FAQs
Q. I’m not flexible, can I still do yoga?
A. Yes, absolutely! It is a common misconception that you need to be flexible in order to do yoga. In my classes I provide many options for each pose, to help you work with a body is stiff or other limitations. Slowly you will become more flexible and confident with regular practice.
Q. I haven’t done yoga before. What do I need to begin?
A. The main thing you need is your body and your curiosity!
Q. What is yoga?
Most often when we think of yoga, we think of physical postures and, indeed, in most classes this is a major focus. Yoga is much more than that, though.
Classical Yoga, as presented by the Indian sage Patanjali, who lived somewhere around 300 BC, includes eight “limbs” which are:
1. ethical discipline
2. personal observances
3. physical postures
4. breathing techniques
5. quieting the senses
6. concentration
7. meditation
8. blissful freedom
In my classes I will guide your body through stretching, moving, taking deep breaths, perhaps even “working-out,” AND, weave in other elements of classical yoga and complementary practices.
Q. Is yoga a religion?
A. No. It is a philosophy rooted in ancient India thought. You can “take on” as little or as much as you like. There are actually many schools/lineages of yoga. You can participate purely as a way to exercise, stretch, and relax. And, you can go deeper into other aspects of yoga if you wish. It is totally up to you.
Q. Do I need any yoga equipment?
It is possible to practice some styles of yoga, Yin Yoga for example, without equipment. However, generally you need, at minimum, a yoga mat. Yoga mats are not created equal and, at some point it’s good to invest in one that is good quality. Other important props are two yoga blocks, one or two yoga blankets. Still other props that are useful are a yoga strap and a yoga bolster. But, for starters, if you have a mat, that is enough. The second most important props are yoga blocks. Usually yoga studios have all these props for you to use, but these days with the increase of online yoga, it’s good to invest in these. [QUESTTION: Should I link to a section of the equipment I recommend? blog post?]
Q. Why is it best not to eat for two to three hours before yoga?
When practicing yoga, we are placing the body in many positions including twists, forward bends, side bends, back bends, and inversions. It’s best to practice on an empty or nearly empty stomach otherwise, at some point, you might feel uncomfortable and really wish you hadn’t eaten that burrito an hour before class. However, if you have a high metabolism or are prone to low blood sugar, consider having a snack like a piece of fruit half an hour before class.
Q. I’ve got an injury/chronic illness/disease – can I practice yoga?
A. If your body has been, or is, compromised with injury or illness please get your doctor’s clearance before practicing yoga. At the beginning of most classes I ask if anyone is working with injuries and you can let me know if you have something going on. Or, be in touch with me outside class time, especially if you have a medical condition such as high blood pressure, recent surgeries, back injuries, or something that you know you need to take into consideration as you practice. I can give you general guidance on how to approach your yoga practice.
Q. How do I know if I’m doing the poses right?
A. My conclusion is that there is no such thing as a “right” pose. There is your pose according to your bodyon any particular day. The main thing is to not push or force yourself when practicing yoga, and to listen to what your body is telling you. Over time, you will learn the poses, the intention of the poses, where they target, how to be in them safely, how to move in and out of them. How to practice in a way that serves you. I will teach you many alignment and anatomical details but, in the end, what’s most important is that you feel steady/grounded, comfortable, and can inhale and exhale smoothly while in the postures. You do not need to strive towards an idealized version of what you think the pose should be.
Q. What are the benefits of taking a yoga class with you?
A. In the words of students who take my class their experiences include:
increased flexibility, strength, balance, and overall fitness.
feeling energized, grounded, joyful, soothed, and nurtured.
learning many things new things about anatomy, the nervous system, how the body works, how the mind and body interact, how to release stress, tips for managing anxiety, and much more.
feeling calmer, more centered, restored, relaxed, clear, and peaceful.
Q. Is it ok to leave class early?
A. Sure! If you need to leave a class early it’s totally fine, and it’s nice to let me know beforehand. I can help you close your practice so that you leave in a balanced way.
Q. What do all the yoga terms mean?
The language of yoga comes from Sanskrit, an ancient source language of India. Here are a few commonly used terms and brief definitions.
Ahimsa: Non-harm; non-violence.
Asana: A posture or pose that is stable and comfortable; literally it means “seat.”
Chakra: Seven energy centers starting from the base of the pelvis to the crown of the head. They go through the center of the body and line up in front of the spine; literally means “wheel.”
Meditation: A process of training your mind, your attention, towards certain objects such as the breath, a visualization, a theme, and so forth. The Tibetan term for meditation, “gom,” means to become familiar with virtue.
Mudra: A hand gesture where the hands and fingers are placed in a specific configuration. An example is bringing your palms together at your heart.
Namaste: A respectful bow to another with palms together at the heart.
Om: A sacred Sanskrit syllable sometimes chanted at the beginning or end of class; one meaning is that the sounds contain essence of the universe; om is made up of three sounds a-u-m.
Pranayama: Working with the breath in different ways such as deepening, lengthening, shortening, holding, etc. There are many different pranayama practices.
Savasana: Final relaxation pose usually done at the end of a yoga class. The literal translation is “corpse.”
Shanti: Inner peace, calm.
Yoga: To come together; yoke; union; a method of achieving realizations; there are many schools of yoga that flourished in India and they date back several thousand years.