Want to join a Power Yoga Class here in Portsmouth? Read this beginners guide to help get you started!
Ready to get Sweaty? Today I’m going to show you how to survive your first power flow yoga class.
I remember when I took my first Power Flow. Everyone seemed to be moving SO quickly, without hesitation, kicking up into all kinds of funky poses and not one person appeared to look out of breath… while I was sweating from my eyeballs still getting my head around if I should be breathing in or out, was I mediating, was this still yoga or how was this class remotely relaxing?
And in this no-nonsense guide I’ll cut out all the noise and BS and tell you exactly what to expect in your first class.
So what is Power Flow Yoga?
Power yoga is a fast paced, high energy yoga class incorporating aspects of Ashtanga Yoga into a hot and sweaty Vinyasa Flow. So we’re talking lots of Sun Salutations with an added playful twist from the vinyasa flow. You will work up a sweat, your arms may ache the next day but we are building strength and power! Plus working on that cardio and breathing at the same time. Similarly to a Vinyasa practice and unlike a hatha class we are still moving with the breath, so its still a flow like movement and as always these things come in time so try not to overthink it in your first few practices.
So who is Power Flow for?
With the focus on the breathe and the movement of the body, it’s a great class for anyone with an overactive mind who struggles to switch off, all classes end with a gorgeous mediation while we soak up the goodness of our practice while bringing the energy down and after a fast paced, busy flow our bodies and minds are so grateful for the rest we forget we are even meditating.
The class is a full body work-out, working the legs, arms and abs but that doesn’t mean you need to be a yoga pro to attend. As with all my classes you can adapt the practice to whatever suits your ability and I encourage to you listen to your body and its needs each class. We begin each class with either a gentle breathwork practice or Dharma talk, while gradually stretching out the body with wrist, side body and neck stretches. Releasing the tension of the day, while beginning to prep our bodies for the faster movements.
Step 1: The Process
Your first step with mastering a power flow is learning your Sun Salutations. Each class begins with Sun A and Sun B Variations, just as a typical Ashtanga practice would. If you’ve never practiced yoga before, DON’T PANIC! You will pick this up as you go along, and the more you practice the more you will feel comfortable with the flow. If you’re super nervous maybe try a Vinyasa class, to learn the basic movements at a slightly slower pace, but this certainly isn’t necessary. Yoga is a practice we learn overtime, it’s not a performance. You don’t need to be perfect and perfection takes the fun out of a class!
At this point you’ll be super warmed up and you’ve probably already lost that flow of the breath as you desperately gasp for as much oxygen as you can while we take a mindful break at the top of our mats, which is where step 2 comes in.. HYDRATE. Bring a bottle of water with you to the class.. you’ll need it! You can also bring a Towel or Sticky Yoga Mat Towel too, but honestly we all end up like sweaty messes at the end of each class so I wouldn’t panic if you end up like a sweaty beats at the end of class!
Get ready to FAIL
Step 3 is be ready to fail. Get ready to wobble, to fall over and to not quite master that pose. It happens. So many factors affect our yoga practice, and each class will be entirely different, whether it’s your focus, your breathe or just your achy body so days we will nail each pose, and some days we won’t. We all wobble, we all fall over and we just laugh it off an try again tomorrow. Just because we have a wobble once doesn’t mean we’re never going to practice yoga or attempt to stand on one leg again does it?
And finally, my last piece of power flow advice is to enjoy the small moments. Enjoy the moments we pause and catch our breath, enjoy how good it feels to simply breathe. Enjoy the playlist! Those moments where the entire room is moving in unison, with a killer soundtrack blasting out in the background. That song you haven’t heard in years or gives you a throwback memory, soak It up! And enjoy the community. Enjoy the vibes, enjoy the laughter and the wobbles and appreciate the space, the sanctuary and the Portsmouth Yoga Community.
Thanks to The Beginners Guide: to Power Yoga you can now confidently strut into the studio, roll out that mat and fully blag that yoga confidence with all you need to get started in one place.
Are you ready to Power Flow? With multiple yoga classes available across Portsmouth and Hampshire you truly are spoilt for choice of where to join me. But for the ultimate, power flow experience I’d recommend coming along to Sweat.fitness in Southsea, for a friendly and laid back vibes, with banging tunes and a beautiful modern Southsea Yoga Studio.
Any questions before your first class? Leave a quick comment below or drop me a message and I will help where I can!
Emily xox
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