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About Us ~ Frequently Asked Questions
Fast Links to FAQs...
What is yoga?
Can you give me an example of yoga?
Are all yoga classes the same?
What style of yoga do you teach at Healthy Life Yoga?
What are some of the benefits of yoga?
Who can practice yoga?
How often should I practice yoga?
What do I need to prepare for class?
What is the proper etiquette for class?
Which class level is best for me?
Do I need to register before I attend class?
What do I do if I'm late for class?
Will there be chanting in class?
What is yoga?
The
word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root "yuj", which means to join,
union or yoke. In essence, yoga represents the unity of body, mind, and spirit
through concentration and movement.
The main goal of yoga is to quiet the mind and connect with the deep peace within.
Yoga
originated in India over 5,000 years ago as one of six core components
of Indian philosophy. About 2,500 years later, a revered teacher
Patanjali systemized yoga and comprised the Yoga Sutras, which
consists of 196 brief lessons on yoga. The Yoga Sutras have been
translated by many different authors since then, so a variety of
commentaries on the Yoga Sutras are available.
Some people wonder if yoga is a religion. It's not. It's a systematic
approach to controlling the mind and keeping the body healthy.
In its simplest form, yoga is a physical and mental practice which
supports our natural desire to improve our well-being.
There are five main aspects of yoga.
- Hatha Yoga represents the physical
poses we practice to keep the body strong and healthy.
- Raja Yoga represents the control of
the mind we practice during meditation to reduce stress brought on by
worried thoughts.
- Karma Yoga represents selfless
action we practice when we volunteer our time and do not expect
payment.
- Bhakti Yoga represents devotion to a
higher power, or something greater than our individual selves, which
we practice when we come together as a community for the highest good
of all.
- Jnana Yoga represents the path of
knowledge we practice when we learn more about ourselves through
personal study.
Practicing all of the aspects of yoga
in a variety of ways, creates a healthy, balanced person. ^ Return to the top of the Page
Can you give me an example of yoga?
To demonstrate the
subtle effects of yoga, try this exercise.
1. Sitting
in your chair, give yourself a good stretch. Raise the arms over head and
stretch the upper body (yawning is encouraged). Now, stretch out the
legs.
2. Take
a moment to get comfortable. Sit up, elongate the spine and relax the
shoulders down away from the ears.
3. Settle into the seat and softly close
the eyes to draw the awareness inward.
4. Place a hand on the belly to help keep the awareness on the
breath. Try to gently direct the breath into the belly so it
expands on the inhalation and pulls in on the exhalation. Take slow deep
breaths that do not feel forced or strained. Allow the inhalation and
exhalation to be the same length ~ about 3 - 5 seconds each. Stay as
relaxed as possible. Whenever the mind wanders off to the to do list ~ gently return the awareness
back to the breath.
5. Try this for a couple of minutes, keeping the awareness on the
breath. Try not to be frustrated with the fluid mind. Just return to the
breath when the mind wanders off. Listen to your own inner wisdom and finish when you are ready to
by slowly opening the eyes.
6. Notice how you feel.
For
some highly stressed people, this simple exercise can be very
challenging. With patience and practice, it becomes easier and a welcome
break during a hectic day.
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Are all yoga classes the same?
Since yoga, in all of its aspects, has
been passed down from teacher to student for thousands of years,
different lineages formed through the different experiences and
understandings of each teacher - creating different styles of yoga.
The poses are the same among the different styles, but the approach to
doing the poses is where they differ. Hatha Yoga is the description of the
physical poses practiced in yoga, but one teacher approaches the same
poses differently than another based on his or her own experience.
Hence, there is debate on the "correct" alignment of poses and the
best way to practice them. So,
which is the best style of yoga to practice? The one that resonates
with you the most! It's your practice! Yoga is non-competitive. Find a
style and teacher that connects with you, that brings you balance and a connection
to your own inner peace.
What style of
yoga do you teach at Healthy Life Yoga?
We teach an eclectic style influenced by
Integral,
Iyengar,
Anusara and
Ashtanga
styles to
make yoga accessible for you regardless of age, gender, body type or
ability.
