Everything you need to take it to the next level
Just like little birdies need to leave the nest to learn how to fly, you’ll eventually want to venture beyond these pages to expand your yoga experience. There are plenty of sequences here in the book to work on, but the real (and very big) world of yoga holds a multitude of opportunities. Get excited! You’re ready to explore even more beautiful twists and turns (and splits and inversions) that will keep you challenged, intrigued, calm, and smiling.
A home practice is a fabulous thing, but nothing compares to the energy of a public class and the well-trained eye of an instructor to watch your alignment. I highly recommend finding a local studio with an experienced teacher to help you along your path. He or she can answer your questions and, with your classmates, provide a supportive community. (My yoga buddies often become like extended family!)
If you’re not quite ready to fall out of the nest yet or there’s no nearby studio, check out great online resources like yogajournal.com and yogaglo.com. YogaGlo offers classes of varying lengths, levels, and styles, and they’re new every day via streaming video. And it’s cheap! An unlimited subscription to YogaGlo costs $18 a month, whereas many yoga classes cost that much per session. If money isn’t an issue, consider hiring a teacher for a few private sessions to help build your confidence and awareness.
If you’re lucky enough to have a yoga studio on every block, you’ll want to do a bit of research to find out which one is right for you. Ask around and check out online reviews on sites like yelp.com. Pop in to experience the vibe and see how comfortable you feel there. It’s ideal to find a studio close to home so you can walk or bike there—no excuses! And don’t be afraid to try out different studios and teachers before you make a commitment. I did not like my first class experience because the teacher gave me the heebie-jeebies. I was ready to write yoga off completely until my friend dragged me to a different class—with a teacher I absolutely adored. Don’t judge yoga itself by the teacher or class; keep exploring until you find a match. Trust me—it’s out there.
The best answer to this is, really, whatever you please at any given moment! Don’t feel that you need to stick to a specific style of yoga. It can be educational and entertaining to explore them all. That being said, you will find a style that you prefer, so I’ve created an overview of the main styles to help you identify them.
TIP: If you’re on a budget, consider looking for special deals to pay for yoga classes. Many studios offer less expensive community classes in the middle of the day. Others exchange free classes for work (like manning the front desk or helping to clean or organize the studio). Ask the people at the front desk for options for financial help. Chances are they’ll welcome the idea and figure out a way to keep you on your mat.
Once you’re ready to join a group, here are a few tips to keep in mind so you can get the most out of your practice!
Many classes these days tend to be packed and hot. You’ll want to bring a water bottle to class, but many teachers won’t allow it because it disrupts the tapas (or heat) and discipline building. Plus, you don’t want water swishing around in your belly as you twist and flip upside down. Make sure to hydrate before you enter the class so you’ll work up a good sweat. You can replenish afterward. Exception: If you’re taking a Bikram yoga class (which is usually held in a room heated to 105°F or higher), bring water, without a doubt.
I made the mistake of eating a big bowl of pasta (and wearing jean shorts!) to my very first yoga class. Not only did my denim outfit truly suck when it got soaked with sweat, my tummy also was not happy with me during the class. It’s amazing how disruptive even a small amount of food can be during a yoga sequence. Eat something light (fruit, a protein bar, or almond butter on whole wheat bread) about 2 hours before class. It will make your practice—and your next meal—that much more enjoyable.
If it’s your first time at a studio, you’ll likely be asked to fill out a waiver or other paperwork, so make sure you have a few extra minutes to handle that business and also get yourself settled. Depending on the popularity of the teacher, many classes will sell out, so give yourself time to show up, sign in, and find a space in the room before the stampede. In general, it’s nice to have some alone time on your mat before class to slow down and transition from regular life to your practice.
If you have any injuries, tell the teacher! Grab them before class or gently wave them over during class to let them know. It’s perfectly fine to say that you don’t want physical adjustments because something hurts or is bothering you, or that you might need modifications to help certain areas of your body. Just be open and respectful, of both the teacher and yourself.
Seriously. Putting your phone on vibrate or mute does not count. Just make it a habit to leave your phone, iPod, pager, BlackBerry, and any other devices in the car or in your locker—anywhere that’s not the yoga room. No matter how hard you try, you will forget one day and be that person whose phone starts ringing while everyone is lying peacefully in Savasana! It’s a surefire way to whip you out of a calm place, as well as to get nasty looks from the teacher and other students. Let yoga class be your time to disconnect from the outside world.
Most yoga studios have cubbies outside the room to place your shoes in, so make sure you leave them there. No shoes keeps the studio clean (you put your mat, hands, and face on that floor) and also just shows respect. If you’re worried about someone taking your designer heels, bag them and place them in the back of the room—just don’t come stomping in with them on!
If you think you’ll want a strap, blocks, or a blanket, grab them at the beginning of class. This will prevent you from having to walk around the maze of students in the middle of a limb-weaving sequence and give you options for modifications for all poses. Remember, using props doesn’t make the pose “easier” or make you look dorky—it makes yoga better for your body. Always choose the variation that makes you feel best.
