What am I meant to be doing while I’m waiting for class to start?

This is Ashtanga Yoga Tech Support. Real questions from the yoga community, answered.

The Question

I’m a beginner yogi, I’ve practiced at home with Youtube videos before and I just recently started going to a studio I really love. I’ve only done “gentle yoga” classes so far but I have a yin class scheduled for tonight. The doors are open 15 minutes prior to the start of class for people to set up mats, grab tools, and get ready. I’ve noticed that some of the people in my class start doing gentle stretching once they’re set up and waiting for the teacher to start. Do I need to be doing that? I…

— via r/yoga

Our Response

No.

You don't need to do anything.

Those people are warming up because that's what feels right for them. Maybe they're tight. Maybe they're anxious. Maybe they've been doing it for twenty years and it's just habit.

You're not behind. You're not doing it wrong.

If you want to stretch, stretch. If you want to sit quietly, sit quietly. If you want to stare at the ceiling and wonder why you signed up for a yin class, do that.

The class starts when the teacher starts.

Everything before that is optional.

And honestly? For yin especially, you don't need to warm up. The whole point is to go in cold. That's where the work happens.

So tonight, set up your mat. Grab your props. Then do whatever makes you feel calm.

That's it.