Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
about Yoga and the Body Mind Sprit Center
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How is the class time structured?
Is it all “doing yoga?” |
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Each class begins
by focusing 10 to 15 minutes breathing practices,
or pranayama. Yoga poses, called asanas, are taught
for the next 45 to 50 minutes. Classes end with
10 to-15 minutes of guided relaxation, meditation
or, sometimes, yogic chanting. |
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Why is breathing so important
in yoga? |
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In the practice of yoga, the
breath is your tool. Like a paint brush to an artist,
your breath guides you through your yoga practice. |
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Why is guided relaxation
and meditation important in yoga? |
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After a yoga class, relaxation and meditation
helps us focus our energy even further inward,
to take greater advantage of the changes that
our pranayama (breath) and asanas (poses) have
helped us achieve during class.
Our pranayama and asanas prepare us for a profound
experience through meditation and relaxation.
This is an essential part of yoga practice. It
is, in fact, the last piece of what is called
the “Eight-Fold Pathway” to a fuller
and more aware life.
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What do I wear? |
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Yoga is done in bare feet. Wear clothing that
is non-restrictive (like tights or long leg shorts,
and t-shirts or fitted tops; underwire bras are
discouraged). If possible, don’t wear baggy
pants or tops; the teacher needs to see the outline
of your body.
The Center has changing rooms and a place for
you to store your shoes, personal affects and
outerwear or street clothes during class.
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What do I need to bring
to class? |
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Body Mind Spirit Center provides all of the necessary
items for you to practice in class, including
cotton mats, support blocks, bolster cushions
and belts. However, you should bring a beach-size
towel or other light coverlet to place over your
cotton mat. The Center provides space for you
to store your own sticky mat and towel or other
coverlet, if you choose.
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If I have a chronic illness
or injury, can I still practice yoga? |
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Generally, yes, but be sure
to consult with your doctor and let your teacher
know what your condition is. Most Hatha Yoga poses
and practices can be modified to account for an
illness or injury, and the Center also offers Bliss
Yoga, which can specifically accommodate students
with limited flexibility, movement or other limitations. |
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Is yoga a cardiovascular
exercise? |
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The heart is a muscle, so yoga
will tone and strengthen it over time and if a daily
yoga program includes poses that are designed to
work the heart efficiently. However, Hatha Yoga
as it is practiced at the Center is not a form of
cardiovascular or aerobic exercise as most people
generally think of those terms today. Some current
forms of yoga do, however, integrate aerobics and
cardiovascular exercise into their programs. |
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Is yoga strength training? |
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Yoga will gradually strengthen
and tone your muscle structure. |
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I'm not very flexible, can
I do yoga? |
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Yoga is aimed at gradually making
you more flexible and stronger. Your degree of flexibility
and level of strength when you start do not matter
at all. In fact, if you’re asking whether your
lack of flexibility is important, it indicates that
you understand the first concept and goal of yoga
– being mentally flexible and open to new possibilities
and to your own potential. |
