Yoga for beginners: your first class

Choose how you want to begin

The first choice is between a shared class and a more individual session. A group offers a common time and the experience of practising alongside other people. A private session lets us arrange the time directly and discuss what you want in more detail. Neither option is best for everyone.

Think about what would make turning up easier: leaving home for a studio, staying in your own space or reserving time just for yourself. You can say that you are unsure. You do not need an elaborate goal; wanting to get to know the practice is already a reason to talk.

In my Heartway method, practice begins with attention to the person. I teach in Portuguese and English. Tell me which language you prefer for instructions and whether you are starting from scratch or returning after a break.

To choose a session with me, browse classes and times.

For an introduction to the practice, read what is yoga. If you want to try the fabric, prepare for your first aerial yoga class.

Confirm the right class on the timetable

Read the name, venue and terms before booking. Yoga appears in different formats, and an aerial class is different from a first experience on the mat. If a class name does not tell you much, ask me what it involves.

My Ericeira and Lisbon location pages contain addresses and booking routes. The timetable helps you choose a possibility; a place still needs confirmation. For private practice, send your preferred times. Zoom group classes run Wednesdays and Fridays, 07:00–08:00 (Europe/Lisbon), with advance booking.

If you are travelling between Lisbon and Ericeira, allow for the journey and check where you will actually practise. Heartway names my method and offering, not a single building in which every session happens. Check the address in your booking rather than relying on a photo.

Clothing and equipment for your first class

Ask first what the venue provides. Mats and props can vary between spaces. You do not need to turn a first class into a shopping list; knowing whether to bring your own mat, water or an extra layer is more useful.

Choose clothing you can move in without spending the session adjusting it. If the class uses suspended fabric, check the guidance for that practice. What works for a floor-based class may not be the right choice when it comes into contact with equipment.

Before leaving, confirm the address, entrance, time and payment arrangements. Ask where personal belongings can go. If you are joining online, test the connection and sound beforehand; your space and camera need their own preparation. You can find a separate guide to that format below.

During your first class

You can ask for help and say when an instruction is unclear. Learning a new name while trying to understand a movement can be a lot of information at once. There is no advantage in guessing so that you appear experienced.

The person on the next mat has a different history and starting point. Rather than judging the class by how a posture looks, notice whether you understood the guidance and could communicate what you needed. You can ask for a pause or another option.

For questions about health or suitability, seek individual advice. NCCIH recommends appropriate instruction and modifications where needed. These notes are practical preparation, not an exercise programme or clinical assessment. Tell me what practical support would make the class easier to follow without sending sensitive medical details in the public form.

Afterwards, decide what you want to repeat

After a first session, you do not need to commit immediately to a pass or a long routine. Consider the format, language, journey and how easily the time fits your week. A practice you can actually attend may be more realistic than an ambitious plan that creates pressure.

You can tell me what you enjoyed and what remained unclear. If a group was not the right format, we can discuss private or online practice. If you liked the group but the time does not work, tell me which alternatives you could consider.

Before buying several classes, check the pass validity and venue rules. Published Ericeira Pole & Aerial prices apply only to that studio. Do not assume they cover Lisbon classes, visits to your home or specialist sessions. Making that distinction now avoids buying something different from what you intended.

One possible first week

Choose a single session to try before arranging a whole week of classes. First, identify the format that interests you. Then check whether the place and time fit your day, including travel. Only then confirm the place and equipment. This order leaves fewer decisions until the last moment.

You could write: “Hello Ana, I am starting yoga and looking for a class after work. I prefer English and can travel to Ericeira. Could you explain which format you suggest and the cost of a first session?” You do not need to describe a physical target or justify why you want to begin.

After the reply, put the essentials in your calendar: class name, address, time and contact. For an online session, add the agreed time zone and joining link. Leave the choice of a pass until you know the format and its terms.

Common questions