The Benefits of In-Person Yoga Classes

There have always been at-home Yoga videos and, more recently, online classes. The COVID-19 Pandemic dramatically and fundamentally changed the yoga industry. Most Yoga teachers moved their classes online, and YouTube Yoga became free and easily accessible to many. As a result, Yogis and some Yoga Instructors have never taken an in-person class.

While there are many great YouTube Channels housing videos from gifted Yoga teachers, new and experienced yogis benefit from the power of an in-person or face-to-face yoga class. Read on to learn why you should find and take an in-person class near you.

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Pose Improvement

Certified yoga teachers are highly trained wellness professionals. Qualified yoga instructors can verbally or physically adjust your body position during in-person classes. Online classes don’t offer this type of support.

The benefits of in-person classes are that you can get more out of each pose, minimize the risk of injury, and deepen your practice. Modifications and physical adjustments can be especially beneficial if you have a condition that makes some poses inaccessible or uncomfortable.

Community

Have you ever been to a rock concert and felt the crowd’s energy? Powerful, right? The same vibrational energy is created in a live yoga class but is missing from its online counterpart. Creating common vibrational energy also increases yoga’s benefits.

In yoga, the community is essential. A group working on the same goal with a guide is called a Satsang. The community extends beyond the class or the physical practice. With time, the Satsang becomes a source of support that deepens your practice.

Growth

While there is a comfortable meditative quality of repetitive motions, they are not great for an overall health and wellness program. Varying the speed and style of the class is the best way to enjoy yoga’s physical, mental, and spiritual power. Exploring new teachers and styles will keep your body healthy and strong. Plus, having a live teacher to discuss questions with will progress your practice faster than just watching videos online.

Online and live-stream classes are not all wrong. They are easy to access and can be done anywhere, thus making maintaining your practice easier for some. Online classes also offer a sense of anonymity, making it more comfortable for some beginners. We put together a comprehensive guide to the best yoga YouTube channels for those yoga anywhere moments.

With Yoga, as with life, aim for a well-rounded practice. Take online and in-person classes. Consider making time for solo practice and allow yoga to take you into the postures you need. You will reap the most benefits if you make time for the various yoga practice options.

Yoga 101 – What to Expect at your 1st In-Person Yoga Class

You have decided to sign up for an in-person yoga class, now, what should you expect? While not all yoga classes are created equal, here is a short rundown of what to expect to experience in a typical yoga class.

What to Wear?

• Legging or Shorts
• A Tank that doesn’t slide when you bend over
• Supportive Bra (women)
• Non-Skid Socks (optional – check out Our 18 Best Yoga Socks in 2025)

While social media shows yogis in beautifully matching outfits, that is not a requirement to attend a yoga class. You can practice yoga in just about anything. Choose clothes that you can move in for the basic poses. For example, ensure your tank top is snug enough that you are not struggling to keep it from falling down and covering your eyes when you bend over in a forward fold. The Manduka Essential Leggings are loose enough to allow for movement but tight enough to not get in your way.

Yoga is typically practiced in bare feet, which allows you to “grip” the yoga mat so you don’t slide. If you hate the idea of bare feet or are cold, opt for a pair of yoga socks or shoes.  Skip your everyday socks because they lack the grippers on the bottom to prevent slips and falls.

What to Bring?

• An Open Mind
• Water Bottle
• Sunscreen, Sunglasses, or Bug Spray, if you are practicing outside.
• Yoga Mat (Unless you can rent one)
• Block, Strap, Blanket (optional)

Pre-COVID, most yoga studios had mats to use or rent. Post-COVID, it is best to check with the studio ahead of time. You can purchase an inexpensive Mat, Block, and Strap set in most larger box stores. One of our favorite mats for beginners is the Clever Yoga Better Grip, if you want to purchase one before you go. You don’t have to go crazy by purchasing a full set of anything. First, see which style of yoga you like. Then, you can purchase a mat or gear that works best for you.

A Word on Props

Some yoga lineages (Ashtanga or some styles of Hatha Yoga) do not use props such as blocks, mats, and straps. While others, such as Iyengar, use them extensively. Depending on your practice style, you eventually want to purchase your own.

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The Space

Yoga is practiced outside, in a studio, or in a gym. Outdoor classes are designed to be in partnership with nature.

Studio classes often have a more peaceful or zen feeling. Yoga is a philosophy and lifestyle, not a religion. Studio Classes often have statues of Buddha, Ganesha, and Om throughout the space. If the teacher chants or speaks in Sanscrit, you have not joined a cult; more than likely, they are honoring their teaching lineage. (The teachers who taught them and the teachers before their teachers.) Yoga has a long history of passing knowledge orally from one generation to the next. Hot yoga Classes increase the room’s temperature to anywhere between 80-101 degrees. Bring a hand towel to deal with the sweat, and ensure to hydrate before and after all your classes.

In contrast, gym classes tend to feel more like group fitness or wellness class.

Arriving & Departing

It is best to arrive approximately 15 minutes before the class starts. The teacher will likely introduce themselves to you and ask about any injuries or surgeries. This is a best practice. If you have recently had surgery or have a chronic condition, be sure to share that with the instructor before class starts.

You will remove your shoes and socks as you enter the yoga room and roll out your mat. The yoga floor will have markings indicating mat spacing. As a beginner, you may want to be in the back of the class. However, a space near the front but off to the side may give you a better vantage point from which to see the teacher.

Most Yoga classes end in Shavasana, the posture where you are flat on your back on the mat. This pose allows for some quiet relaxation/meditation before you depart. Do not get up and leave class until the teacher ends Shavasana. If you move while others are in Shavasana, you can disrupt their mediation. After class ends, hang out and chat with the teacher or fellow students. Then roll up your mat and grab your belongings before you exit. Don’t forget to stop by the front desk to register for your next class.

The Class

Every style of yoga is different. But most classes have a clear beginning, middle, and end. The beginning is often done seated. The middle incorporates some Sun or Moon Salutation variation as a warm-up, followed by standing postures, including balance poses. For most, the middle is the most challenging portion of a yoga class. You will typically end with seated poses before Shavasana or mediation.

Some styles of yoga have a set series of postures done in every class with only slight variation. Other types are much more fluid, with the poses varied in every class. Curious about which style of yoga is right for you? Check out our article on What is the right style of yoga for me?

Most Yoga Classes offer modifications but read the class description before signing up and avoid advanced classes/Level 2 classes until you are more comfortable with the practice.

Time to Begin

Now that you know what to expect in a typical yoga class, you can confidently sign up for a class near you. Have patience with yourself; it takes time to learn, and sometimes like, new things. If you find you didn’t enjoy your first class, don’t give up on yoga simply try a different style of yoga or a different teacher. Remember, yoga is a practice, not a product.

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