Yoga is so much and I could go on and on into a long explanation, but suffice to say is that yoga is a system for bringing balance back into the body, mind and spirit. Yoga involves postures called asanas, and pranayama, which is breath. Yoga also includes meditation, self-enquiry and the study of yoga philosophy. 

Yoga here in the states tends to focus on the physical asanas. This is a wonderful place to start. You cannot help but want further understanding as you become a practitioner. You will discover so much about yourself as you develop your yoga practice.

Only you can answer this question. With so many styles of yoga start to look within to see what your spirit is telling you. I tell all my students it doesn’t matter what yoga you do, just find what resonates with your spirit and go from that point. With Vinyasa Yoga you will learn how to move and flow with the breath. This These are often more energetic and strong so are good for people looking for a physical challenge. 26&2 yoga is a great choice for those with injuries or trying to not focus on Sun Salutation work (shoulder injuries) More relaxing forms of yoga include Yin yoga and Restorative.  

It is always great to start with a beginner’s class, but anyone can come into any class. Honor your body where it is. In a beginner’s class you will have more in depth instruction and variations.

When people ask me about online yoga I tell them I think it is great and I do! With one caveat! Please go to a teacher first for in person training. The reason being that as a new practitioner it is so very important that you know how to hold your body safely. You learn this in class or one on one instruction.

We are all so different. Each body is different. Our bodies and bone structures are all very different. With that being said there isn’t just one ‘right’ way to do a pose. It is about finding what works for your body.

Remember that your body does not look like the person next to you. Focus on you and feel your body.

Yoga is not meant to hurt. It is meant to heal. You will feel sensations that you may have never felt, but pain is not what you want. Listen to your body.

Yoga benefits.

• Flexibility

• Strong and toned body

• Improved breathing

• Energy

• Improved metabolism

• Circulatory and cardiac health

• Fitness levels

• Pain

• Posture

• Mental Health

• Balance

• Peace

• Mindfulness

• and much more….

Once a week is better than nothing, yes. You will feel a difference. 2-3 times a week even better. 4+ and you are in for a change of your lifetime. Focus on what you can do, not what you think you should be doing. It will come.

You can practice with only a Yoga mat, or you can use props. Don’t wait because you don’t have a block. A yoga mat that is well made is very important. A bolster and some blocks can help as well. Wear comfortable clothing.

This question is personal to you and you alone. For me my practice in the morning rocks my world! I love to start my day off with morning yoga. For others it can be late night yoga after work. We are all different. Experiment with what works best for you.

This is also a personal question for yourself. Myself, I cannot eat anything for at least two hours before yoga class. My husband must eat something before yoga class or he feels nauseated. Neither is wrong. Stick you what your body needs.

Some women prefer to pause their practice when they have their period while others keep going. Many teachers will suggest staying away from inversions. Practicing inversions where your head is lower than your heart may interrupt the downward flow. Strong yoga twist may also be uncomfortable. This is personal to you as well and you must listen to your own body.

As a general rule it is not recommended to start yoga during the first three months of pregnancy. The reason being is because your body isn’t used to it. If you are a regular practitioner, you may be able to continue. Avoid deep twists and strong core work.

Your hormones during pregnancy will make you more flexible so you will need to do more work on maintaining stability in the joints so that you don’t overstretch them.

Many people practice yoga as a way to manage their health conditions. As for me I did yoga for years through my shoulder injury. It is now healed, but I honored my body through it and stayed away from certain movements.

Many poses can be modified and adapted for injuries. However, if you have a medical condition or injury and haven’t practiced yoga before please speak to an experienced yoga teacher or physical therapist (with knowledge of yoga) to get advice about any poses or movements you need to adapt to or avoid.

You will get flexible and strong when you do yoga. You do not already have to be anything when you come into yoga. Come as you are. You will find that as time goes by in your practice your body will open up and you will gain strength. Yoga is science of the mind. Yoga is not science of flexibility. This is the number one excuse I hear as to why someone cannot do yoga.

If you spend the money now on a good mat it will work for you a long time. It is worth spending extra money for your mat. Depending on the type of yoga you practice I can help you pick one out.

Get a mat that doesn’t make your hands and feet slip. A good tip-do not apply hand cream before class. Opt for a mat that isn’t too thick or squishy.

Your mat is part of your practice. Get one and take care of it.

Don’t go into class with expectations. Learning anything takes time and dedication. Remember, being a beginner is okay. You are brand new and all things take time. Be gentle with yourself and enjoy the journey.

Be patience with yourself. There are tons of fast-paced, fitness based yoga classes that are great, but if you are not familiar with the postures and transitions they can lead to injury. Choose classes that are a little slower. Classes where you can come to grips with alignment and movements on the mat. One on one sessions are great as well.

Forget about what you think it should look like and be where you are. Releasing expectations is something we are taught about time and time again. This denies yourself the ability to be present and fully in the moment. Let go of trying to be good at yoga, and focus on the moment at hand.

Yoga is about you. It is not about how you want your pose to look. You may want to create an exact pose you saw online. There are plenty of images on social media perpetuating the idea that you need to squeeze yourself into a shape or perform feats during a yoga class.

This is your practice and there is no ‘one size fits all.’ It is not what you can do with your body.

FOCUS ON YOU.

Remember that what you do in yoga class is a representation of what you do in life outside the yoga room. Holding your breath, grinding your teeth, hunching your shoulders. Take note of these messages so you can work on them on that mat and off the mat.

Focus on your foundation, whether it is your hands or feet. Your entire structure relies upon this foundation. Create space for your foundation.

Your core is so important and it makes your practice easier and more enjoyable. Your core is involved in almost if not all movement we make. The stronger your core is, the less likely you will hurt yourself. It will also help you to stop thinking about how much your body is shaking, so you can start focusing instead on calming the mind.

It wasn’t until I started yoga that I realized how I was not breathing. When you find yourself in a challenging pose, remind yourself to breathe. When we breathe we send a message to our body and mind that we are okay. This is what helps reduce stress levels off the matt.