FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Want to know something but you're embarrassed to ask? You're not alone! These are some of the questions I get most often.
Q: I'd really like to try yoga, but I'm worried that I won't fit in.
A: This is a common concern among new students. We ALL have insecurities! I encourage my students to "stay on your mat," meaning that you focus on your own movements and not compare yourself to others. Judgment of self and of others has no place in yoga class.
Q: I'm not in my 20s (or even in my 40s) anymore. Can I realistically practice yoga?
I'm not a typical skinny yogi like you see in videos. How do I avoid looking like an idiot in a yoga class?
I work at a desk all day, and can't even touch my toes. I can't do yoga, can I?
A: The answer to all of these questions is, Absolutely! Yoga is infinitely adaptable, making it easy for people of all ages, sizes, and abilities to do it. I’ll work with you to find the variations of poses that are best for you. You may not be able to touch your toes when you begin, but so what? It's not a contest, and nobody is judging you! The practice of yoga (it's a "practice" because the more you do it, the better you get) is a gradual journey that is different for everyone. As yogis are fond of saying, we're all on the same path, just on different parts of it.
Q. What should I expect from my first yoga class?
A: You'll enter the studio and unroll your mat in a space where you feel comfortable. Be sure to let me know if you have any injuries, or if you don't want hands-on assists. When class begins, I’ll guide you to "come into your breath" by sitting quietly and deepening and lengthening your breathing, then we’ll begin some gentle movement.
From there, it varies according to the type of class. In Vinyasa, you'll continue to warm up with more vigorous movements such as Sun Salutations, then move into the core of the class, which might include standing and balancing poses, backbends, twists, hip-openers, and so on. In a Restorative class, you'll use a variety of props to lie in postures designed to quiet your nervous system. Regardless of the class, I will always clearly explain what we're doing and why, and will help you get the most out of the practice.
You'll end your asana practice lying on your mat in Savasana, where you allow your body to absorb the movements you've just done. If you've set an intention, this is a good time to meditate on it. I’ll gradually bring you out of Savasana and into a comfortable seated position to get your breathing and focus back to normal. I may end by reading something appropriate to the theme of the class, or by leading you in chanting several OMs, or simply by thanking you for your presence. (It is customary to respond by saying "Namaste," which is pronounced "Nah-mah-STAY" and translates as, "The highest in me bows to the highest in you.") Then, at your own pace, you may roll up your mat and float out of the studio.
Q: What should I wear to class?
A: Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. You don't have to wear spandex if that's not your thing, but don't wear anything too baggy; you don't want a loose shirt flying over your head when you bend forward! Try on your outfit at home and move around a bit. Bend forward, backward, to the side...raise your arms overhead, kick your legs (one at a time!) forward, back, sideways...If everything feels comfortable, you're good to go!
Q: What else do I need to bring with me?
A: All you'll need is a mat. (Some studios rent them out, so you may not even need that.) A non-breakable lidded bottle filled with water is good to have, and if you sweat a lot, you might take a small towel. The studio will provide everything else.
Q: What about all the movements? How will I ever keep up?
A: It can seem overwhelming at first. Though the focus may change from one class to the next, many poses are repeated frequently, so you'll quickly become familiar with basic sequences such as Sun Salutations and Dancing Warriors. In classes with new students, we begin with the basics and go slowly so that your body can learn the poses. I assist you with verbal cues and hands-on adjustments that help you attain correct alignment and get deeper into the pose.
Q: What's with the names of the poses, er, asanas? I don't speak Sanskrit.
A: I'd be very surprised if you did, honestly. Whenever possible, I provide both the English and Sanskrit names for the asanas, which helps make them familiar. In no time at all, you'll be proudly telling your friends you've mastered Parivrtta Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana!
Q: You teach Yin and Restorative types of yoga. They both sound pretty relaxed. What's the difference?
A: They're significantly different, actually. First, the similarities: both Yin and Restorative are slow, grounded practices that utilize props to help you make the most out of the poses, which are held for several minutes. The difference comes in with the intent and the audience.
Restorative yoga works by relaxing the body sufficiently to allow the autonomic nervous system to kick in, lowering the amount of cortisol (the "flight or fight" hormone) in the body. In this state of deep rest, the body is able to lay the foundations for growth and healing. It is not physically challenging, making it ideal for people with injuries or who are recovering from illness or surgery.
Yin yoga is a deceptively intense practice that targets the fascia, the connective tissue throughout our body. Unlike muscles, which respond to quick repetitive movements, fascia is best worked by long holds. We use traction and compression to stress the connective tissue and ligaments, which results in more flexibility, faster bone growth, and an increased sense of well-being. Yin poses can be quite challenging, and should be attempted only by people who are in good health. It's a great complement to other "yang" yoga practices such as Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Hatha.