Some studios won’t let you in the yoga room after a certain amount of the class is over. If you do find yourself running late (it happens to the best of us), wait until the opening meditation is finished to enter. Most rooms have peepholes or a window to look in. When you enter, take care to avoid slamming your mat down or tossing your keys and bag to the floor. Come in quietly and find a space. It’s totally fine to ask someone to move over to make space for you—just be kind.
Life is busy, but take the 5 minutes at the end of class to rest in Savasana. Yoga isn’t about building up a sweat and then racing for the hills once the pace slows down. Yoga is all about balance—uniting your strength and surrender. If you know you’ll need to leave class early, make sure to do so before Savasana, and plan accordingly so you don’t disrupt everyone when you leave. If you can stay, though, taking the time to do Savasana is often the ticket to feeling truly renewed when you leave the class. Try bringing an eye pillow to help you relax and move into your own world for just 5 minutes. Enjoy and rest.
Technically, you can wear whatever you want to for yoga. The golden rule is to be comfortable, but you should avoid baggy clothing because you’ll just end up getting caught up in your own shirt or tripping on your sweatpants. I advise wearing something with spandex so the teacher can see your alignment. Most importantly, wear something that you feel good in. You don’t want to have to fuss with your clothes while you practice.
Part of my job is being in the public eye. From writing regular blog posts and articles to teaching weekly online at yogaglo.com, I’m seen all the time. And just like any fashionista, I, too, face the dreaded question: “What should I wear?” Clearly, yoga isn’t about brands or what style pants you’re wearing, but it can certainly be fun and expressive! Wearing the same black leggings and top every day might be flattering, but nothing lifts my spirits like unique, colorful clothing.
I often receive e-mails with comments like, “Where did you get those great pants?!” so I thought I’d share my favorite brands and shops. Happy shopping!
This awesome company is super hip and eco-friendly, and its clothes come in a wide array of colors, cuts, and options. They offer great transitional clothes if you’re not into hardcore yoga gear. Their lines are studio and street friendly, so you can ease into your Downward Facing Dog as easily as you slip into your cute boots and shawl on the way out of class.
This quirky Canadian company has taken the states by storm. With more than 140 stores nationwide and a major online presence, it’s easy to see why it has become a staple store for yogis. It’s famous for its Groove Pant, which makes anyone’s derriere look superb! They also offer flattering tops, cover-ups, jackets, and hoodies, as well as a great line for men.
This sassy Los Angeles–based Italian wants to make you look sexy. Her tights are my all-time favorites—they’re incredibly flattering (never cutting into your passion handles) and come in all colors of the rainbow. Her fabric feels like butter and you often get a personal phone call from her when you order. Just be prepared to chat for a while. Ciao, darling!
This line is elegant and flattering on all body types. I’ve even seen 80-year-old women rocking its gear! The styles embrace a woman’s body and the fabric is deliciously soft. The company also offers seasonal lines with bold, playful colors for spring/summer and rich, darker colors for fall/winter.
This California company is based in Santa Monica, where it has a store you could get lost in for hours, browsing the racks of great styles with edgy cuts and fun patterns. If you’re not in SoCal, you can often find its lines at yoga studios or in larger department stores like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s. Hard Tail offers both yoga and lifestyle clothing for the fashion-conscious yogi.
This rocker T-shirt company focuses on soft, flowing shirts with prints from bands like Pink Floyd and Journey. I love to use them as cover-ups on the way to the studio, and they look just as cute over jeans on my way out of class.
This amazing company makes fashion sustainable. All of their products—yoga clothing and bikinis—are made out of recycled water bottles! The cuts are comfortable, flattering and their patterns are complete show-stoppers. Just be prepared for plenty of longing looks and conversations when you wear their line!
This gorgeous line was created by Kira Karmazin, who also developed successful product lines for Lucy Activewear, Victoria’s Secret, and Gap. She created an amazing Goddess Collection that brings out women’s inner beauty and strength. Her unique and accessible designs are absolute favorites of mine.
You can find pretty much anything you need here—mats, props, fitness gear, clothing, and even yoga DVDs (yup, including mine). It’s a good one-stop shop. You can find many of its products at most Whole Foods Markets, as well.
These guys make the Cadillac of yoga mats. Their Black Mat PRO is a monster (almost 10 pounds for the 85-inch mat!), but it will last for the rest of your life. They also have a great line of eco-friendly mats, as well as props and bags.
This eco-friendly and innovative Santa Monica company is always on the cutting edge. Owner Susan Nichols perfected the skidless towel to put on your mat, and you’ll now see it at yoga studios worldwide. The Skidless is perfect for any yogi who loves to sweat. The company also created a stretch yoga strap—the Strap Stretch—that is incredibly helpful when learning inversions, arm balances, and any pose where you need more shoulder support.
These adorable skidless socks with separate toes can be found in Pilates and yoga studios across the globe. The tiny San Diego–based company that makes them also believes in giving back. I’ve had the honor of being this company’s ambassador for years, and I partnered with it to create Hot Pink ToeSox to benefit Poses for Paws (my personal project to raise money for animal shelters), as well as socks to help raise breast cancer awareness. There’s nothing like knowing you’re helping others as well as yourself!