Yoga Suggestions
If you’re new to yoga, there are a few practical tips that will help you get the most out of our classes and to avoid injury. These suggestions are merely guidelines so please discuss them with your teacher if you need clarification.
What to wear
Yoga is best done in either loose, comfortable clothing or leggings and a fitted top that won’t restrict your movement. Because the stretches are held for some time and are linked together in a flowing sequence, you will get fairly warm during class and may build up quite a sweat. We recommend you bring a small towel in case your mat gets too slippery. Also keep in mind that you will also be laying and sitting on the floor at various times and perhaps going upside down.
Mats and props
All you really need to do yoga is enthusiasm but there are a few things that can make you experience more comfortable. We have ‘sticky’ yoga mats, blankets, straps, bolsters etc., which you are welcome to use. Otherwise you can bring your own mat if you prefer. If you are practicing a more dynamic style of yoga like Ashtanga and build up a sweat, it is a good idea to use a cotton mat over the top of your sticky mat. You can bring your own or buy one from the studio.
Eating and drinking
As you will discover, it’s best to do yoga on an empty stomach. This makes the practice easier, more comfortable and more beneficial. It is best to leave at least 3 hours after eating a big meal before coming to class. If you need to eat more regularly, try to have something light and plain like fruit or toast. It is best to wait until the end of class to drink so as not to suddenly dampen the inner heat you are building during the practice. But if you really feel the need, it is fine to drink a little water during class. Ideally, wait about 15 minutes after finishing until you drink. Try to drink ample fluids (1-2 litres) after class to rehydrate, especially if you sweat a lot.
Injuries/Medical conditions
Please let your instructor know if you have any injuries or ongoing medical conditions that might be aggravated during yoga. There are several modifications to the poses that can help you avoid further injury. You should take particular care with knee, back and neck pain. If for some reason you feel sore after class please speak to your instructors and they can give you advice on appropriate restorative poses. If you have any chronic heart, respiratory, or neural conditions you should speak to you doctor before coming to yoga and keep your teacher informed. Yoga can be very beneficial for many ailments, however particular care must be taken where there is an existing condition.
Menstruation
Women who are menstruating can practice yoga but should avoid inverted positions (like headstand, shoulderstand and handstand) so that blood does not enter the fallopian tubes. Your instructor will give you alternatives when teaching these inversions. You should especially try to listen to your body during this time and modify your practice accordingly.
Pregnancy
Please let your instructor know if you are pregnant as there are a number of poses that should not be done or that should be modified. It is particularly important to be cautious in the first trimester, and to avoid building too much heat in the body.
Trust yourself
Yoga is a personal practice that will produce lots of physical, mental and emotional changes. These will be different and unique for everyone and a big part of doing yoga is being open and responsive to these individual changes. Yoga is not a competition, either with others or yourself. So try to respect and listen to your body. You will notice that your body feels different each time you come to class and some days you might not be able to stretch as far as the previous week. This is a normal part of the process so don’t try to push beyond your changing limits. Accept where you’re at day by day. If you feel stiff and tired one week, maybe it’s best to take it easy and focus more on the breath that day. If you feel flexible and strong, perhaps it’s a good time to try working (with awareness) a little deeper into the poses. Remember to choose the variation of a pose that feels best at the time. Your instructor is there to support and guide you but ultimately you should maintain ownership over your own practice. This is the best way to avoid injury and get the most out of yoga.