New to yoga
Yoga for beginners in Barnstaple
Never done yoga before? Good, you are exactly who these classes are for. The Loft is an airy studio on Boutport Street in Barnstaple where every class welcomes complete beginners, with a gentler option always on offer.
You don't need to be fit, flexible, or any good at it. Flexibility is what yoga builds, not what you turn up with. If you can breathe, you can practise, and the teacher will always show you an easier version of anything that doesn't suit your body today.
Classes are small and the teaching is patient. No perfect poses, no pressure, nobody watching to see if you get it right. You rest when you need to and work at your own pace. Beginners are the point here, not a problem to be managed.
Where to start
Every class on the timetable is open to beginners. If you're not sure which to pick, start with one of these.
- Most weekday mornings
Morning Flow
A steady, welcoming flow to set the day up right. The easiest place to begin.
See dates and book - Saturdays, first light
Sunrise Flow
A gentle waking flow to ease the body into the weekend.
See dates and book - Monday evenings
Candlelit Yin
Slow, held poses by candlelight. Nowhere to rush, nothing to force.
See dates and book - Some Thursday evenings
Yoga Nidra
Guided deep rest, lying down. Often called yogic sleep. No experience needed.
See dates and book
The one to leave for later is Power Flow on Wednesday evenings. It's the strongest class of the week, and it's there to grow into rather than to start with.
See the full timetableWhat your first class is like
- Arrive early. Give yourself about ten minutes on your first visit. The door closes two minutes before the start so everyone can settle, and once it's shut we can't let latecomers in.
- Wear what's comfy. Clothes you can move in and some water. Bring a mat if you own one, or rent one of ours for £1.
- Fill in one short form. The first time you book there's a quick health and liability form, so the teacher knows how to look after you. A couple of minutes, once only.
- Then just practise. Find a spot, follow along at your own pace, and rest whenever you like. That's the whole of it.
An easy way to start
Try a single class for £12, or if you already know you want to keep going, new students can take a £30 intro month of unlimited classes to find their feet. Mats are £1 to rent if you don't bring your own.
About the intro monthBeginner questions
I've never done yoga. Which class should I start with?
Morning Flow is the easiest place to begin: steady, welcoming, and on most weekday mornings. If you'd rather start slower, Candlelit Yin holds gentle poses with nowhere to rush, and Yoga Nidra is guided rest lying down, so there is nothing to get wrong. Every class on the timetable welcomes beginners.
Do I need to be fit or flexible?
No. Flexibility is something yoga builds, not something you bring. If you can breathe, you can practise. The teacher always offers a gentler option for any shape, so you work at your own pace, not anyone else's.
What if I can't do a pose?
That's expected, and it's fine. There's an easier version of everything, and you can rest whenever you need to. Nobody is watching or marking you. Beginners are the point, not a problem.
What do I need to bring to my first class?
Comfortable clothes you can move in, some water, and a mat if you have one. No mat? Rent one of ours for £1 a class. The first time you book, there's a short health and liability form so the teacher knows how to look after you. It takes a couple of minutes and you only do it once.
Will everyone else be more experienced than me?
The Loft opens in Barnstaple in September 2026, so a lot of people will be starting at exactly the same time as you. Classes are small and the teaching is patient. By week two, someone knows your name.
How much does it cost to try a class?
A single class is £12. If you already know you want to keep going, new students can take a £30 intro month of unlimited classes to find their feet. See the pricing page for the full picture.
Find us in Barnstaple
The Loft, 36 Boutport Street, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 1RX. Right in the middle of town, up in the roof. See the contact page for how to find us.
Opening September in Barnstaple
Be first on the mat.
We open on Boutport Street this September. Leave your email and you'll be first to hear when booking opens, and first to claim the £30 intro month.