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What are some of the benefits of
yoga?
Physical and Mental Benefits of Yoga
Physical:
~Controls cholesterol level
~Reduces weight
~Normalizes blood pressure and improves heart performance
~Reduction of physical stress and greater vitality
~Posture improves
~Promotes correct breathing practices
~Normalizes digestion
~Sleep improves
~Immunity increases
~Endurance increases
Psychomotor functions improve:
~Grip strength increases
~Dexterity and fine skills improve
~Eye-hand coordination improves
~Choice reaction time improves
~Steadiness improves
~Depth perception improves
~Balance improves
~Integrated functioning of body parts improves
Mental:
~Mood improves
~Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase
~Social adjustment increases
~Anxiety and depression decrease
~Hostility decreases
Cognitive function improves:
~Attention improves
~Concentration improves
~Memory improves
~Learning efficiency improves
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Who
can practice yoga?
Some
people believe they need to be flexible and strong to take yoga,
which can produce some hesitation in trying a class. On the contrary,
yoga provides the ability to modify the poses to each individual body
for support in gaining flexibility and strength. So, if you haven't
exercised in a while and feel stiff or weak, yoga can help you to regain
your flexibility and strength.
Many yoga advertisements show young, thin, bendy
people practicing poses that can be unattainable for the average person.
It's just marketing. They can get their foot behind their head so they
must know what they are doing, right? Not necessarily. It is not the
goal of yoga to get your foot behind your head. It's to be healthy in
body and mind. If along the way, you gain enough flexibility to get your
foot behind your head ~ kudos! It is fun to see what you are able to
physically do, and you may surprise yourself along the way. However, the
benefits of yoga are not limited to the thin and bendy, nor are they
strictly physical.
Some people have concerns about practicing
yoga because they have health issues. Rightly so, no one wants to do
anything to feel worse when they are ailing. However, many people with
Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure,
and heart disease experience improvement and relief because of their
yoga practice. Studies have shown yoga helps to relieve the symptoms of
stress, anxiety and depression too. If you have concerns about
taking yoga, talk with your primary health practitioner ~ a good idea
when starting a new exercise routine anyway. If your doctor does not
practice yoga, ask us. We are available to answer
any health questions you have concerning yoga, as well.
Everyone can practice yoga in some form
and benefit from it. Most of the students we see are in their 40s, 50s
and 60s ~ a few a bit younger, a few a bit older ~ all shapes and sizes,
all with different abilities and needs, and all grateful for an
accessible fitness routine.
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How often should I practice yoga?
Most people take a class once a week to
learn how to practice safely and do some at home as it fits into their
schedule. It is recommended to do a little something each day for the
most benefit. Even a few minutes of mindful breathing daily can have
positive impact on setting the tone for the day!
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What do I need to prepare for class?
Wear comfortable clothing.
To be comfortable
for class, wear
clothing that is not too bulky, or loose. Clothes should fit well, but
not restrain movement. Natural fabrics help to absorb toxins from the
body as you practice. Remove hard contact lens, glasses and any restrictive jewelry before
you start class to avoid discomfort. Soft contact lenses are Ok.
Bring a yoga mat.
We use a yoga sticky mat to help prevent slipping and potential
injury. You may borrow a studio yoga mat if you do not have your
own. We do clean the studio mats regularly. However, we encourage
you to bring your own yoga mat as a matter of personal hygiene.
Abstain from eating before class.
Avoid eating heavy foods within 90 minutes before class. The body stops
digesting while performing the poses. In addition, it can be
uncomfortable to do the poses on a full stomach. People with blood sugar
difficulties can have a little juice an hour before or maybe some soft
fruit that will pass through the stomach quickly. Please discuss any
concerns you have with your doctor.
It's best to allow the benefits of your yoga practice to settle in when
you finish by not eating for one hour
after class. The body is still eliminating toxins. Eating stops toxic
elimination and starts digestion.
Listen to your body.
