My biggest advice would be to wear something comfortable that you can move in! Think not too tight, but not too baggy (you don’t want to be tripping over your pants as you move… I’ve been there!). It’s sometimes nice to bring a long-sleeved shirt or something warm to begin and end the practice if you tend to get cold. Beyond that you can throw on sweats, shorts, tights, anything that feels good!
NO! Yoga is not about being flexible. Sure, the longer you practice you may notice that happening, but that is not the goal. There are modifications for every pose; and no two poses are going to look the same in different bodies. For some people a forward fold means touching the toes, for others it means bending the knees and hinging only slightly from the hips.
Think of yoga as a practice designed to help your body move more freely and easefully. So no matter how you fold, bend, stretch, you’re doing your OWN body good, even if it doesn’t look like the picture you googled on the internet!
If you had to be flexible to practice yoga most people would never have the chance!
NO! See question above!
Private classes are great if you’re looking for a practice that is entirely tailored to you. At the beginning of our time together we will identify what you’re hoping to achieve through your practice. These goals will be completely individual and may range from better sleep and less anxiety, to increased mobility or an advanced arm balance practice.
Private classes are also a great option if you enjoy group classes, but have an injury or certain poses you want to avoid. We can work to find modifications or alternative poses that you’ll feel comfortable taking in a group setting.
As with any exercise, it’s always best to consult a doctor or health professional, but the short answer is, yes! If you have an injury and are worried about attending class you can contact me ahead of time and I can provide modifications that will make practicing more comfortable. Alternatively, scheduling a private session can be useful as we can go through a variety of poses and modifications that will look after the area that is needing your compassion!
Realistically in the course of life we are almost always going to have times where one or another part of the body isn’t operating at 100%, but that doesn’t always mean you have to forgo all practice. Modifications are a part of yoga, always remember, the goal is to make the poses work for your body, not vice versa!
Hatha (pronounced “ha-ta”) is a generic term to refer to any type of yoga that teaches physical postures. Think, all physical yoga is hatha yoga, but not all hatha yoga is vinyasa. So, yin, power, restorative, are all types of hatha yoga.
In vinyasa yoga you’ll find relatively consistent movement or “flow”, as different sequences of postures are linked together through breath and transitional movements. The pace and intensity of the classes vary based on the intention of the class, for instance one day you may focus on strengthening postures, whereas other times you may slow it down and focus on improving mobility and range of motion.
Meanwhile in hatha, you will generally find static holds and a more “broken up” presentation of poses, where you can move from one to pose to another without a consistent flow of movement.
The styles can be equally challenging, but generally speaking the consistency of movement that’s characteristic in vinyasa is going to get your heartrate going more than a hatha class.
Vinyasa ~ We offer a variety of mindfully paced vinyasa classes. The pace and intensity of the flow will vary based on the teacher and the class. For instance, our Tapas class will move at a quicker pace, more like a “power flow”, while the Unwinder will move at a much slower clip, with time for longer holds to sink into the postures; a “gentle flow”.
Hatha ~ Our Golden Girls class is a hatha yoga class, you’ll find a slower pace and postures will generally be more broken up, less “consistency of movement” than you’d see in a vinyasa class.
Yin ~ We also offer yin yoga which targets the deepest tissues of the body through a smaller number of longer held postures. This type of class is excellent for releasing fascia, improving mobility, and facilitating deep relaxation.
If you want more information on any of our classes contact us and we will be happy help!
So, there is “vinyasa yoga” which is a style of practice (see above), but you can also “take a vinyasa” which is a transitional sequence of movements between poses.
It includes moving from downward facing dog, to plank, lowering to chaturanga, then pressing into upward dog before ending back in downward facing dog.
Those who do not wish to “take a vinyasa” can just remain in downward facing dog where everyone will meet prior to the next posture.
Yes! Our classes are designed to be accessible to students of all levels, beginners and seasoned yogis alike. We offer a variety of modifications using both props, and pose variations so you can choose the variation that suits you best. If you’re feeling uncertain, message us, or book a private class where you can get familiar with props and modifications that work for your body.
Yes! We are happy to offer our Golden Girls class! This class is great for seniors, or anyone who struggles with balance or mobility. This class offers a variety of props and modifications to make poses accessible and enjoyable.
In addition to Golden Girls, we are also happy to offer private or small group classes for those who are interested.