How to choose the best Yoga Center near me?

News

by | Apr 5, 2023

Whether you’re doing yoga to reduce stress, gain flexibility, or expand your social scene, starting a yoga practice can be intimidating. However, with the right studio and instructor, you may just find yoga less scary and more fun than you imagined. Follow the tips below to help find the best place for your practice.

Clarify Goals & Motivation

Be honest about why you’d like to start yoga. Maybe you want to get in shape, or perhaps your doctor recommended it for stress control. Maybe you’re pregnant or rehabilitating an injury. Or maybe you don’t know why — but you’re curious and want to check it out.

Clarifying your motivation can help narrow down your choices. If you’re looking for Pre-Natal Yoga or Therapeutic Yoga for rehabilitation, for instance, you’ve already done half the work!

If you don’t have an explicit reason or simply don’t know where to start, your best bet is a Yoga 101 or Yoga for Beginners class. These introductory classes are geared toward students who have no experience with yoga — and who may not even know what questions to ask. A good teacher will be able to anticipate your questions and ease your fears with basic information to help get you started on the right (correct) foot.

Ask Around

There’s a strong chance you know someone — even casually — who practices yoga. Talk to your friends and coworkers. Ask around at your local recreation or adult education center. Chat up the cashier at your local health food store. Do they have a teacher they love? What style do they practice, and is it appealing to you? Do they speak highly of the other students at the studio?

It’s important not to confuse other people’s opinions with your own, but talking to a variety of people can be a great way to learn about studios and styles that you might never have considered otherwise.

Do a Background Check

We’re not suggesting stalking or harassment! But it can be helpful to learn about the studio before you go. How long has it been open? Do they have a mission statement? Are there student testimonials on their website? Does the studio owner also teach?

As for the teachers, ask about their training and experience: Where have they studied and with whom? How long have they been teaching? What is their personal teaching philosophy?

Yoga Alliance is the main registration organization for studios and teachers in the U.S., and although it’s not mandatory for studios and teachers to be registered with Yoga Alliance, the non-profit is the standardizing body for yoga in America. The alliance encompasses a vast diversity of yoga traditions, while ensuring that registered teachers and studios maintain certain professional and educational standards.

A registered yoga teacher (RYT) has a designation of 200 or 500 hours of training, which includes education in asana (physical practice), anatomy, philosophy — sometimes much more. An experienced yoga teacher (E-RYT) has at least 1,000 hours of teaching experience. And a registered yoga school (RYS) maintains the Yoga Alliance quality standards in education, experience, and teacher training.

Yoga teachers at gyms and health clubs may also be required to have CPR and First Aid certifications. These are all things to consider when you’re looking to find a teacher.

Check Out the Studio in Person

Many studios won’t allow you to sit in on classes because it disturbs the practice. But you can always stop by and talk with the receptionist, a teacher, or even the owner. Trust your gut — do you feel comfortable and welcomed? Are you okay with incense and Hindu imagery? Is there music in the classes or are they silent?

Notice the students coming and going. How big are the classes? Will you be able to get individualized attention? Major studios in large cities can have 100 students or more in popular classes. These types of classes are better suited for experienced practitioners.

Read the class schedule and check out the prices. Do they offer classes at your experience level? Do the times suit your needs? Can you afford the classes? Do they offer a new student special? What about less expensive community classes, or even donation-based ones?

If you prefer a male or female teacher, make sure they offer classes at your level with the gender of your choice. Some studios even offer male-only and female-only classes, if you’d rather practice in a single-sex environment.

Consider Private Lessons

 If you’ve searched around and simply cannot find a studio you like, you may want to consider investing in private or semi-private lessons. These are usually more expensive but you will get personal attention and can practice at your own pace.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *