Why am I scared of going to a yoga class?
/“Why are yoga classes so scary?” I recently found myself asking.
A couple of weeks ago I was going to attend a virtual yoga workshop through Zoom, and to my surprise a few minutes before I needed to log in, I began feeling anxious.
I have been to this studio before. I have attended yoga classes both in person and online. I am a certified yoga instructor. So, where was this fear coming from?
There are many reasons why yoga classes (in person or virtual) can make people nervous, and I hope by writing my way through this topic, I can help break down my own insecurities as well as offer guidance to those who are new to yoga.
Social Anxiety: Social anxiety occurs when a person “feels symptoms of anxiety or fear in situations where they may be scrutinized, evaluated, or judged by others” (National Institute of Mental Health). Yoga classes can make some feel vulnerable and afraid of judgment, and therefore lead them to avoid such situations altogether.
Feeling out of place: Yoga studios can appear intimidating. They may display photos of people doing challenging poses and symbols that are unknown to you, and they maintain equipment and props with which you may be unfamiliar. Moreover, in many studios, everyone seems to know each other—a situation that can create further unease among first-timers or introverts.
Fear of the unknown and failure: When you don’t know what to expect and are unsure whether you will be able to do the poses, you might, understandably, be anxious. However, such anxiety points to a greater fear—failure. Not being able to do everything you set out to do is often (internally) interpreted as failure.
Fear of pain: Though you may at times experience some level of discomfort or sensation while practicing yoga, you shouldn’t have pain. Fear that that yoga can induce pain can cause people, especially newcomers or those rebounding from an injury, to be cautious to try it. (Seeing fit people contort themselves into various poses in the media or even in studio signage only adds to this image of yoga as potentially pain-inducing.)
Though all of these feelings are valid, there are some thoughts you should try to keep in mind when you face them.
Everyone is on their own journey: If you are nervous about being judged, remember that others are too. Focus on your own breath and body; in doing so, you let others do the same.
Choose a beginner-friendly class: Look for classes labeled “beginner,” “gentle,” or “all-levels.” These are great entry points that will allow you to start slow—and perhaps meet others who are new as well.
If you’re new to a class, let the instructor know: Most instructors are happy to offer modifications, variations, and to answer questions, especially to first-timers. Engaging with your instructor can help you start to feel more at ease.
Go with a friend: When trying anything new, it can help to have support. Going with a friend ensues that you’ll know someone in the class. And if they’ve been to a yoga class before, they can help you get set up or let you know what to expect.
People chatting before class can be a good sign: Before you feel like an outsider, consider that these are friendly and social people—they are engaging with others—and they like the class enough to keep coming long enough to comfortably talk with their classmates.
You should feel sensation, not pain: There's a difference between sharp pain and the sensation of a deep stretch. If you feel any sharp pain, come out of the pose and let the instructor know. Stopping a pose due to severe discomfort is not a failure—it’s wise.
Listen to your body: Don't push yourself beyond your limits. If something feels uncomfortable, come out of the pose and rest.
So again, why am I nervous about attending a yoga class with which I am already familiar? Not all of the above points apply to me, as I am not new to yoga or the studio in question. Still, yoga, for me, is just as much a journey as it is for beginners. And everyone’s journey is their own. I think my fear is based on that. Whether I’m in my first class or my thousandth, I am where I am in that moment and I may not be happy with it. As our lives, bodies, and minds change, so do our experiences in yoga. Each day I come to the mat, a part of me is afraid of what I will find.
The practice of facing my fear—facing myself—every day is the yoga journey. I believe understanding and facing our discomfort is how we begin to understand life. This is the journey inward and that is exactly yoga. Ralph Waldo Emerson alludes to this as well: “He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.”
So, the first—and possibly most important—lesson in yoga might just be getting to the door and walking in. And some might say that it’s the hardest one of all.