Restorative and Yin are amazing practices with lots of benefits. Try them both!
Q: I'd really like to try yoga, but I'm worried that I won't fit in.
A: This is a common concern among new students. We ALL have insecurities! I encourage my students to "stay on your mat," meaning that you focus on your own movements and not compare yourself to others. Judgment of self and of others has no place in yoga class.
Q: I'm not in my 20s (or even in my 40s) anymore. Can I realistically practice yoga?
I'm not a typical skinny yogi like you see in videos. How do I avoid looking like an idiot in a yoga class?
I work at a desk all day, and can't even touch my toes. I can't do yoga, can I?
A: The answer to all of these questions is, Absolutely! Yoga is infinitely adaptable, making it easy for people of all ages, sizes, and abilities to do it. I’ll work with you to find the variations of poses that are best for you. You may not be able to touch your toes when you begin, but so what? It's not a contest, and nobody is judging you! The practice of yoga (it's a "practice" because the more you do it, the better you get) is a gradual journey that is different for everyone. As yogis are fond of saying, we're all on the same path, just on different parts of it.
Q. What should I expect from my first yoga class?
A: You'll enter the studio and unroll your mat in a space where you feel comfortable. Be sure to let me know if you have any injuries, or if you don't want hands-on assists. When class begins, I’ll guide you to "come into your breath" by sitting quietly and deepening and lengthening your breathing, then we’ll begin some gentle movement.
From there, it varies according to the type of class. In Vinyasa, you'll continue to warm up with more vigorous movements such as Sun Salutations, then move into the core of the class, which might include standing and balancing poses, backbends, twists, hip-openers, and so on. In a Restorative class, you'll use a variety of props to lie in postures designed to quiet your nervous system. Regardless of the class, I will always clearly explain what we're doing and why, and will help you get the most out of the practice.
You'll end your asana practice lying on your mat in Savasana, where you allow your body to absorb the movements you've just done. If you've set an intention, this is a good time to meditate on it. I’ll gradually bring you out of Savasana and into a comfortable seated position to get your breathing and focus back to normal. I may end by reading something appropriate to the theme of the class, or by leading you in chanting several OMs, or simply by thanking you for your presence. (It is customary to respond by saying "Namaste," which is pronounced "Nah-mah-STAY" and translates as, "The highest in me bows to the highest in you.") Then, at your own pace, you may roll up your mat and float out of the studio.
Q: What should I wear to class?
A: Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. You don't have to wear spandex if that's not your thing, but don't wear anything too baggy; you don't want a loose shirt flying over your head when you bend forward! Try on your outfit at home and move around a bit. Bend forward, backward, to the side...raise your arms overhead, kick your legs (one at a time!) forward, back, sideways...If everything feels comfortable, you're good to go!
Q: What else do I need to bring with me?
A: All you'll need is a mat. (Some studios rent them out, so you may not even need that.) A non-breakable lidded bottle filled with water is good to have, and if you sweat a lot, you might take a small towel. The studio will provide everything else.
Q: What about all the movements? How will I ever keep up?
A: It can seem overwhelming at first. Though the focus may change from one class to the next, many poses are repeated frequently, so you'll quickly become familiar with basic sequences such as Sun Salutations and Dancing Warriors. In classes with new students, we begin with the basics and go slowly so that your body can learn the poses. I assist you with verbal cues and hands-on adjustments that help you attain correct alignment and get deeper into the pose.
Q: What's with the names of the poses, er, asanas? I don't speak Sanskrit.
A: I'd be very surprised if you did, honestly. Whenever possible, I provide both the English and Sanskrit names for the asanas, which helps make them familiar. In no time at all, you'll be proudly telling your friends you've mastered Parivrtta Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana!
Q: You teach Yin and Restorative types of yoga. They both sound pretty relaxed. What's the difference?
A: They're significantly different, actually. First, the similarities: both Yin and Restorative are slow, grounded practices that utilize props to help you make the most out of the poses, which are held for several minutes. The difference comes in with the intent and the audience.
Restorative yoga works by relaxing the body sufficiently to allow the autonomic nervous system to kick in, lowering the amount of cortisol (the "flight or fight" hormone) in the body. In this state of deep rest, the body is able to lay the foundations for growth and healing. It is not physically challenging, making it ideal for people with injuries or who are recovering from illness or surgery.
Yin yoga is a deceptively intense practice that targets the fascia, the connective tissue throughout our body. Unlike muscles, which respond to quick repetitive movements, fascia is best worked by long holds. We use traction and compression to stress the connective tissue and ligaments, which results in more flexibility, faster bone growth, and an increased sense of well-being. Yin poses can be quite challenging, and should be attempted only by people who are in good health. It's a great complement to other "yang" yoga practices such as Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Hatha.
Restorative and Yin are amazing practices with lots of benefits. Try them both!