Why would I do yoga?

There are lots of reasons to do yoga.  The main reasons are to improve the health of your body and to cultivate peace of mind.  Many people find that by practicing the physical aspects of yoga and the breathwork regularly, they are stronger, more flexible, less prone to injury and illness, less reactive, and generally calmer and more relaxed.

Yoga is a refreshing antidote to our hurried and stressful lifestyles.  For a more detailed article about yoga, see What/Why Yoga.

What is yoga? Is it religious?

Yoga developed over 2,000 years ago in India.  Although it has roots in the ancient Hindu tradition, it is by no means a religion and people of multiple religious backgrounds practice and teach yoga.

Do I have to be flexible/athletic/in shape?

No!  Flexibility and athleticism are absolutely not requirements for doing yoga.  In fact, yoga is a great physical practice for people who are not flexible or athletic or in shape.  The essence of yoga is self-acceptance, and as such, the student of yoga is encouraged to “start where you are.”  Yoga is therefore non-competitive and the teacher of yoga should encourage a non-judgemental attitude amongst the students.

There are also many different styles of practicing yoga, from quiet and meditative to the more athletic.  There is really a yoga style to suit each person’s individual taste.  I often tell people that if they tried a yoga class and didn’t enjoy it, they should try a different one. 

Does it hurt?

Yoga is both a physical practice and a philosophy – if you chose to study the philosophy.  One of the primary tenets of yoga philosophy is ahimsa, or non-harming.  The student is encouraged not to hurt others or self.  In addition to not causing physical, verbal or emotional harm, this includes not harboring harmful thoughts about yourself or others.  Even self-depricating thoughts are discouraged as these weaken the self.

Primarily, the instructor in any class should encourage the students to avoid pain or injury by practicing proper alignment in the poses.  No instructor should ever push you into a pose so that you feel pain, and you shouldn’t feel pain after coming out of a pose.  Pain is an indication that something is wrong in the execution of the pose.

Are there different kinds of yoga?

There are multiple styles of yoga, which use the traditional Hatha Yoga poses, but in different ways.  Iyengar yoga focuses on precision and alignment.  Astanga yoga is a very athletic style with standard series of poses ranging from beginner to more advanced.  Viniyoga emphasises the therapeutic use of yoga, with a focus on the breath.  Vinyasa links different yoga poses together creating a flow from one to the next.  Bikram yoga is a specific sequence practiced in a heated room.  Anusara yoga places emphasis on the energetic components of the poses.  There are also a number of yoga styles named after the teachers who developed them, such as Forrest Yoga.

What kind of yoga do you teach?

I teach a classical Hatha yoga style influenced by Roger Eischens’ High Energy Yoga, Iyengar Yoga and Viniyoga. 

Where can I go to do yoga?

Yoga is offered at health clubs, parks, community centers and yoga studios.  While each setting has its advantages, it is really up to you to decide where you want to go.  If you’re not sure, try out a couple of different venues to see what you like. 

You can also take private instruction if the thought of joining a group class doesn’t appeal to you.