How do I start my yoga practice?

About This Class

This welcoming 32-minute class is designed for absolute beginners who want to feel prepared before stepping into a studio. Instructor Hilaire Lockwood opens with a reassuring philosophy that yoga is accessible to everyone regardless of age, size, or physical condition, then systematically builds a foundational toolkit. The class begins seated with thorough instruction on Ujjayi breath — belly filling, back-body expansion, and the natural breath cycle — before moving into shoulder-socket awareness using a block, rib-cage alignment, and heart-lifting. Students then transition to all fours to explore neutral spine, gentle knee-lift pulses, and an introduction to Downward Facing Dog, woven together through a simplified Surya Namaskar A sequence done from the knees. Props (bolsters, blocks, straps) are used generously throughout. A seated forward fold (Paschimottanasana) with a strap and block offers a hamstring and spine lengthening moment, before the class closes in Savasana with breath releases and a guided explanation of Om and Namaste. The tone is deeply nurturing, educational, and stress-free, making it ideal for anyone with anxiety about starting yoga or returning after a long break.