Yoga Classes Shouldn’t Feel Scary…So Why Are So Many of Us Intimidated to Join One?
If the idea of joining a Yoga class makes you feel nervous, awkward or panicky, I want you to know that you aren’t alone! In fact, this fear is far more common than you might think, especially for busy women who are juggling work, family, energy levels and the endless mental load of everyday life.
I hear it all the time, women who want to start Yoga classes, but feel like they aren’t flexible enough, or worry that everyone else will know what they are doing and they will just look silly, or promise themselves they will join when they are slimmer/more active/have more time. These women know that Yoga is going to help them feel calmer, feel stronger, sleep better, feel less stressed and find that sense of balance that they have lost along the way, but something stops them in their tracks, when it comes to joining a Yoga class.
So why does Yoga feel so intimidating to begin? Let’s take a look and hopefully ease some of that fear, if you’re feeling the same way.
Why Joining a Yoga Class Can Feel So Intimidating
For many women, Yoga is a way to slow down, notice their bodies, be present and seen and these things can feel super vulnerable. Add in years of messaging about how bodies should look, the myth that Yoga is only for the slim and flexible people and the pressure to “do it right”, it’s no wonder why so many women hesitate at the “Book Now” button.
You might also be:
Returning after a long break
Managing injuries, pain or stiffness
Feeling tired, stressed or low in confidence
Worrying about technology or online platforms
Concerned about committing time that you just don’t have
All of these feelings are very real and very valid!
When I first started on my Yoga journey, I went to a lot of studios where I felt totally intimidated. I felt like the stiffest person in the room, the person in the largest body, the person wearing the oldest (and most) clothes, the person who was “obviously” a beginner. I used to place my mat in the far back corner of the Hot Yoga Studio I used to attend, to make myself as small and invisible as possible. There were plenty of times when I felt like I didn’t belong and would have happily left that class and never gone back again, but something kept me going back and that was the real reason Yoga exists (and something that a lot of studios often forget about)…
Yoga is not about being flexible, it’s about being real and truly yourself
Yoga was never meant to be about touching your toes or mastering jaw dropping poses.
At it’s heart Yoga is about:
Supporting your nervous system
Helping you move and breathe with more ease
Building awareness, strength and steadiness (on and off the mat)
Learning how to treat yourself and others with kindness and compassion
It was never about:
Wearing expensive kit
How long you have been practicing
A certain body type
Endless time on the mat
You only need a willingness to meet yourself where you are, on any given day and a teacher who creates a safe and supportive space for that.
So What Actually Happens in a Yoga Class?
A lot of the fear for when you are starting out in Yoga (or returning after a break) is the fear of the unknown. Whilst I can’t speak for all classes here, this is what you can expect if you attend one of my Online Yoga Classes:
You’ll be guided clearly and calmly (I am fully visible on the screen & demonstrate all the poses with you)
Options are offered for different bodies and energy levels, with zero judgement
Rest is encouraged
You are never expected to push through any pain and you deciding what feels good for you, is actively encouraged
I absolutely can promise you, that in any Yoga class you attend, no one is watching or judging you and there really is no such thing as “being bad at Yoga”. Everyone is far too busy focusing on their own breath and trying not to wobble, just like you!
Yoga For Busy Women Doesn’t Have to be All or Nothing
Another common fear I see, is commitment, Many women worry that if the join a class, they’ll need to commit and be there on time and if this doesn’t happen, they have failed. But Yoga doesn’t work that way! Yoga fits around your life, not the other way round.
Sometimes Yoga looks like:
A 10 minute stretch at your desk, in between meetings
Laying on your mat and taking some deep breaths
Chooser a shorter class, because that’s what fits into your schedule today
Skipping a week and returning, completely guilt free
Consistency is built through kindness, not by placing more pressure on yourself. And this is something the most supportive Yoga spaces understand completely.
Online Yoga Classes Can Feel Safer Than You Think
If walking into an unfamiliar studio feels daunting, online Yoga can be a great place to start! Online Yoga allows you to:
Practice in your own home, on your own terms
Turn your camera off if you aren’t comfortable being seen
Move at your own pace
Replay sessions that you loved (or if fancy challenging yourself again)
Choose times that work for you, without having to stress about missing traffic and finding a parking space (in the rain)
For many women, online Yoga classes removes the fear of being seen and creates the confidence to keep showing up.
You Don’t Need Confidence To Start, Because Yoga Helps You Build It
Another thing I hear a lot of women say is “I’ll join when I feel more confident”, but confidence doesn’t come before Yoga, it actually grows because of it! Through:
Learning to listen to your own body
Noticing what you can do (rather than focusing on what you can’t)
Feeling calmer and more grounded
Building trust in yourself
Yoga becomes a quiet reminder that you are capable, just as you are.
A Final Reminder If You’re Still Hesitating
If you’ve been thinking about Yoga for a while and you know that it would help, because something in you is craving calm, support and space to breathe, then this is your permission to start now! Starting now doesn’t have to look perfect, you just need to take that first step and do it. Yoga is not reserved for the confident, flexible or fearless, it’s for:
Tired women
Busy women
Women returning after a break
Women who feel nervous
Women who want to feel better in their bodies and minds
Real women with real lives
The right Yoga space will always meet you with warmth, patience and understanding and should never feel intimidating.
Ready To Take The First Step?
Starting Yoga doesn’t have to be a big leap, it can absolutely be a small and supported step. Come and join us on Thursday 22nd January at 6.30pm for our Yoga Without The Fear Workshop, online. It’s completely free when you sign up for our 14 day free trial, full details are here