Yoga Supplies and Tips Please

[ShoppGirl 5,072]

So I recently found out my community center offers a couple of Yoga classes and the one that works for me schedule wise is called stretch and flow. I am just trying to get the supplies I will need to get started. I am an absolute beginner.

I do have a yoga mat that I bought to put under my Ab roller but it’s not very thick so I’m not sure it will be good for my knees. Do I need a thicker one. I also noticed they have some that say they are good for sweat which I’m sure I will do even during regular yoga because I sweat super easily. Should I go with that one? If they had one that was both thick and good for sweat I would just go with it but it seems to be one or the other. The sweat one is prettier though. lol.

What about clothes. So far in this size I just have a couple pair of bicycle shorts I wear to walk around the block. I assume I need pants of some sort but do people really wear the flare bottomed ones anymore or can I go with the slim leggings? Any particular material or better yet brands that work better for one reason or another? Also, I don’t think I’m quite ready to be out in public in just a sports bra do some people wear shirts? I assume I will need something more fitted like a tank maybe (oh boy the first showing of my big white arms, lol). Any suggestions there.

Amazon also has mat bags and straps, yoga straps, balls and bricks plus knee pads. Is any of that necessary to get started? I suppose I could get the knee pads and use the mat I already have but the mats aren’t terribly expensive if that would be one less thing to have to carry and buy anyways. Ooh and they did have a mat towel that says it had something in the corners that sticks it down? It’s for hot yoga but for me I think right now any yoga will be hot yoga. Would you advise getting that? Also, what about the socks? Are they helpful? Do you go barefoot otherwise or wear regular socks?

They have contact Info for the instructor on the site should I email her and let her know I’m a beginner and want to attend or just kinda show up, stay towards the back and do what I can?

Also, where do people put their stuff? Like is it okay to bring in my purse and phone or should I lock that In the car or what. It isn’t like a gym where everyone knows everyone. It’s just the community center so I’m not sure who will be there and I’m 99% certain there will not be any lockers.

One last thing, is yoga considered strength training? Do I still want to do my walking for cardio that same day or do I take that day off?

Sorry for so many questions but this will be my first group class in over 20 years and my first real month of exercising at all in just as long. I honestly don’t really know what to expect other than the fact that I won’t be able to do much to start but I need to get over that just like I did with the walking.

Edited September 21, 2024 by ShoppGirl

[catwoman7 11,278]

I did yoga for years (haven't in a while, though). You're probably not going to do much, if any, sweating unless it's hot yoga - and I doubt they'd have that at a community center. You'll usually find those kinds of rooms at a regular yoga studio. (I didn't sweat in yoga classes even when I weighed well over 300 lbs)

I always wore sweat pants and a t-shirt. So did a lot of other people, at least when I did it. You don't necessarily need specific yoga clothing - although some people do wear that.

the mat you have is probably fine for starters - and maybe forever. If you find it too uncomfortable the first couple times you go, then you can get a thicker one - or get another thin one and just use them both together. But for now, I'd give it a try with what you have.

I wouldn't worry about blocks and straps, either. Not all forms of yoga use those. You can always get them later if the style they're doing requires them.

balls - knee pads - no. I've never used either of those in yoga.

you'll definitely be barefoot in yoga. You'd slide around in socks.

for the first couple of times, just take your existing mat and wear comfortable clothes. Then you can buy other things later if you need them.

P.S. instructors are good at modifying poses if some people in the class find some of them too challenging. In addition to that, I'd often scout out a spot in the back of the room so if there was some pose I couldn't do (or didn't like doing), I'd do something else.

Edited September 22, 2024 by catwoman7

[Arabesque 7,590]

I did it for years too. It was focussed on breathing and stretching & included the flow routines so it sounds like what you will be doing. It did have a fancy yoga name which I can’t remember now. I loved it which is why I incorporated the stretches in the routines I do at home now. Hope you enjoy it too.

It likely wouldn’t be considered strength training but many of the stretches and poses use your body weight so will it help build strength? Yes. You’ll also find that it slowly improves your general fitness too because of the broth work. I remember noticing the improvement when going to the camp we took our year 6 classes to every year. There was this big hill I’d always struggle to climb but a year after starting yoga I didn’t have an issue at all. Actually lead the way up the hill.

I only wore slim legged track pants and a t shirt or fitted singlet top. Your bike shorts will be fine and I top you’ll feel comfortable in and bare feet are fine. Sure there will be people in the latest trendy yoga gear but it’s not necessary.

I found a thick foam exercise mat at Kmart (here in Australia) which helped with my bony bits when I do my stretches now. See how you go with your yoga mat and look for a thicker mat if you need it.

My yoga instructor used to provide latex bands to use for some of the stretches and we all just bought a towel which we rolled up to use if we needed extra support. Honestly you can end up spending a fortune on clothing and equipment so I’d hold off first to see how much you really love it and what you actually need.

