Choice of Studios: once you narrow down your choices, give a studio more than a few sessions to decide if you like it or not. Some studios will give a first-time student low-priced pass so you can max out your sampling.

The instructor is the key: if you find one you like, stick with him/her until you’re ready to move on. You need someone who can guide you through the process, not a drill sergeant or a guru who makes you feel like a ignoramus because you can’t remember the Sanskrit name of a posture.

Outside of major cities, most people won’t have much choice: there will be a limited number of places and instructors to pick from. That’s when you can supplement your options with DVDs, on-demand videos and the Internet.

After trying different styles and teachers… you just figure out when you feel ‘home’ and which philosophy speaks the most truth to your heart : )