What to Expect in Your First Yoga Class at Every Body Studio

Starting yoga for the first time can feel exciting, and maybe a little nerve-wracking. If you’ve ever thought “I’m not flexible enough for yoga”, “I don’t know what I’m doing”, or “What if I’m the only beginner?”, you’re not alone.

At Every Body Studio in Oxford, our aim is to make yoga feel accessible, welcoming, and genuinely supportive, especially if it’s your first class. Here’s exactly what to expect when you step through our doors on Magdalen Road.

A Warm Welcome: Your First Yoga Class at Our Oxford Studio

From the moment you arrive and walk up the stairs, you’ll be greeted by one of our friendly receptionists or one of our studio teachers who understands that starting something new can feel vulnerable.

Yoga at Every Body Studio is designed to be welcoming to beginners and seasoned yogis alike. All you need is a willingness to try, and an open mind towards what yoga might do for you. You certainly don’t need:

• prior yoga experience

• a certain body type

• a certain standard of flexibility, strength, or fitness

• fancy clothes or expensive equipment

Our studio is calm, supportive, and intentionally non-intimidating. There are deliberately no mirrors in our studio on Magdalen Road, with our teachers offering lots of options to help make yoga accessible to all those that choose to join us.

As a community yoga studio in Oxford, we welcome people from all walks of life, you are welcome just as you are.

What to Wear and Bring

When trying yoga for the first time, it’s best to keep it simple. Comfortable clothing you can easily move around in are our studio recommendations. Leggings, joggers, shorts … even pyjama bottoms are all perfect. Whatever helps make you feel most comfortable and supported.

Here’s a list of everything you might want to bring with you:

• yourself

• optional: a water bottle

(yes, that really is it!)

We provide:

• yoga mats

• blocks, bolsters, blankets, eye pillows … (aka alllllll the props)

• water and herbal teas

• tampons and sanitary pads in our toilet

If you have your own mat, you’re of course more than welcome to bring it, but it’s certainly not required.

And, as a community-based yoga studio, we don’t believe in charging you to use our studio mats or props. All our mats are wiped down after class allowing you to simply show up, practise and carry on your merry way.

Before the Class Starts

• Arriving 5–10 minutes early is ideal. This gives you time to:

• grab some water or hot tea and settle in to the space

• use the studio toilet to freshen up before class

• ask the teacher any questions

• let us know about injuries or concerns

Your teacher will help you get comfortable and answer anything you’re unsure about, nothing is too small or silly to ask.

Arriving at our Every Body Studio in Oxford can be done by bike, walking, taking public transport or by car. There are some free 2-3 hour parking spaces available along Magdalen Road however we do encourage you to join us car-free if you can!

During the Class: What It’s Really Like

Every Body Studio classes in Oxford are designed with real bodies and real lives in mind. Our studio teachers are trained to teach with inclusivity at its core and will explain poses and movements in an accessible way, offering:

• options to dial it up or tone it down

• modifications to suit you and what your body needs

• invitations to rest

You’re encouraged to listen to what your body truly needs, not to push through discomfort. We encourage you to move with kindness towards your body knowing there is no judgment from us which option or modification you choose to go for. After all, we’re all unique beautiful beings that need different things at different times. And, whatever you choose is welcome and celebrated.

In fact, you’re always welcome to:

• take breaks

• skip poses

• move differently to the person beside you

• move differently to the teacher

• rest whenever you need

At Every Body Studio, that is yoga. You are encouraged to focus more on how it feels in your body, rather than how a certain pose looks.

After the Class

After class you’re asked to wipe down our studio mats and put back any props that have been used for your practise.

You’re welcome to chat with the teacher afterwards, ask questions, or quietly head off. There’s no pressure to socialise or sign up for anything.

If you did have some extra time to spare to really soak up being in that post-yoga bubble, we’d highly recommend checking out a few of our neighbours along Magdalen Road. Our post ‘Wellness spots in Oxford to check out after your class at Every Body Studio’ shares a few of our favourites including Missing Bean Coffee Roasters, Green Routes and Wild Honey.

Which Yoga Class Should Beginners Choose in Oxford?

If you’re new to yoga, and not too sure which class to start with, we recommend starting with our beginner-friendly yoga classes, or our gentle or slow-paced sessions. You might like to try our:

• Beginner-friendly Wednesday evening class with Claire at 6:00pm

• Flow and Restore Tuesday evening class with Sarah at 7:30pm

• All levels Vinyasa Yoga Thursday lunch time class with Claire at 12:00pm

If you’re unsure, feel free to contact us via email (hello@everybodystudio.co.uk) or ask a teacher next time you’re at the studio. We’re always happy to help you choose the right class for you.

Starting yoga isn’t about changing your body, it’s about meeting yourself where you are. At Every Body Studio, we believe yoga is for every body, exactly as you are today. If you’re looking for beginner-friendly yoga in Oxford, we’d love to welcome you.

Interested in joining a class with us? You can view our studio timetable here.

Get to know our studio teachers here.