YOGA Q&A

That’s the whole point! Being flexible is not a requirement to practice yoga. It’s actually one of the results that you will experience over time if you stick with it.

It depends. What sort of results do you want to achieve? Even after your first class, you’ll feel the benefits of yoga. Of course the more you practice, the more benefits you’ll experience. But, even just starting off once a week is a great way to create a good movement habit to start to experience the results you desire.

The practice of yoga is more than just physically moving your body. Within the physical practice you connect movements to the breath, which helps to focus and relax your mind. In a yoga class, you are asked to bring your awareness to the present moment - to focus on the here and now, to what you are actually doing - using your body and breath as an anchor. This enhances your self-awareness so in time you start to notice your posture, and what feels good or not so good. Yoga also invites you to be ok with what is, without judgment. Just because you aren’t as flexible as someone else, doesn’t mean you aren’t “good at yoga”. Over time you take the intelligent learnings of yoga off the mat and start to practice these concepts in your life. As your posture improves, so will your awareness, breathing pattern, strength, flexibility, mental health and overall well-being.

I would say eat at least 2 hours before practicing the poses. Of course it’s fine to eat something small if you need the nourishment to get through a class. Just don’t practice the poses on a full stomach.

Yes, you can practice yoga at any weight, size or fitness level. Props and modifications can help anyone feel more grounded and comfortable in certain poses.

It’s important to remember that everyone’s bodies are very different, so there isn’t one right way to do a pose. It’s about finding out what works for your own body. Developing this awareness takes practice. As long as something doesn’t hurt, you are probably ok. You’ll definitely experience different sensations and feel your muscles working, but if you feel any type of pain, such as sharpness or pinching, make sure to listen to your feedback and ease out slowly. It’s always a good idea to go to an in person class if you are a beginner, so you can learn the foundations of the poses and reduce your chance for injury.

The best time is the time that works best for you! Some students love to practice in the morning, others prefer in the evening. Some students have to practice before their day gets started. Others have to wait until after work. It truly depends on your schedule and your personal constitution. I would suggest experimenting to see what feels best for you.

I would suggest that you slow down your practice during your heavy flow days. On those days you only have so much energy to give and should not deplete yourself from practicing yoga. Do what feels best for you.

The postures combined with mindful breathing will help to detox your body, quick start your lymphatic system, reduce water retention, cleanse your digestive track and reduce your stress levels - stress is one of the biggest factors of weight gain. As your self-awareness increases, you’ll also become more aware of why you are eating when you are eating - You might start to make healthier choices. It’s a gradual process.