Wondering about yoga, the health benefits, and more? Here are the most common questions I’m asked.
Endless. Seriously. But I would highlight better sleep, a better connection to yourself and to your body, increased body awareness, functional fitness, increased range of motion and flexibility, a quieter mind, and reduced anxiety, or at least strategies to help with anxiety. More breath control.
Yoga should never hurt, it should never make you breathe shallow or hold your breath. “Right” is what feels good for you and is an expression of the pose being done, or what your body needs at the moment.
There are so many different types of yoga and different teaching styles. I strongly suggest you try a variety of classes and a variety of teachers before you give up on yoga. Look for a beginner or introductory classes, or try private classes.
That’s entirely ok, I can’t do some poses either. Yoga is all about you and your body, and every body is different, so it makes sense that the expression of poses would be different. I give lots of modifications and options. Much of yoga is about letting your ego and need to “do it right” go, and instead connect to your body, what it can do, and what it is craving.
I would say no. Although yoga is mostly practiced in a non-religious way, many people find it spiritual. However, this doesn’t mean that yoga is religious. Yoga is about improving the mind-body connection and achieving inner calm.
That would make perfect sense, it’s always a bit scary to try something new. Try coming with a friend, watch one of my Sunday Morning Stretching classes first to get an idea of what to expect. Remember that it’s ok to feel like a beginner and to suck at something new.
Yourself, the ability to breathe, a yoga mat or towel, or just use the floor. Really it’s about you, your body, and your breath.
Yoga is for everyone. Your size, age, or level of flexibility doesn’t matter. You don’t need to be flexible to start with, yoga will help you become flexible.
Mindfulness is the quality of being present and fully engaged with whatever we’re doing at the moment — free from distraction or judgment, and aware of our thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them.
Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state.
Yoga is a system for bringing balance into your body and mind. It involves the physical practice of yoga postures and breathing exercises. Yoga can also include meditation, self-inquiry, and the study of yoga philosophy.