This section will try to answer any questions you may have about yoga
and whether or not yoga is right for you.
If this doesn't answer your questions, please contact us!
and whether or not yoga is right for you.
If this doesn't answer your questions, please contact us!
WHAT IF I AM NOT VERY FLEXIBLE?
Yoga has absolutely nothing to do with being flexible...
The different poses (asanas) in yoga look as if they are designed to create flexibility,
but they are there to heal and maintain health and vitality in the whole body.
It's also not good to have too much flexibility as that will create instability.
Yoga is about balance, and finding that balance within yourself,
no matter how bendy you are.
The yoga asanas promote balance between strength and flexibility within your own capabilities.
Yoga has absolutely nothing to do with being flexible...
The different poses (asanas) in yoga look as if they are designed to create flexibility,
but they are there to heal and maintain health and vitality in the whole body.
It's also not good to have too much flexibility as that will create instability.
Yoga is about balance, and finding that balance within yourself,
no matter how bendy you are.
The yoga asanas promote balance between strength and flexibility within your own capabilities.
HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE TO WAIT AFTER EATING?
On average, about 2 hours, depending on what you have eaten...some foods such as meat take longer to digest than fruit.
The main thing is that the stomach should be empty - a full belly in yoga can restrict movement, adversely affect your stamina and ability to concentrate... and worst of all, come back on you... not a very pleasant sensation!
As time goes on you will get to know your own energy needs and digestive system better,
so you can make your own decisions based on experience.
On average, about 2 hours, depending on what you have eaten...some foods such as meat take longer to digest than fruit.
The main thing is that the stomach should be empty - a full belly in yoga can restrict movement, adversely affect your stamina and ability to concentrate... and worst of all, come back on you... not a very pleasant sensation!
As time goes on you will get to know your own energy needs and digestive system better,
so you can make your own decisions based on experience.
DO I NEED TO BE A VEGETARIAN?
No, but if being a vegetarian is important to you, go for it.
If eating meat is important for you, go for it.
What I do suggest is 'conscious' eating - what does the food you eat do for you,
how do you feel after you have eaten certain foods - in other words-
listen to what your body is telling you.
No, but if being a vegetarian is important to you, go for it.
If eating meat is important for you, go for it.
What I do suggest is 'conscious' eating - what does the food you eat do for you,
how do you feel after you have eaten certain foods - in other words-
listen to what your body is telling you.
WHAT IF I AM MENSTRUATING?
There are different points of view on this... some yoga traditions say not to practice at all;
others say it's ok to practice asanas except inversions (headstand, shoulderstand etc), as these asanas reverse the blood flow.
Some of the issues may be to do with times when women were not allowed to practice yoga.... once again, get to know your own body and its needs, and make your own decisions.
Asanas can relieve menstrual pain and reduce blood flow in some, increase blood flow in others... we are all different!
There are different points of view on this... some yoga traditions say not to practice at all;
others say it's ok to practice asanas except inversions (headstand, shoulderstand etc), as these asanas reverse the blood flow.
Some of the issues may be to do with times when women were not allowed to practice yoga.... once again, get to know your own body and its needs, and make your own decisions.
Asanas can relieve menstrual pain and reduce blood flow in some, increase blood flow in others... we are all different!
WHAT IF I DO OTHER SPORTS?
Yoga benefits all other sports, but other sports don't necessarily benefit yoga.
If you enjoy running, yoga will greatly improve hamstring flexibility,
but those runner hamstrings may never reach full flexibility in yoga asanas... and that's ok!
If running or any other sport is your thing, enjoy it,
and enjoy what your yoga practice offers over and above that.
Let yoga become a part of your life, whatever it is that you do!
Yoga benefits all other sports, but other sports don't necessarily benefit yoga.
If you enjoy running, yoga will greatly improve hamstring flexibility,
but those runner hamstrings may never reach full flexibility in yoga asanas... and that's ok!
If running or any other sport is your thing, enjoy it,
and enjoy what your yoga practice offers over and above that.
Let yoga become a part of your life, whatever it is that you do!
HOW OFTEN AND FOR HOW LONG SHOULD I PRACTICE YOGA?
The obvious answer is that the more you practice, the more you benefit...
but we all have different lifestyles with different demands.
If making class once a week is all you can manage, that's better than nothing,
and if doing yoga three hours each day is all you can manage, that's also better than nothing.
I like to teach how to incorporate yoga into your life -everyone loves the way they feel after a yoga class, so there's no reason why we can't get that feeling each day without bringing our yoga mat out.
What you need constantly changes, so if you listen to your body, your yoga practice will be changing, too.
The obvious answer is that the more you practice, the more you benefit...
but we all have different lifestyles with different demands.
If making class once a week is all you can manage, that's better than nothing,
and if doing yoga three hours each day is all you can manage, that's also better than nothing.
I like to teach how to incorporate yoga into your life -everyone loves the way they feel after a yoga class, so there's no reason why we can't get that feeling each day without bringing our yoga mat out.
What you need constantly changes, so if you listen to your body, your yoga practice will be changing, too.
WHAT IF I CAN'T DO A LOT OF THE ASANA / POSTURES IN CLASS?
Yoga is about how it feels, not how it looks. We are not all supposed to be able to get our head to our knees in a forward bend. We all need to find our own place in every pose, so that pose and yoga itself becomes a personal exploration.
The beauty is that we are all different, and we are not supposed to look the same -
the main thing is that YOU get out of the Yoga practice what you can,
and remember that there is no such thing as a 'perfect' posture-
as long as you are getting the maximum benefit, you are doing well!
Yoga is not a competition... not between you and someone else in class and - hardest of all - not between you and yourself.
Never go beyond your limits by overstretching and injuring yourself,
yet at the same time challenge yourself and take responsibility for our own practice.
The ability and need to walk far exceeds the need to sit in lotus or do some other asana.
You have your whole life to practice yoga, so don't rush it... ENJOY IT!!
Yoga is about how it feels, not how it looks. We are not all supposed to be able to get our head to our knees in a forward bend. We all need to find our own place in every pose, so that pose and yoga itself becomes a personal exploration.
The beauty is that we are all different, and we are not supposed to look the same -
the main thing is that YOU get out of the Yoga practice what you can,
and remember that there is no such thing as a 'perfect' posture-
as long as you are getting the maximum benefit, you are doing well!
Yoga is not a competition... not between you and someone else in class and - hardest of all - not between you and yourself.
Never go beyond your limits by overstretching and injuring yourself,
yet at the same time challenge yourself and take responsibility for our own practice.
The ability and need to walk far exceeds the need to sit in lotus or do some other asana.
You have your whole life to practice yoga, so don't rush it... ENJOY IT!!