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Classes are ongoing -- start any week!
YOGA
FAQs
Why do
yoga? On a physical
level, yoga practice can help you stretch and
massage shortened muscles, build strength and bone
density, improve balance, massage your internal organs
and give you a cardiovascular
workout.
Is it
meditative? Classically, the
physical practices have just been the beginning. The
core of the tradition is meditation. We focus on the
breath while doing the poses and end each class with a
final relaxation and meditation. You'll find that the
practice of yoga cultivates mental focus and clarity,
promotes relaxation and tends to make you happier
about the rest of your life. And it's fun.
How can I do yoga? I can't even
touch my toes. You don't have to be
strong or flexible to begin. You can work on preparatory
versions of the harder poses, skip a few things, come
out of poses early if you need to and just have a good
time with the practice. The strength, flexibility and
balance will develop over time. The easy things you can
do now, the impossible ones just take a little
longer.

Can I really get a serious workout
from yoga? Guaranteed.
Come to an ashtanga-based vinyasa or power yoga class if
you want to work. Many newcomers to the practice are
amazed at the variety of class styles and intensity
levels that yoga offers. It's not just lie around and
stretch. We'll find muscles you didn't know
existed.
Where does yoga come from?
This is an ancient practice from
India. The roots of yoga can be traced back thousands of
years to civilizations of the Indus Valley. In Indian
thought, yoga is considered one of six major branches of
inquiry (shat darshana) or ways of viewing the
world.
Is yoga a religion?
No, it's a philosophical
system with both physical and meditative practice
components. The techniques of the system have been used
by atheistic as well as religious groups (Hindu,
Buddhist, and Jain among others) because the work has
been proven to be of lasting value for producing health
and happiness. In our present culture we're happily
obsessed with the fitness benefits that yoga
provides.
What does the word yoga
mean? It's a Sanskrit
word meaning "yoke" or "union". In the traditional
sense, yoga is concerned with linking the individual
with the rest of the cosmos in a meditative state.
Yoga is both the system
of physical and meditative techniques involved on the
journey and a description of the
goal.
What sorts of results can I
expect? It depends on
the nature of your practice. In the classic
text Patanjali's Yoga
Sutra (from about 200 b.c.) the
advice for a successful yoga practice includes
vairagya (detachment from
goals) and abhyasa (a
long-term dedicated practice). There is a correlation
between progress and frequency of practice. Moderation
and consistency will pay off.
Where should I start?
If you're just beginning your
explorations, come to one of our classes
and see how wonderful yoga can make you feel. Just check
our schedule, pick a class time that's convenient and show up!
We'll see you in class
soon!
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