Questions
What is yoga?
Who can take yoga classes?
What are some of the health benefits of yoga?
What do students need to bring to class?
What is a class like at Quiet Willow Yoga Studio?
Is yoga a religion?
Is it a replacement for conventional therapy of medical
disorders?
Can I take yoga even if I am not flexible?
Can beginners take a yoga class?
What is Pilates?
Can you take both Pilates and Yoga?
What is Stress Management?
Answers
What
is yoga?
Yoga is a Sanskrit
word that means joining or union. It is the root of the English word
‘yoke’. It is a system of mind and body exercises developed more than
5,000 years ago in India and was first described in writing by the
Indian Yogi Patanjali who wrote that “yoga is the ability to direct
the mind exclusively toward an object and sustain that direction without
any distraction.”
Who
can take yoga classes?
Because yoga is not a competitive sport but a system of self-knowledge,
almost anyone can benefit from yoga practice. It is important to let
the teacher know if you have any specific health concerns so that
the physical yoga positions and breathing exercises can be modified
to make them safe and more effective.
What
are some of the health benefits of yoga?
Stress reduction, increased flexibility, and deep relaxation are tangible
benefits. Yoga is not a cure for physical disorders, but it can be
a very effective adjunct to treatment of a variety of medical conditions.
But even if you are in perfect health, it is a great way to stay fit.
What
do students need to bring to class?
At Quiet Willow Yoga Studio we have mats and blankets, and a variety
of ‘props’ (blocks, pillows, and straps) to help you move into and
hold some yoga postures. Many people prefer to bring their own mats
to class, and once you know that yoga is something you want to do
on a regular basis, it is a good idea to buy your own mat. You can
buy mats at places like Target, Whole Foods Market, or Home Goods,
or order them from online suppliers. You should wear comfortable clothes
to class that allow you to stretch and bend easily. It is safest to
do most yoga positions barefoot, or wearing socks with a ‘sticky’
surface so you don’t slip.
What is a class like at Quiet Willow Yoga Studio?
Class, which lasts for about 75 minutes, begins in savasana (lying
on the back with eyes closed and body relaxed) for deep relaxation.
It is the time in class to bring the focus inward and concentrate
on the breathing. Classes may have different emphases depending on
the needs of the students, but in general, a typical class follows
the pattern below: From savasana, we do a series of restorative poses
aimed at warming up the muscles and helping each person identify any
places in the body that might need extra gentleness or work. We then
move to: sun salutations, which are a series of postures that give
the body a good cardiovascular workout; leg lifts and an inverted
posture; forward folds and back bends; a lateral stretch for the spine
such as triangle; pranayama; and we end class in savasana with a guided
relaxation.
Is yoga a religion?
No, although some religions incorporate parts of yoga into their spiritual
practices.
Is it a replacement for conventional therapy of
medical disorders?
No. You should continue any current medication or treatment program.
You may want to consult your doctor before taking yoga to see if there
are any limitations on activities that you and your yoga teacher should
know about.
Can I take yoga even if I am not flexible?
Absolutely! One of the beauties of yoga is that it allows you to work
at your own pace and within your own limits.
Can beginners take a yoga class?
At Quiet Willow Yoga Studio we demonstrate each posture and suggest
less challenging and more challenging ways to do them so that students
can find their own level. The classes are deliberately kept very small
so that each student gets individual attention and instruction appropriate
to ‘where they are’ in yoga. There is also a stress management class
that includes very gentle stretches, deep relaxation and meditation
for those who prefer that approach or feel they want to ease into
yoga
What is Pilates?
Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates at the end of WWI. He originally
termed it 'contrology'. It immediately gained popularity among dancers
because of its emphasis on postural alignment and strengthening of
the deep core muscles that girdle the waist. It is still popular because
it can tone muscles and help to 'sculpt' the body quickly.
Can I take both Yoga and Pilates?
Yoga has a quality of stillness about it, while similar postures in
Pilates are repeated over and over. You don't have to choose one or
the other. Try both. You may find one more suited to your needs and
personality or you do what many Quiet Willow Yoga Students do: enjoy
the benefits of both.
What is Stress Management?
Stress management combines gentle yoga stretches and deep relaxation
through meditation and guided imagery. People who are very fit enjoy
it; those who have difficulty doing standing poses or more active
yoga also find it very beneficial.