Yoga is a wonderful thing for everyone to try. It can improve your fitness and flexibility and help you to relieve stress. If you have been interested in trying a Yoga class but are unsure where to start then here are some tips for you.

The first tip is to find a Yoga studio near you. Do a search online or check your local listings for Yoga. If there is not one, then look to see if there are classes offered through your local parks and recreation or community education. Friends can also be a great source, so ask around too.

Many Yoga studios and health clubs offer drop in classes. Often you pay for each individual class, so there is no long term commitment. Make sure that you arrive about 10 to 15 minutes early for the class. That way you have some time to talk to the instruction before the class. Let them know that it is your first yoga class and if you have any medical conditions they should be aware of.

It is important to dress in loose clothing for Yoga. A t-shirt along with sweat pants, yoga pants or athletic shorts are perfect. Sometimes yoga studios have yoga mats that you can use during class but call first to find out. Otherwise you can often find a yoga mat for a very low cost ahead of time. Yoga is often performed in bare feet in order to let your feet grip the mat better. You may also want to bring a long sleeve shirt, sweater or blanket during the meditation or cool down portion of Yoga.

The most important aspect of Yoga is breathing. You will want to breathe in and out with long, deep, and full breaths. You would gain much from just spending the whole class practicing your breathe and sitting still. Take each pose to the point that you are comfortable with. Your instructor should walk you through every step of class.

Remember that practicing Yoga with others is about bringing positive energy together in one place you should not compare yourself to the others in class. It can be difficult to do so, but try to be in the first row of the class. That way you will be able to see the instructor and you will not have the distraction of the rest of the class.

For the balance poses it is a good idea to find a focus point. Choose a non-moving spot on the wall, ceiling or the floor depending on the pose. Focusing on it will help you maintain your balance. If you pay attention to the other students moving you will probably find yourself losing balance too.

The best piece of advice is to go into Yoga with no expectations. Often it will be much different than you think it will be. It really can be something for everybody. Your body and your mind will thank you for adding a regular Yoga practice to your life.