For your safety, it is important that you notify the instructor of any physical limitations
you have before class begins, and we encourage you to stop at any time
during class when you experience strong pain or discomfort. "Pushing
through" pain is counterproductive in a yoga class and can lead to
injury.
Women should avoid practicing yoga, especially inversions other than
legs up the wall, during heavy days of menses. Pregnant women should
attend a class specifically designed to meet their needs or in a class
with a prenatal trained instructor.
Be patient.
Even though you may feel good after class from stretching
and moving the body, it will take about 3 to 6 months before you start
to experience any real physical changes, such as increased strength and
flexibility.
Be confident.
Remember that you are learning something new. As you get
better at it, the poses will become easier to hold and the correct
alignment for the poses will take shape. Do not hold the poses longer
than is comfortable for the body. You will receive the most benefit from
class if you listen to your inner teacher. ^ Return to the top of the Page
What is the proper etiquette for class?
The following guidelines help in creating a peaceful atmosphere for
you and others during class.
Arrive early and stay until the end
of class.
Yoga classes start with a quiet
centering exercise to set the tone for the practice. It is best to
arrive 5 minutes early to get set up for class and find a spot. Rushing
in late creates a disruption to the peaceful tone of the classroom and
generates anxiety for the person running late. Additionally, we wind down class with
deep relaxation, so rushing out before class is done breaks the momentum
of class and deprives the person leaving of the best part of class! If
you cannot attend on time or need to leave early, please arrange to make
up your class on another day.
Turn off cell phones and pagers.
We want to help you in creating some
personal time for yourself. Remember to turn off your cell phone and
pager before class. This will give you and the other students, at least
80-minutes of uninterrupted peace and
quiet. What did we do before cell phones?!
Remove your shoes.
Since we perform most of the yoga poses
on the floor, please do not wear shoes inside the actual studio space to
prevent tracking in dust and dirt. Attendees with allergies will be very
grateful.
Avoid wearing heavy perfumes.
The nose is very sensitive, especially in a closed room. Come to class
clean, and avoid heavy perfumes and heavily scented lotions. Strong smells can be
very distracting and trigger allergies too.
Create quiet.
Please speak in a low voice to support
the meditative atmosphere of the studio. If you are waiting in the lobby for the
class before yours to finish, remember they are probably doing deep
relaxation.
Everyone appreciates your support in
providing the best environment for class.
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Which class level is best
for me?
Our beginners class series is a great
place to start if you are brand new to yoga. It introduces the alignment
for the basic poses in the Level 1 class and acclimates new students to
the flow of class, as well as how to use different props available for
different needs. You can always ask if you are unsure. We are happy to
help you find the right class for you, especially if you have physical
challenges or injuries. We encourage you to try the different levels to
see which is best for your ability, so all of the classes levels have a
drop in option, as long as there is space in class.
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Do I need to register
before I attend?
Yes. We specialize in small class sizes
to give personal one-on-one attention, as needed, during class. Since
our classes size is limited, please call before attending, or register
online. To register online, go to the "Register Online" page using the link at
the very top of this page. We want you to be able to relax in class and
not feel over crowded.
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What do I do if I'm late for
class?
The centering portion of class at the
beginning is very important for setting the tone for class. Rushing in
late stresses you and everyone else, so please make arrangements to
attend a different class if you are going to be more that 5 minutes
late. We like to start and end on time, as well, so everyone does not
feel rushed when they leave. It helps to maintain the peaceful vibration
created during class.
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Will there be chanting in
class?
Yes, we do some basic chanting in
class.
Chanting clears the mind of idol
chatter, focusing it. Singing with a positive intention raises the
energy in the body, as well. Try singing a few rounds of, "Row, Row, Row
Your Boat" and see how it affects the mind and body.
The chants in class, though ancient,
are very basic with the intention to unify the energy of everyone in the
room and clear the mind. The vibrations generated through chanting,
stimulate nerve endings in the mouth and head, enhance a meditative
state of mind and positively affect the chemicals in the brain.
"Row, Row, Row your boat gently down
the stream ... merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily life is but a
dream..." ;)
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