, just show up 10-15 minutes early to meet the teacher and to fill out a registration form (or print the registration form available here. You can pay when you arrive or pay in advance - click here for pricing info.
What to Wear and Bring
No special clothing is required to do yoga. Just wear comfortable clothing that's loose or stretchy enough to allow movement, but not too oversized or loose. Any t-shirt or tank-top with sweats, shorts, or stretch-pants is adequate. Yoga is done with bare feet, so prepare to remove your shoes and socks when you arrive.
Our studio yoga mats are free to use during your first class. After that, there's a $1 mat rental fee. If you plan to attend regularly you should buy your own mat ($18 and up) at the front desk.
Additional Beginners' Links:
Beginner FAQ
Class Schedule
Class Guidelines
Prices
Location & Directions (We're not easy to find!
We're not on "4th Avenue"...)
Pregnancy
Gentle Yoga is also appropriate for pregnant women and seniors. Click for more info for Pregnant Women
How many classes to attend per week
We recommend three or more classes per week, or one to two classes per week supplemented with home practice. This will keep your body from losing its new flexibility between classes, while still fitting into most people's busy schedules. If you can manage it, a daily yoga practice is ideal.
About Class Levels
We have intentionally chosen not to use numbered class levels (Like
Level 1, Level 2, etc.) on our weekly schedule listing. Every individual
is different, and we don't feel that every student fits into the same class. Yoga practitioners have
varying physical ability levels, and different intentions for practicing.
For instance, some people are attracted to yoga for relaxation and
stress-relief, and others practice yoga for fitness, weight loss, or to increase their energy. We feel that the physical intensity of a class does not necessarily
indicate that it is more "advanced". Our Gentle, Basic, and Mindful Yoga
classes are enjoyed by some very experienced yoga practitioners who
enjoy a physically milder practice, whereas a more athletic beginner may prefer to start with a challenging Flow class.
Working With Injuries and Limitations
Yoga is often recommended for people with injuries, as a form of therapy.
While yoga can be a wonderful therapeutic tool, please note that the intensity of yoga classes can vary widely, and group settings may not be appropriate for some students with injuries. Some classes are gentle and restorative, and others are quite vigorous, requiring athletic-level ability. You can
easily hurt yourself more by attending an inappropriate class. If
you are looking for therapeutic yoga, start with one of our Gentle Yoga classes.
At each class you attend, inform or remind the instructor
about the injuries and/or limitations you're working with, so that
s/he can give you appropriate personal attention, or invite you to
modify poses as needed. With any injuries, your body is your best teacher. Your teacher cannot
feel what you are feeling. If a posture causes pain or feels unsafe, you should stop doing
that posture immediately. Ask the teacher about modifications.
If you are recovering from an injury or illness, we recommend first seeing a yoga therapist, since the standard training for yoga teachers does not involve working with injured or physically compromised students. Yoga therapists have undergone
specialized training for working with those whose needs are different from the average healthy individual. After just a few yoga therapy sessions, you may be able to begin taking group yoga classes.
Need a referral to a private yoga teacher or therapist? Email us at ty@tucsonyoga.com.
