Q: What do I need to bring?
A: All you really need to begin practicing yoga is your body, your mind, and a bit of curiosity. It is helpful to have a stretchy pair of sweat pants, leggings, or shorts. A t-shirt that's not too baggy, remember there is forward bending and you want your shirt to stay in place. No special footgear is required because you will be barefoot. It's nice to bring a towel and water to class with you. As your practice develops you might want to buy your own yoga mat, the Club will have mats and other props available for you in class.
Q: I'm not flexible—can I do yoga?
A: Yes! You are a perfect candidate for yoga. Many people think that they need to be flexible to begin yoga. Come as you are and you will find that yoga practice will help you become more flexible.
Q: If I am recovering from an injury or a surgery is it safe to practice yoga?
A: Always consult with your doctor before exercising especially after an injury or surgery. Most yoga postures can be modified to accommodate a wide range of limitations. Prior to the start of class let your instructor know what is going on with your physical condition. He or she can help you to keep your yoga practice safe and help you on your way to full recovery.
Q: How many times should I practice Yoga a week?
A: Yoga is amazing—even if you only practice for one hour a week, you will experience the benefits of the practice. If you can do more than that, you will certainly experience more benefits. I suggest starting with two or three times a week, for an hour or an hour and a half each time. If you can only do 20 minutes per session, that's fine too. Don't let time constraints or unrealistic goals be an obstacle—do what you can and don't worry about it. You will likely find that after awhile your desire to practice expands naturally and you will find yourself doing more and more.
Q: How is yoga different from stretching or other kinds of fitness?
A: Unlike stretching or fitness, yoga is more than just physical postures. Even within the physical practice, yoga is unique because we connect the movement of the body and the fluctuations of the mind to the rhythm of our breath. Connecting the mind, body, and breath helps us to direct our attention inward. Through this process of inward attention, we learn to recognize our habitual thought patterns without labeling them, judging them, or trying to change them. We become more aware of our experiences from moment to moment. The awareness that we cultivate is what makes yoga a practice, rather than a task or a goal to be completed. Your body will most likely become much more flexible by doing yoga, and so will your mind.
Q: Is Yoga a religion?
A: Yoga is not a religion. It is a philosophy that began in India an estimated 5,000 years ago. Answer: although many religions incorporate yoga as a spiritual practice, yoga is not a religion. At LGSRC yoga is practiced for its physical benefits which include increased flexibility, strength, balance, coordination, and stress relief.
Q: What are Asanas?
A: Asana is defined as "posture;" its literal meaning is "seat." Originally, the asanas served as stable postures for prolonged meditation. Asana should be steady and comfortable, firm yet relaxed.
Please consult our for class times.
Feel free to contact the LGSRC at (408) 356-2136 or email YogaInfo@lgsrc.com
for more information or any questions you may have.
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