Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear?
You will need clothes that allow you to move but not too loose, as they will come over your head in forward bends etc
Shoes:
Yoga practice is done in bare feet, so no socks or shoes are required in class.
Can I eat before class?
Try to avoid eating large meals before practice. It is recommended that one eats a meal about three hourse before practice to give your body time to digest and eliminate that meal, so that you can practice in comfort. (If you are pregnant feel free to eat a small meal or fruit before class as three hour fast may be too much for you)
Can I drink during class?
Drinking cold water during the yoga practrice is not recommended (little sips are fine though!). We work on developing heat in the body to allow us to move more freely and this heat helps to eliminate toxins and purify the whole system, pouring cold water onto this heat slows down the whole process. We recommend you drink water throughout the day of your pratice and also afterwards.
Will doing yoga help me loose weight?
Yoga can make you look and feel better, regardless of your weight. That said, Yoga can help you slim down in a couple of ways. First, the exercises will help you burn calories. In addition, they'll help tone your muscles and improve of your posture. Yoga is also about healthy living, which includes a healthy diet. That doesn't mean you have to become a vegetarian, just that you should be conscious of the foods you eat, sticking with natural, fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, etc. as much as possible while limiting your intake of junk food and foods high in fat, like red meat. Any of the basic hatha styles will help. The important thing is to practice daily (or at least 4-5 days a week). If possible, try and find a teacher. Books, videos and website can be a great help, but nothing beats a live instructor.
Can men do yoga?
Obviously, the short answer is yes. Until very recently, in fact, yoga was practiced exclusively by men. But many men are concerned that they will not be welcome in a yoga class or that they are not flexible enough to try yoga. This is a basic misconception: yoga will improve your flexibility, but you do not need to be flexible to do it. Since yoga has been practiced by men for so long, many of the poses actually make more sense for a man's body and some require a lot of upper body strength, which women often lack at first.
What Should I Do About A Slippery Yoga Mat?
When you finally make the big leap to owning your own yoga mat, it can be a little disappointing to discover that your so-called sticky mat has no traction at all. Aside from being annoying, if you are really slipping on your mat, you could hurt yourself. The main difference between your new shiny clean mat and the well-worn version provided by your gym is obvious: your mat needs to be worn in a bit. You can accelerate the aging process by running it through the washing machine with mild detergent. Keep using your mat and it soon will acquire a slip-free surface. If your palms sweating is causing you to slip, try placing a hand towel across the front of your mat. You can use it to dry your hands, and also place your palms right on the towel in poses like Downward Facing Dog. Just make sure the towel is on the mat so it doesn't slide!
Is Yoga Just for Hippies?
Once upon a time, yoga outside of India was most often done on communes by vegetarians. Although yoga comes by this reputation honestly, these days everyone from doctors to CEOs is trying yoga. So, no, yoga will not make you a hippy. Anyone can begin a yoga practice, even someone who is not naturally flexible. If the idea of a noncompetitive, challenging form of exercise that you can do anywhere and progress at you own pace is appealing to you, give it a try.
Can I Do Yoga at Home?
Once you know the poses, you can do yoga anywhere. There are many great yoga books and videos, but there is no substitute for learning directly from a good teacher in a yoga class. If a home practice is appealing to you, I suggest attending some classes at first to get some feedback from a teacher, and then either following a yoga video at home or working out sequences for yourself once you become more advanced. I encourage beginners to find a class and let books and videos be a supplement.
I suffer from social anxiety, despite trying several kinds of medication, nothing really helps me. Can Yoga help?
In general, the combined practice of Yoga postures, meditation and pranayama breathing helps reduce stress and anxiety levels. It also helps build feelings of confidence and well-being and creates a stronger sense of self, all of which can help reduce levels of social anxiety. In addition, some of the practices -- such as Nadi Shodhana and other breathing techniques -- can help alleviate the symptoms of an anxiety attack. Yoga also teachers greater self awareness of mind and body. With practice, you may begin to sense the conditions that lead up to an attack and deal with them before they get out of control. It's important to start and maintain a regular practice. You should feel some immediate temporary relief, but it may take several months before you notice significant change