If you’re looking to dive deep into a yoga practice, applaud yourself. Also, consider what kind of practice you envision. It may seem like a piece of cake: Pick a studio and go for it. Yet, realize that as you dive deeper and harder into your practice, there are details to keep in mind:



1. Personality

If you are gong to be a yogi, get in tune with yourself.

Are you a competitive little creature, preferring consistency, with tolerance for extreme heat? Think Bikram.

Are you intense and highly charged? Think Power Yoga.

Easily bored and like improvisation and flux? Think Vinyasa.

Up for a challenge and want to muster up a sweat? Think Hot Yoga.

Highly diligent? Think Ashtanga.

A ferocious warrior? Think Kundalini.

Spiritual, meditative, and calm, or broken and battered? Think Restorative Yoga.

Stressed out and mentally taxed? Think Hatha.

Independently-minded? Stick with videos and/or books, and if you have the money, look into private instruction.

Desire fast results? Pursue a 200-hour training course.

A novice? Don’t step into an advanced class. Your head will be spinning as you observe bodies floating from handstands into unimaginable pretzel poses.



2. Studio

Every studio has a unique vibe and set-up. Consider the following to make your practice flow. 

Mat rentals. Some studios have mat rentals, while some require you to bring your own mat. This may seem like a silly detail, but some people don’t like to commute with their yoga mat all day in preparation for a class. Also, some people are forgetful and like to fall back on a rental service.  

Temperature. If you don’t like heat, don’t go to a Hot Yoga or Bikram class. If you are unsure of whether or not the studio is heated, call. Some studios don’t make it clear.
Price. Donation based classes seem great it theory. Keep in mind, though, that the quality will oftentimes not be as strong and consistent given the underpaid teachers and the lack of yoga instructor retention. Fixed price classes will generally have higher consistency and solid retention of instructors.  

Community. Some yoga studios are like families. If you are not looking for conversation, exchange, and human connectedness in your practice, try to find a yoga studio that is more impersonal. Gym yoga classes and larger classes are usually good if you are seeking a more self-centered practice. Bikram is also a self-centered practice.  

Mirrors. Sometimes mirrors are distracting. Some people get obsessed with checking themselves (and others) out and lose focus on their practice. For others, it helps them to see their bodies in order to tweak poses. 

Chanting. Many yoga studios incorporate chanting and spiritual stories before and after the practice. If you are uncomfortable with this, find a studio that sticks to a simple 3 Oms after (and maybe before) the practice. Bikram does not incorporate chanting. Gym studios generally don’t incorporate chanting.



3. Instructor

It is important to find a teaching style that works for you. 

Injured. Find an Anusara-inspired teacher or an instructor specializing in therapeutic yoga. 

Chanting. As mentioned, some instructors will belt out chants, sometimes filling up to 10 minutes of a 60-minute session. If that’s not your thing, research the instructor, ask around, and read reviews. 

Training. Know the background and experience your instructor has to help determine how the class will flow. If you are under a new instructor, be mindful that he or she could be a little rough around the edges. If the instructor is highly polished, the level of intensity could very well put you in pretzel poses.   

Storytelling. If you go to a yoga class to unwind – to spend time with yourself – steer clear of the talkative yoga instructors that enjoy relaying spiritually charged stories of lucky elephants and leaping monkeys. 

Music. If you find music a distraction, or have particular musical tastes, find an instructor that does without. In Bikram, there is generally no music. In Hot Vinyasa flow, there is, oftentimes, music. 

Gender. If you go to a class with an opposite sex instructor, make sure you feel comfortable with potential adjustments. If not, nicely mention before class that you are uncomfortable with adjustments. If you don’t like being touched period, nicely deliver this information to your instructor.  

By keeping all this in mind and researching reviews and instructors, you’ll be well on your way to a flowing, fitting practice.

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