frequently asked questions

Whether for fitness, as a relaxation technique, or as a stepping stone to higher awareness, yoga has the inherent power to make a profound and positive difference in your life. Here are some frequently asked questions about yoga.

What is yoga?
What are the benefits of yoga?
Is yoga a religion?
How is yoga different from stretching or other kinds of fitness?
I'm not flexible -- can I do yoga?
How often should I practice?
What do I wear?
I have never done yoga before. Where do I start?

What is yoga?
Yoga is a profound system of holistic health that originated in India over 5,000 years ago.

Yoga means "union" and is practiced to find balance between the mind, body and spirit. The beauty of yoga is its ability to bring harmony to all aspects of our being by helping the practitioner to become more mindful of all aspects of one's life.

At My Yoga Lounge, we teach Hatha Yoga (pronounced Ha-ta with a soft T), which is the study of physical poses called asana (pronounced a-san-a).
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What are the benefits of yoga?
The list is long, but to name just a few...

• Stress release and reduction
• Relief of minor back and neck pain
• Increases energy, vitality, and endurance
• Improves focus, balance, and mental clarity
• Improves circulation, stamina, and flexibility
• Helps to correct posture and body alignment
• Improves muscle tone and strength
• Keeps joints moving smoothly
• Helps to normalize blood pressure
• Stimulates immune system and internal organs
• Improves quality of sleep
• Heightens intuitive awareness
• Potential for personal and spiritual transformation
• Increases sense of well-being
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Is yoga a religion?
Yoga is NOT a religion -- rather, it is a philosophy that began in India an estimated 5,000 years ago. It is NOT necessary to surrender your own religious beliefs to practice yoga.
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How is yoga different from stretching or other kinds of fitness?
Yoga is unique because we connect the movement of our bodies and the fluctuations of our minds to the rhythm of our breath. By connecting the mind, body, and breath, we are able to direct our attention inward. It is through this process of inward attention that we learn to recognize our habitual thought patterns without labeling them, judging them, or trying to change them, thereby becoming more aware of our experiences from moment to moment. The awareness that we cultivate is what makes yoga a "practice," rather than a goal or task to complete... it is being in the moment -- not worrying about tomorrow or having regrets about the past, and letting go rather than constantly striving for a particular outcome. The joy of the practice IS the journey, not the destination.

Yoga is NON-competitive, so it's important that while you're practicing that you let go of a competitive mind-set and do what you can do without judgment or comparison to your fellow student.
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I'm not flexible -- can I do yoga?
Absolutely! In fact, you are a perfect candidate for yoga! Many people think that they need to be flexible to begin yoga, but that's incorrect. In yoga, you come as you are and you will find that your yoga practice will help you become more flexible. Your newfound agility will be balanced by coordination, strength, enhanced cardiovascular health, as well as a sense of physical confidence and overall well-being and peace.
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How often should I practice?
Yoga is amazing -- even if you only practice for one hour a week, you will experience the benefits of the practice. Of course, if you are able to do more than that, you will certainly experience more benefits. If your schedule permits, starting with two or three times a week is ideal. After awhile you may find that your desire to practice expands naturally and you will find yourself wanting to practice more frequently.
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What do I wear?
Wear comfortable clothing that you can bend and move freely in. Clothing such as: yoga pants/tops, leotards, cotton tights, bike shorts, T-shirts or tank tops would be good. (Bulky or overly loose clothing will only get in the way.) If you have long hair, you may want to tie it back so it doesn't interfere with your practice. Also, if you chill or get hot easily, you may want to consider wearing layers. Since we practice with barefoot, no special footwear is necessary. Please arrive clean and fresh.
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I have never done yoga before. Where do I start...?
If you've never done yoga before, sign up for our 4-week series Intro to Yoga. This course is designed for the yoga novice, or anyone wanting to learn the foundations of Hatha yoga from the ground up. You'll learn breathing techniques and fundamental poses used in all classes. You can also just drop in to any of our on-going beginning (level 1) classes. (Please check the schedule page for class times and descriptions).
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NOTE:
Consult your doctor prior to performing yoga if you have any existing health challenges such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Some of the advanced yoga postures (practiced in advanced classes), such as headstands can be dangerous for individuals with high blood pressure or eye problems. Be sure to inform the teacher before class if you are pregnant.
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