What exactly is yoga?

Yoga is different for everyone. For some it is an art form, for others – a science. Some have adopted yoga as a way of life. Some practice yoga as a sport, while others arrive at yoga riding the wave of trends. For a long time people treated yoga wrongly – as mysticism or religion. Yoga helps people realize their full potential and find that precarious balance between internal expectations and the external world; a much sought-after harmony, which is, in fact, inside each of us.

May I practice yoga if I have back problems?

Not only you may, but also it is actually your chance to rid of suffering and back pain. Many yoga positions have direct impact on your back and spinal cord. If you are suffering from sciatica, lumbago, neck traumas, shoulder problems or headaches, the regular practice of yoga can help you overcome your problem. It is important that you explain your condition to your yoga teacher, so that she can advise you which positions to avoid and which ones to focus on.

May I practice yoga if I have arthritis or rheumatism?

A lot of the attention in yoga is directed at the joints. Regular yoga practice can make your joints more limber, without pain and tension, and relieve the symptoms of arthritis and rheumatism. Many people think that aging means a decrease in flexibility and physical activity. Yoga proves them wrong. Yoga practice will help you not only physically, but also psychologically, to rid yourself of pain and to strengthen your body’s joints.

I’ve never practiced yoga? How can I determine which level is most appropriate for me?

There are many ways to begin practicing yoga. The important thing is to try, to make that first step. If you have never practiced yoga before, please read the section “Types of Yoga” and don’t hesitate to discuss your options with one of our yoga instructors. Our yoga teachers will help you find the class that is best suited to your schedule and personal goals. We recommend that you join a Yoga Beginners class. Please check at the front desk for the next available date.

Can I practice yoga if I’m not flexible?

People often wonder that and the concern stops many people from trying yoga. Yoga does not only make our bodies stronger and more flexible, but also attempt to make our mind more flexible and our thinking freer. So give it a try, and soon you will begin to notice the first positive changes in your body.

I need to lose weight. Can I do that with yoga and which classes are most appropriate?

Yes. Any one of the classes we offer can help you lose weight. Synchronizing the movement from one position into another with conscious breathing is a wonderful way to speed up metabolism and the burning of calories. Your yoga practice will also help you make conscious choices about the type and quantity of food that you need in order to feel healthy and fulfilled. Yoga improves your posture, flexibility and muscular tone, helping you look taller and slimmer.

How often do I need to attend yoga classes?

If feasible for you, twice a week is a good start. But the answer really depends on what you feel is necessary for you because through yoga one learns to discover and follow one’s inner needs.

How can I prepare for a yoga class? What do I need to bring?

It’s best if you don’t eat heavy foods or drink alcohol at least two to three hours before the beginning of your class. It’s a good idea to come at least 10 minutes before the class, so that you can have enough time to change and get into a yoga mindset. You will find yoga mats and everything else you need for the class inside the studio. Your clothes need to be loose. Yoga is practiced barefoot.

Can I practice yoga if I’m not a vegetarian?

You don't have to do anything special or different to practice yoga. All you have to do is start practicing. Through regular practice you may feel like changing your diet, but if not – no problem!

My doctor recommended that I practice yoga to cope with stress. Which class is suitable and does yoga really help stress management?

Yoga is one of the most ancient and time-tested ways to manage stress. Each of our classes will help you release the stress, but we recommend one of the restorative classes. After just one class you will feel calmer and more energetic and will have a more positive outlook on life.

Are there practices that are counter-indicated in certain health conditions?

There are some positions and techniques that are counter-indicated in certain chronic illnesses, such as hypertonic blood pressure, spinal disc slip, ulcers, sciatica, survived apoplexy and others. If you have a pre-existing health condition, please let your instructor know in advance. Therapeutic yoga will probably be the most suitable class for your introduction to yoga.

What is the difference between yoga postures and other types of physical workouts?

What happens in your body during yoga differs significantly from other workouts. When practicing yoga postures you use a minimal amount of oxygen, while other exercises require excess oxygen. During yoga your breathing slows down, while during other workouts it typically grows faster. In yoga, the body temperature drops, while during most other exercise practices the body heats up. During yoga practice the metabolism slows down, while during most other exercises it is very fast. Other workouts focus on the muscles more than on other organs, while in yoga your muscles receive a minimal oxygen supply so that your other organs can get more oxygen. Yoga works up your heart gradually, while in other workouts that pressure builds up and is released quite quickly. Yoga practitioners need less food than active sportsmen. Yoga balances the hormonal activity of internal secretion glands. As a result of yoga, the autonomous neural system generates additional electrical impulses.

Can men practice yoga?

Weren’t most ancient yogi men? Everyone who still thinks that yoga is for women is welcome to try an 80-minute yoga class; it’ll change your thinking about that forever. Break free of prejudice, accept the challenge, and you will not regret it.

Can I practice yoga during my monthly menstruation?

