Finding yoga classes is much easier today than it was years ago because many gyms, recreation centers, schools and county or state programs now provide them on a regular basis. Many people who practice yoga regularly notice greater body awareness, stronger muscles, a calmer, more spiritual heart and mind, and more flexibility. Note that the Mayo Clinic recommends that you "check with your doctor or other health care provider before starting a new yoga program."
Step 1
Ask trusted friends and neighbors if they know about any good yoga classes in your area. You may be surprised to find out that more people than you thought practice yoga. Also, they might be able to take you for a free trial class so that you can try out yoga in the comfort of someone you know.
Step 2
Search for yoga classes via the internet. Try typing [your city] or [your state] and "yoga classes." You can also try searching for yoga studios or fitness centers in your area. Check their websites to see if they have classes that suit your needs. Also consider searching on the Yoga Alliance website for registered yoga schools and teachers in your area (see Resources). Yoga Alliance sets the standards for what constitutes a "registered yoga teacher" or "RYT."
Step 3
Call your local gyms, YMCA's, recreation centers and county or state park services. You can find their numbers in your phone book under "health clubs," "fitness" or "recreation." Ask them if they have regular yoga classes. You can also try martial arts or Pilates centers, since they sometimes offer yoga classes along with their regular programs.
Step 4
Look in your local newspapers and state or county park guides. Newspapers may advertise health clubs in your area, and county and state program guides often hold class sessions on a seasonal basis.
Step 5
Try yoga classes online. Many websites provide free yoga classes on the web. This can get into yoga practices until you can find local yoga classes to take in person.
Tips and Warnings
- Be sure to try a trial class or two at a yoga studio before signing up for a class card (a package of yoga class sessions). Most yoga studios have a walk-in rate. Likewise, health clubs should offer trial memberships. Yoga is best practiced within the presence of an encouraging, trained yoga instructor. You can confirm that a yoga instructor is registered by visiting YogaAlliance.org and searching for his name under "registered teachers."
- Never practice yoga poses to the point of pain.
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