Welcome to Yoga! Here are some guidelines to answer some of the question you might have before you experience our Center.
First of all, it is good to know what yoga is all about. Yoga means to unite where mind, body and soul come together. The origins of yoga date back more than 5,000 years to India. It was brought to the West in the 20th century. Yoga has changed many people’s lives not only physically but mentally and spiritually because yoga is not a dogma or religion but a connection within you.
The Yoga Sutra (sacred yoga text translated by Patanjali) says that yoga is the ability to direct the mind without distraction or interruption. All of the yoga classes are practiced with full awareness of the breath (the most powerful tool we have for releasing stress by being in the present moment). Yoga increases awareness and appreciation for life by making us more aware of our body, thought and feeling patterns so we can make better choices and take appropriate actions in our life. Yoga has been found to decrease stress levels and help individuals alleviate stress, depression and other emotional issues. We offer many types of yoga so try to experience as many as you can until you find a class that will be right for you. Let go of the ego and be open for a new possibility of positive change in your body, mind and spirit. Enjoy this magnificent journey!
¬¬Namaste
Guidelines and Recommendations
Eat two hours before class and drink lots of water before and after class.
Wear comfortable clothes that will give your limbs and torso a full range of motion.
Yoga mats are provided for free on your first class then you can rent thereafter.
Please Remove Your Shoes when you come in to the Studio
We try to keep our space clean and pure. Besides--yoga should be practiced barefoot so you feel more grounded and stable in the postures. We recommend that you start with Level 1 or All Level classes At this level you will learn the foundation of the postures (asanas) step-by-step with proper alignment to ensure you feel the benefits of the posture.
The following are some classes which would be recommended for you to start with:- Astanga Preparation -Fridays 4:00-5:15
- Gentle Flow-Tuesdays and Thursday s 11:00-12:15pm
- Gentle Hatha-Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 4:00-5:15pm and Saturdays 9:00-10:30am.
- Intro Hatha Mondays and Wednesdays 4:00-5:15pm
- Intro Vinyasa- Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00-5:15pm
- Kripalu or kripalu Flow- Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:00-8:30pm and Sundays 9:00-10:30am
Let the teacher knows it’s your first time and discuss any health concerns
By letting the teacher knows it’s your 1st time class she/he will help you with proper alignment of the posture and with adjustments (if you don’t feel comfortable with adjustments, let the teacher know.) If you are pregnant or have any kind of injury or pain, let the teacher know before class.
Do not compare yourself to other students
Guru Krishnamacharya said “comparison causes dissatisfaction.” Everyone begins from some starting point and the student next to you might be someone who has been practicing yoga for a while or maybe someone who is more flexible or stronger than you. That is one of the reasons we don’t have mirrors in class, as it is distracting to your own practice. It is not about how you look but how you feel.
Pain is not gain
Pay attention to your body--you don’t go beyond your limits. A modified posture does not mean it is easier, only different to fit your ability. So honor where you are in your practice and you will see the change in your body, mind and soul happening organically.
Please show up on time for the class and stay until the end.
It is always good to be on time for class and stick with it to the end. If you are late to class, please make sure that it is by no more than 10 minutes. It is very important to respect the practice of others as well.
Do not skip the last pose Savasana -deep relaxation
The Savasana at the end of class is just as important as the rest of the yoga class. The relaxation portion of the yoga class will quiet your mind and body. It will restore your body so you will feel complete surrender.
Be consist in your yoga practice
To receive the full benefit of your yoga practice and feel the changes in your body, mind and soul, it is recommended to practice at least three times per week. As you are just starting your practice, you may start with two times per week. However, by just starting yoga you are doing wonders for yourself and your future.
Remember, no expectations
First thing you need to do is to let go of any expectations. This is about you and your practice. Because it is about you, it is already a beautiful thing. You should only expect to advance at your own pace and enjoy the grace, happiness and fulfillment!