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Want to torque off half the Birmingham population? Start your blog post with a nonchalant yoga title.

The post title relates to how I feel about attending yoga classes in public. I’m a bigger gal and I have pretty limited flexibility compared to other yogis I know. I know we’re not there to compare ourselves to others, but it’s inevitable as a woman (unfortunately). I’ve attended a few yoga and other classes where I got a lot out of it, but I was self conscious the whole time. The instructors were great, but I am automatically self conscious and want to melt into the floor.

My most recently foray into this was a tai-chi type class. It was quite small, but wonderful and exactly what I had hoped it would be…until the instructor changed directions. After being invisible in the back of the class, we turned and I was in the front. No, no, no, no..not for a first timer. I was pretrified. I will never do that again.

So, my question for all of you: How do you deal with being a newbie at something, but wanting to give it an honest and thoughtful try without intimidation clouding the experience? What are your tricks for overcoming that initial terror, especially when you may not be the typical student? Ideas and tips welcome!