If today is your first class you may feel a little anxious. This is normal for most first time students. Just remember that everyone else felt the same way their first class too. Yoga is a practice. It's not about doing the postures perfectly. No one is judged or criticized. Other students are working too hard themselves to notice anyone else in the room. As long as you give your best effort, and try to do all the postures correctly, you will receive as much therapeutic benefit as someone who is able to do the postures with a high degree of flexibility, balance and strength. The instructor is there to offer encouragement and to give suggestions to help you improve in your practice. As you continue to come to class, you will become more and more comfortable with your yoga practice.

Try to take at least 10 classes as close together as possible. This is especially important for beginners. By starting this way you will feel like a new person physically, mentally, and emotionally. You will feel some benefit with just a few classes, but to truly see what the yoga can do for you, the cumulative effect of 10 classes in approximately 2 weeks is very powerful. After you've been coming for a while, 3 to 5 times a week is recommended for the most benefit. 3 times is good and 5 times is better. It's that simple.

Try to stay in the hot room. In the beginning, until you 've become accustomed to the heat (and we promise you will!) it's tempting to want to leave the hot room. However, it is better for you to stay. With your first few classes you are awakening and stimulating every system in your body. This is an amazing process, but can be a little scary too. You may feel light headed from all the blood pressure changes and even nauseous from the flushing of toxins from your system. These sensations will pass with a few classes. Listen to your body and simply sit down for as long as you feel you need to.

Focus on yourself and be as still as possible between postures. As you build your ability to focus your attention and still your body, the heat and the struggle will soon seem far less. Keep your attention focues on yourself in the mirror and your thoughts positive and non-judgemental of yourself and everyone else around you.

Come to class fully hydrated! VERY IMPORTANT! You need to drink water throughout the day in order to be properly hydrated for class. If you feel headachy or particularly tired during or after class you may need a sports drink like PowerAde to replace electrolytes. Most of your water should be had before or after class, as gulping water during class can upset your stomach. FYI... You should drink half your body weight in ounces of water in a day to be well hydrated. If you weigh 140 pounds, you should be drinking at least 70 ounces of water a day and possibly more if you're coming to class regularly.

It's normal to feel certain emotions during yoga class. The yoga is very powerful and works on many different levels to heal us. You may even feel the sudden urge to cry at what seems to be an inappropriate time when really the opposite is true. Your body holds emotional energy on a cellular level. The stress of this emotional energy in your body can cause disease and illness. The practice of yoga is releaseing this trapped energy to cleanse and heal. Some people feel this may be weird or wrong, but it's a perfectly normal & wonderful part of the process.

Yoga postures may cause unusual experiences. Many people experience flashes of light, electrical impulses and other unusual body sensations while practicing a posture. Again, these are all normal. Old injuries in the body may resurface as dull pain and aches. This can be alarming as you may think you are re-injuring your body, when really your body is ready to confront that old injury and heal it. It is important to understand that your body will heal faster if you continue your yoga practice. We don't need to label ourselves injured for life because of an injury we had years ago. WE CAN HEAL!

Every class is different. Let go of expectations and try to experience each class like it's your first. It's very common for class to be easy one day and more difficult the next. Never allow yourself to become discouraged or feel as though you are doing something wrong. This is also just part of the process. Everyday our body is different. Just put a smile on your face and have a little fun with your practice.

We believe that this Yoga is a priceless gift. When you take into consideration the cost to become well again when you have been injured or ill, the cost of a little prevention is so worth it! We also understand that from time to time we all need to cut back on expenses. If you find yourself in that position please come talk to Nicole. There are payment plans available and we are happy to work with you so that you may continue your practice. All you have to do is ask.


NAMASTE!
YOGA 101