Yoga is beneficial for the reproductive system and regulates the monthly cycle. You can practice yoga when menstruating. Only some of the inverse poses can be counter-indicative. Why give up your favorite yoga session when you can simply talk to your instructor and skip those poses?

What about yoga and high blood pressure?

First, ask your doctor. Yoga can have a positive impact on unstable high blood pressure. When you measure your blood pressure a week after you have started practicing yoga it may be a bit higher. Don’t worry – after the second week your blood pressure will be normal or close to normal and will stay that way as long as you practice regularly.

Can I practice yoga if I have asthma?

Ask your doctor. Physical activity is good when you have asthma because intense breathing tones the muscles along the bronchial tubes and in some cases of asthma the bronchial tubes are particularly vulnerable. Yoga strengthens the lungs and heart, helping you breathe more easily and deeply.

Why do we have to be on time?

Classes generally start with quiet time during which students reflect on their intention. Walking into class after it has started is extremely distracting and disrespectful to other students. Moreover, if you arrive late, you may miss the warm up postures which are critical to deeper postures.

Why can't we leave when we want to?

Classes are systematically planned to leave you feeling rested and energized. Leaving in the middle of a class before completing the full sequence could leave you agitated, make you more susceptible to injuries from not cooling down properly, and is disruptive and disrespectful to the rest of the class.

Why is it important to rest during savasana?

To allow our bodies absorb the benefits of the asana practice. Physically resting in savasana allows the heart rate to return to normal, promotes a soothing of the nervous system, allows the oxygenated blood, we have been working so hard to produce, circulate completely around the body. Mentally it gives us a further opportunity to still our minds and emotionally savasana allows us to feel and be at peace with whatever has come up as a result of the practice.

Why do we breath through the nose during asana practice?

To keep the body and mind calm. Breathing through the mouth is said to prompts the body's "fight or flight" mechanism, elevating the heart rate, blood pressure and blood acidity levels.

How will yoga change my lifestyle?

Yoga will not change your lifestyle, only you can change your lifestyle if you choose to. Over the medium to long term, a regular yoga practice (3 - 5 times a week) will help you manage stress, build inner confidence, strengthen your body and deepen your spiritual awareness.

Why should we do the postures at our own pace?

You are the only one who knows your body's limits and abilities. The teachers will encourage you to explore those limits, but students must take responsibility for their own practice and bodies. If you are new to exercise, you will need to learn the difference between stretching muscles and pain. The former is something to work though, the latter is something you should avoid.

Why do the teachers make adjustments to our postures?

To help you achieve the correct alignment and to help you avoid possible injury if the posture is performed incorrectly.

Why is important to go only as far as your body feels comfortable, and no further?

To avoid injury, you should only go as far as you feel able to. Although the teachers will encourage you to go further, you are the only person who knows what it feels like to be in your body. So in a way you are your own best teacher.

What does Om mean?

In The Heart of Yoga, T.K.V. Desikachar says "the ancient syllable "Om" is the shortest of the Mantras and in Indian tradition it is a word suggestive of God." He further elaborates that "the scriptures tell us "Om" is the planets primordial vibration from which the entire universe has arisen. All other sounds are contained within it. It is believed "Om" is the mother of all languages. Repetition of "Om" enables us to maintain mental and emotional calmness, overcome obstacles and enable understanding. An analysis of "Om" as it is written in Sanskrit shows that it is made up of A, U, M and a symbol representing resonance. So "Om" has four aspects. The first is A, a sound that comes from the belly, is formed in the open throat, and is voiced with the mouth open. As with many alphabets, A is the first letter of the Sanskrit alphabet. The second aspect is the U, a sound that is formed in the middle of the mouth. The mouth is not as wide as it is for sounding the A. With the third sound, M the mouth closes. The sound rises to the nasal passages, from where the resonance, the forth aspect of "Om" issues forth. Saying "Om" is actually a form of meditation.

What does Namaste mean?

A common translation is "I bow to the light within you". It is a greeting of respect accompanied by bringing together the hands at the heart centre or third eye. More

Can yoga help insomnia?

Yes it can. Yoga helps to balances the body's melatonin levels, the chemical which regulates your body clock. Physical exertion and mental concentration of yoga helps to relax your body and reduce stress.

Is it normal to have a headache after your first class?

Not if you have drunk lots of water. Getting a headache after your first (or any later) class could be the sign of a toxin flush and dehydration.

Why is it important to drink lots of water before and after class?

Drinking water is the single most important thing you can do for your health – even if you are not practicing yoga. And if you are practicing yoga (or doing other exercise) it's even more important. Our bodies are 80% water and most of us are dehydrated already. Every cell of our body contains and relies on water to function properly. If you are practicing Hot, Power, Ashtanga or other strong yoga practices, it is even more important to be fully hydrated before class and re-hydrate after class.

When can I eat after class?

Wait about 20 minutes to let you body return to normal, and then eat as you normally do.