FAQ’s
Is yoga fun?
Many people enjoy their yoga practice immensely, discovering new strengths in themselves every day. The time you reserve for daily yoga practice is devoted to your health and well-being. For many, this creates an oasis in a stressful or hectic schedule, a time to focus on building their reserve of peacefulness and balance in a sea of change. Others enjoy it for the workout and fitness benefits as well as enhanced well-being it can provide, or the camaraderie of practicing beside others with similar interests and goals. Our studio provides a friendly and focused space for your yoga practice.
Do I have to be in good shape and flexible to start practicing yoga?
No. Yoga helps you regain some more of your youthfulness, reduces unneeded weight, repairs injuries to your body, and improves your balance, flexibility and muscle tone. You don’t need these things to begin, because these are the things you get back.
Do I have to be young?
Hatha Vinyasa can benefit all ages. Because it is gradual and progress is individualized, it can be started at any age. Current students at VinyasaYoga Center range from late teens to mid 60s.
What should I wear?
It is best to come in layers so that you can strip down to lightweight comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely and won’t make you too hot. The class is held in a warm room that will support the body heat you will produce. You will get hot! You can then put on your warmer clothes to warm down in. Just make sure that your outfit will not compromise you in any way.
Can I eat before practice?
Don’t eat for 3 hours before practice, and best not to eat for at least half an hour afterwards.
How often should I practice?
Eventually this is a 6-day a week practice. Practice involves keeping the appointment with yourself and getting on the mat. As a beginner this discipline may grow slowly and in this case it is advisable to integrate at least 3 practices per week into your life. If you do build up to a 6-day a week practice then you take 1 day off each week and full moon and new moon holidays as well. Women also take 3 days off over their bleed time and during this time can do a restorative practice.
Can I practice if I have health problems?
Having taken medical guidance as appropriate then it is best to discuss whether or not to try yoga or take a more remedial style for a while with the teacher.
Will yoga reduce my stress?
Yes! That much, at least, is pretty much assured.
What are the benefits?
Stress reduction as mentioned, cardiovascular, neuro-endocrine and respiratory well-being. Also strength from the larger skeletal to the finest intrinsic muscles within the body. Flexibility and openness though the whole structure giving structural fitness. Improved concentration, clarity of mind, enhanced sense of well-being. Retardation of the ageing process. Some people report greater sense of peace and a greater ability to be able to connect and engage more fully with the world around them. The list goes on, this practice can be transformation.
Will practicing yoga make me a better person?
Yoga can give you the method and the tools to become a better person, but you have to do the work yourself.
What is the relationship between religion and yoga?
Yoga is the experiential awareness of truth, truth perceived from the inside out. Religion, if you have one, can only be enhanced by this. If one has no religion then yoga as an experiential practice deepens your awareness of all of the aspects of who you are. Although yoga has sustained itself within the framework of Indian religions and spiritual practice, it is in essence also independent from these. It is a method for improving your mind, your body and your life, not a religion, and can be safely practiced by Christians, Hindus, and everyone else!