Is it just me: Does everyone (generally) hate their first yoga class?

Okay, so maybe "hate" is a bit strong, but when our yoga teacher training group was asked, "Raise your hand if you didn't enjoy your first yoga class," about 75% of us, including me raised our hands. So there's got to be something going on right? And remember that this was at yoga teacher training so every one of us there obviously had a deep love of all things yoga, so what happened to go from hate to love?

My First Yoga Class

My story is probably not a million miles from a lot of others. It all began with a friend moving to Holland for a boy – a classic start to any yoga journey, right and not at all like the plot of a Richard Curtis film? She asked me to join her for one last class before she left, and being the ever-supportive friend, I agreed. Little did I know what I was signing up for!

To kick things off, it was an Ashtanga class – fantastic, but perhaps not the most beginner-friendly choice. The studio had a strict no-talking policy, which, as I now know, is not uncommon. However, it caught me off guard, creating an air of austerity that made me uneasy about asking questions. Not an ideal scenario for a complete beginner.

Then, every awkward scenario you can imagine in a yoga class unfolded. Someone definitely let one rip, and there was serious snoring during savasana. Being a bit of a child, I fought back fits of giggles, envisioning a stern shush or an invitation to leave at any moment and my friend utterly mortified. Just to add to this scene the girl next to me was sporting minimal clothing – tiny tiny shorts - that at more than one point gave me an unexpected view.

While all this was happening, there was an Ashtanga class around me, with everyone seemingly effortlessly balancing on their heads and folding into pretzels. Meanwhile, I was battling giggles, thinking, "What the heck?" and struggling to follow even the most basic instructions. Even now, I couldn't tell you what poses we did. What I do recall is feeling out of my depth and nervously chuckling my way through the class. Yet, here I am years later, having attended multiple yoga retreats and a qualified yoga teacher.

So, What Changed?

The motto for Caribe Yoga Academy, where I trained, is "shift happens," and I couldn't agree more. Clearly, I went to that first class seeking something – though I couldn't put my finger on it. Barely a week later, I was scouring my local area for classes and researching different types of yoga to find my fit. As it turned out, my fit was power yoga at a hot studio – fast flows, strength conditioning to a house music soundtrack in 38-degree heat. Not exactly the serene yoga scene I had imagined, but it became my gateway.

I've always been ambitious in my career and education, constantly striving for success with a crippling fear of failure. That's why power yoga appealed to me; it tapped into my competitiveness and soothed my ego. The pace and the heat made me feel like I had just conquered an intense workout. I was rushing through poses, always pushing a little deeper and seeking the fullest expression. In my mind, I was acing this yoga thing – my ambition and ego were fully in control.

Then a few things happened. I couldn't make it to my usual class and tried a slow-flow class. I was introduced to the concept of ahimsa, the yama representing compassion, not just towards others but also towards yourself. Give yourself a break. Why do I need to nail that pose? Is it good for me, kind to my body? This was the shift, the reason I kept going back to yoga. It was self-compassion. As I explored this idea on the mat – asking if a pose was genuinely good for me – I started noticing a shift off the mat. Friends commented that I was kinder, work improved, and opportunities flowed in.

The second revelation was understanding that what happens on the mat often mirrors what's off the mat. Ever wonder why you effortlessly nailed that balance last week, only to land flat on your face this week? Ask yourself, "What's changed in the last week?" "What was I doing before class?" and "Where is my mind now – is it present or wandering?" This exercise built a new level of self-awareness for me, allowing me to dig deeper into my feelings, identify triggers, and choose a new mindset.

This shift from yoga wasn't a massive aha moment; it's been a slow, subtle change. Sometimes, it takes months or years to recognise the transformations, but there's no denying they've happened and are still happening.

This Is Why We Do Yoga

You might not know why you practice yoga, but if there's curiosity, there's something there for you – that's all it takes, an open mind and a willingness to give it a go. So, if your first experience isn't love at first pose, don't give up; it's all part of the journey.

My advice is to try different yoga styles and teachers until you find the one that works for you; it might mean kissing a few frogs, but you'll get there.