If you’re worried about your personal belongings, keep your keys, wallet, phone & whatever else in a bag and set it beside you with your water bottle. You could pop in your shoes & jacket (for when you start to feel the cold) too so you have all your belongings with you.

[Spinoza 1,518]

Comfy clothing and a mat will get you through most yoga classes. And yes good idea to dress appropriately for the temperature. I hope you really enjoy.

[ShoppGirl 5,072]

Thank you everyone!! I am going to wait until next week because I will be 8 weeks out. NP says I’m good to do anything but weights now but I just feel like it may be more strenuous for me than she thinks. Maybe not but at least I will feel safer then so I can focus on the poses instead of whether I am hurting myself. I actually may even pull up some stuff on you tube or whatever and just watch now so maybe some of it will at least be a little familiar.

I did order some cheap leggings on Amazon that had three In a pack for $29 and they were garbage. The material was not nice at all. I am sending them back. I will get one pair of nicer ones because I will need them to walk outside soon anyways. I figure I can get Navy and wear them with different tops. Right now I am nursing THREE blisters anyways. I had the one on the side of my foot for like 5 days now. Started small but I put a blister cushion on it and tried to keep doing my 5-7 miles for two more days and it just got bigger and bigger. Now it’s huge.

Then I had the brilliant idea that I could just wear my slides and walk inside but apparently those squish my toes too close together because the second day of that I got little blisters on the inside of my pinky toes. My feet are probably like we had a lot of years of a really cushy job, what in the heck are you doing to us. It will be good to have something else to do to give my poor feet a break on between.

[ShoppGirl 5,072]

A couple more questions. A few sites have said that you shouldn’t do yoga after eating. Is my morning proffee okay since it’s liquid. I’m really in the habit of doing that first thing and I need it to take my Multivitamin. Also, some sites say no drinking for a while after too. Is that really important?

[Arabesque 7,590]

Never heard of either of those things before but then my classes were at 6pm & my friend & I would have dinner after.

[ms.sss 15,814]

1 hour ago, ShoppGirl said:

A couple more questions. A few sites have said that you shouldn’t do yoga after eating. Is my morning proffee okay since it’s liquid. I’m really in the habit of doing that first thing and I need it to take my Multivitamin. Also, some sites say no drinking for a while after too. Is that really important?

personally i just PREFER to exercise (any exercise) on an empty stomach. i just feel lighter and more nimble vs when im full of food.

i've never heard of it being good or bad for you tho...i thinks its just personal preference.

[ShoppGirl 5,072]

Well, I woke up super early even though my class isn’t until 9 because i’m low key nervous but today is the big day. Hopefully I don’t embarrass myself too much. 🤞

[ShoppGirl 5,072]

Well I did it!! It was an hour and a half long and by the end my legs and arms were shaking and I was all sweaty unlike the rest of the class because it was a workout for me but I had fun. The instructor came up to me afterwards and said that I was actually quite flexible for a first timer. I’m pretty sure she was just being encouraging but it was still nice. Next week there is an cardio/ strength class I want to do and of course yoga again. They both meet twice a week but I will see how I do after the first set. May need a few days to recover. lol

[MrsFitz 441]

It’s lovely to read about how much you’re enjoying trying out different exercise and activities!

[ShoppGirl 5,072]

4 hours ago, MrsFitz said:

It’s lovely to read about how much you’re enjoying trying out different exercise and activities!

Thanks, I never would think it would even be possible for me to even remotely enjoy exercise. I mean, don’t get me wrong. It’s not as fun as like shopping or anything, but it feels really good after to know that I did something good for my body and it’s not torture now at least and YOGA it’s quite a bit more fun than just walking 🤣

Edited September 28, 2024 by ShoppGirl

[ms.sss 15,814]

and just like that a fitness lover is born.

👍🏼😎😂

[ShoppGirl 5,072]

I do have another question for those of you with more experience with Yoga. I just bought regular leggings because they were cheaper and I can wear them outside when it gets colder here to do my walking too but, they come up really high in the waist and they rolled down on a few of the poses during class. I will deal with it for a while since I’m almost in the next size anyways but are the ones with the V shape in the front better for when I need the smaller size? For people who still have a belly too or are they all going to roll down on me for a while?

[Arabesque 7,590]

I’m thinking this will only be a problem for a while. Once your tummy starts to disappear it won’t be much of an issue unless the waist is sitting too high and rolls down when you bend cause it’s in the way. Maybe try ones that sit just below your waist. Never tried the v waisted ones. When I do all my stretches (many yoga based) I just wear my round the house leggings which aren’t really Lycra leggings and in summer I just wear short thicker knit shorts. Both sit more around my hips than waist.