What do I need to start?
All you really need to begin practicing yoga is your body, your mind and a bit of curiosity. But it is also helpful to have a some comfortable clothes that are not too baggy (the extra fabric might get in the way). No special footgear is required because we practice in our bare feet. You will need to bring your yoga mat, but if you don’t have one yet, don’t worry because we have mat rentals and mats for purchase here. It’s nice to bring a towel to class with you. We have all other yoga props that you’ll need here in the studio.
Do I need to be flexible to practice yoga?
No! You are a perfect candidate for yoga. Many people think that they need to already be flexible to begin yoga, but that’s a little bit like thinking that you need to be able to play tennis in order to take tennis lessons. Come as you are and you will find that yoga practice will help you become more flexible.
This newfound agility will be balanced by strength, coordination, and enhanced cardiovascular health, as well as a sense of physical confidence and overall well-being!
Why Are You Supposed to Refrain From Eating 2–3 Hours Before Class?
In yoga practice we twist from side to side, turn upside down, and bend forward and backward. If you have not fully digested your last meal, it will make itself known to you in ways that are not comfortable. If you are a person with a fast-acting digestive system and are afraid you might get hungry or feel weak during yoga class, experiment with a light snack such as yogurt, a few nuts, or juice about 30 minutes to an hour before class.
I Haven't Exercised In A Long Time And Have Put On Some Extra Weight. Can I Practice Yoga?
Yes, you can! You can practice yoga at any weight, size or fitness level. The experienced teachers at Flow can help you adjust the poses and positions to accommodate your body type. The gentle postures in a regular yoga practice coupled with mindful breathing help detoxify the body, cleanse the digestive tract and decrease anxiety and stress. Stress is one is one of the biggest culprits behind weight gain. Yoga can reduce stress as well as provide a gentle form of exercise that can strengthen your body and tone your muscles. A regular yoga practice combined with a healthy diet can encourage weight loss.
How Is Yoga Different From Stretching or Other Kinds of Fitness?
Unlike stretching or fitness, yoga is more than just physical postures. The physical practice is just one aspect of yoga. Even within the physical practice, yoga is unique because we connect the movement of the body and the fluctuations of the mind to the rhythm of our breath. Connecting the mind, body, and breath helps us to direct our attention inward. Through this process of inward attention, we learn to recognize our habitual thought patterns without labeling them, judging them, or trying to change them. We become more aware of our experiences from moment to moment. The awareness that we cultivate is what makes yoga a practice, rather than a task or a goal to be completed. Your body will most likely become much more flexible by doing yoga, and so will your mind.
How Many Times Per Week Should I Practice?
Yoga is amazing, even if you only practice for one hour a week, you will experience the benefits of the practice. If you can do more than that, you will certainly experience more benefits. We suggest starting with two or three times a week, for an hour or an hour and a half each time. If you can only do 20 minutes per session at home, that’s fine too. Don’t let time constraints or unrealistic goals be an obstacle. Do what you can and don’t worry about it. You will likely find that after a while your desire to practice expands naturally and you will find yourself doing more and more.
