Frequently Asked Questions About Yoga

what to wear
Wear comfortable clothes to practice in...pants or shorts and a t-shirt or tank that is not too baggy will help your
teacher guide alignment in poses. We have found that it is best to dress in layers, that way you can adjust and be
comfortable during all parts of your practice. Please do not wear perfume or heavy scents.  It can be distracting to your
fellow yogis! Taking a bath or shower both before and after practice refreshes the body and mind. 

do I have to pre-register for yoga classes?
We have a "drop-in" schedule at the yoga studio...meaning that our classes are on-going and you may come to class
whenever you would like, without needing to pre-register or sign up for a series.
We do ask that you please come to class 15 minutes early on your first day to fill out paperwork.

can I eat before class? during class?
A full stomach can make class unnecessarily uncomfortable. We recommend refraining from food at least 2 hours
before class. Crunching cheese doodles during class can be very distracting.
This is why we ask that no food/beverages are brought into the practice area :)

how about drinking water?
Best to drink water before and after class. You are working hard to create much heat (tapas) in the body during
your practice and water will reverse the effect...making it harder to sweat and purify the body as well as limiting the
ability to go deeper into the postures.

should I bring my own yoga mat/props to class?
If you own a yoga mat, we do suggest that you bring it.
We do have mats available for you to use at the studio. We do ask that if you use one of our mats, that you purchase
a yoga mat wipe for $1 and please wipe it down when you are finished. If you are or plan to practice regularly, we
recommend that you purchase your own mat. We have yoga mats and rugs available for purchase in our boutique, which are PVC Free and 100% Recyclable with super traction for those who sweat and slide! There are yoga props (blankets, straps, blocks, etc.) for you to use in the studio...but if you would like to bring your own, please feel free.

what if my mat is slippery?
If you have a new mat that is slippery during your practice, we suggest taking it into the tub and scrubbing it down
with water (no soap silly) and then letting it hang dry. You may also find that using a towel or yoga rug under your
hands during your practice may help. After practicing on your mat a few times, you will find that it will break-in and
be less slippery.

how may times a week should I practice?
We advocate a daily practice, but patience is paramount. For those just starting, move from once to twice a week.
Then, gradually increase to two and three. We find that students greatly benefit from taking 3-5 classes a week.

pregnancy
Yoga practice is beneficial during pregnancy, and can ease many of the discomforts involved. What to practice depends
largely on the level of practice of the mother before conception. Please contact us if you are interested in attending prenatal classes. In general, postures should be eliminated or modified if they cause shortness of breath, become difficult or cause discomfort. Please notify your teacher prior to the start of class if you are pregnant.

can I practice if I am not flexible?
Of course! We encourage you to start where you are at! We will give many variations for all of the postures in class. We are always at different levels, so it is very important to find the variation that is best for you. Your most important tool is your breath. If you find your breath has become rushed, overly exhaustive, or you lost it altogether, pause a moment and
rest when you need to. The more you can honor and respect your body, the more it will feel safe enough to open.

breathing
Correct breathing is essential in the postures. It should not be too fast or too slow. Its sound should be smooth and
even. Overall it should be pleasant, bringing awareness and alignment to the whole body.

sweating
One should be prepared to sweat. Being “warmed up” is the best protection against injury, by helping one to
move in an integrated and natural way.

strain
Do not confuse enthusiasm with ambition. Do not strain, clench the jaw, hunch the shoulders or hold the breath!
Always return to the basics of the practice: the breathing, the gaze of the eyes and the true form of the posture.
Slow, consistent, grounded practice works. Occasional spurts of aggressive, imbalanced practice, for purposes of
self torment or ego inflation, are dangerous.

soreness
A pleasant soreness in the bellies of some muscles is not uncommon, especially if you are progressing with
an intelligent enthusiasm. This is good. Pain in the joints, however, is an indication of poor form and alignment.
In this case, pull back and study the posture more closely. Consultation with a teacher is always advisable.