We love beginning yoga students! You will find a warm welcome at Seattle Yoga Arts if you are new to yoga; we are truly delighted to introduce you to the joys and rewards of yoga practice. The yoga method we teach at Seattle Yoga Arts is a particularly good choice for the beginning student; the logical and effective principles of our style emphasize physical safety and will allow you to feel proficient and rewarded in your practice in a very short time.

New students always say to us apologetically “I’m not very flexible.” Please know that extreme flexibility is not the holy grail of yoga; in fact, hyper-flexibility is undesirable as it destabilizes joints. Our goal is to teach you skills that allow you to feel alive, balanced, and at ease in your physical body, as well as to impart techniques for emotional and mental stability that are a natural outcome of a well-rounded yoga practice.

Things to know if you are new to yoga

• Please be sure to introduce yourself to your teacher and tell them you are new to yoga. They will want to know about any injuries or limitations.
• Find a spot in the second or third row of students, so that you have more experienced students in front of you
• Our community is welcoming, so feel free to introduce yourself to the students around you, and ask them any questions
• Class begins with a brief period of seated centering, then warm-up movements, and builds steadily to a pinnacle pose. Cooling down poses are followed by a reclining rest (savasana)
• Always feel free to rest during practice; your teacher will never force or push you to stay in poses. You will build strength and endurance over time. Enjoy your practice, and always let us know how we can make your yoga experience more enjoyable!