Can I ask you a question?

When I tell people who aren’t familiar with practicing yoga that I’m a yoga teacher, it’s usually met by a game of 20 questions. And I LOVE yoga so much, I wish I can talk about it all damn day long. Here are some of the most common questions that I receive:

Is Yoga a religion?

Yoga can be whatever you want it to be. I’ve seen people bring religion into their practice, and I’ve seen people check it at the door. However, yoga is not a religion but rather a philosophy.

Do I have to chant Om?

Chanting or using mantras is a personal preference. OM is said to be the sound of the universe. It is a symbol of our connection to all living things and beings. It is a way to seal in the lessons of the yoga class. But, if you’re intimidated by or are not into chanting, you are by no means required to participate.

What if I don’t know or forget the name of the poses?

In class it can seem that the instructor is speaking a different language. Well, sometimes they are! Some teachers specifically use Sanskrit when calling out the poses in the sequence. I personally do not use full Sanskrit in my teachings because my pronunciation in Sanskrit is laughable. I find it to be confusing for beginners and I sound like a crazy angry leprechaun when pronouncing. Just look around the room and you’ll usually be able to follow along. A good yoga teacher will be aware of new student and make sure that you’re not let behind or lost in translation.

I cannot for the life of me shut my brain off, is yoga for me?

Yoga is for EVERYONE. I’ve made shopping lists in my head while in downward facing dog, I’ve put together a class theme while meditating; it happens. First and foremost, just try to relax and breathe. And most importantly don't berate yourself for thinking about not thinking. Accept wherever you are today and honor whatever comes up for you without passing judgment about it.

I can’t get my mind to shut off during meditation, so that means I can’t meditate either, right?

Welcome to the club! The older I get, the more my brain refuses to shut off. We are humans living in a modern world with families, jobs, activities, constant connection through emails, social media, etc. Just like with you yoga practice, just try to relax and don't berate yourself for thinking about not thinking. Eventually your thoughts and mind will relax. Just like with the asana practice, accept wherever you are today and honor whatever comes up for you without passing judgment about it. Mediation is a practice.

I don’t have a yoga body.

Ok, more of a statement than a question. But you have a body and you practice yoga. BOOM you have a yoga body and it is BEAUTIFUL. I assure you, no one will make you feel uncomfortable. You’re all there in a sacred space for the same reasons. And if anyone makes you feel uncomfortable, do not let that deter you from your practice. They clearly need some sage and just let the instructor know so they can bring it up to the student privately.

I’m extremely stiff, will I be able to do it?

If you are stiff, you are not alone. So many years of our lives we are sitting at a desk, driving in a car, or standing on our feet all day long. The weight of gravity and the weight of our worries can compress our joints and cause a lot of tension and stiffness in our physical bodies. By practicing Yoga, we stretch, lengthen and sometimes go into positions that we never thought we could, in order to bring relief and strength to the short, tense muscles in the body. Thankfully, stiffness can be cured! Regularity and patience are absolutely necessary to stretch out tense and stiff muscles, but over time the body can really change and feel lighter, brighter and much more relaxed. Most of us don't start out flexible when we go to a Yoga class, and everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, so try not to compare your progress, your body, your postures or anything with anyone else in the class. You are practicing Yoga for you; it is your journey, your process, your body and your mind. The more introspective and patient you are with yourself and where you are with your Yoga practice today, the more beneficial the practice will become for you tomorrow.

What kind of yoga should I practice?

The best advice I can give is find a studio near you who has a great balance of styles and DO ALL THE YOGA. I’m extremely lucky to live in an area that has some of the best studios to practice in. I didn’t think I would like taking restorative yoga or yoga nidra because I was a die hard vinyasa flow kind of a girl, and they’re now my favorite things not only to practice, but to also teach. Finding a style that fits you can be daunting because it seems like there is a new style of yoga popping up every week. But, this is also fantastic because it will be so easy to find something that works for you. There are slow classes like Yin, gentle, and Restorative yoga. In these classes, you’ll spend a good amount of time on the floor in long, deep stretches. Then you have Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Power yoga classes which will feature more movement and challenging poses, usually placing emphasis on moving in harmony with your breath. And then you find a class is just a ton of fun and raises awareness for some really awesome causes. A’hem - GOAT YOGA is totally awesome. Just sayin’!

Can I eat prior to class or session?

Avoid eating a full meal two hours before and after class. A small snack is fine, but a heavy meal will not feel so great when you’re flowing up and down, hanging upside down or twisting!

If I can’t do a certain pose during class, what do I do?

A good teacher will notice that you’re having difficulty and will come over to assist. If the pose is not comfortable to you or where your body is at for the day, simply rest in child’s pose. Child’s pose is always my home base for any of my students. There will always be another chance to try.

I’m pregnant! Can I still do yoga?

First off, CONGRATULATIONS! As long as you are cleared by your doctor to practice, prenatal yoga is amazing for both you and the bundle of joy (or joys) you’re carrying. It may differ a bit from the normal vinyasa class, and the biggest difference is that everyone in the room is a pregnant woman! The classes are tailored more specifically to address the aches and discomforts of pregnancy. Also, the aspect of community is a major part of prenatal yoga classes. It’s a wonderful time to bond with the baby, pumping the womb full of happy endorphins, it’s a place to meet other women who are going through a similar experience as you, making it a great place to vent, share stories, get tips, or whatever else you may want to hear/say. Everyone is at a different stage in their pregnancy. So if you say you’re aching in one area, another student may validate that they went through the same thing. The other difference is that the teacher is usually trained in prenatal yoga or at least has some experience with birth that qualifies them to teach this specialty, therefore they have a fairly good understanding of the process of pregnancy and birth.

Studies have suggested that practicing yoga during pregnancy can:

Improve sleep

Reduce stress and anxiety

Increase strength, flexibility and endurance in muscles needed during childbirth

Decrease some common “side effects” such as carpal tunnel, low back pain, nausea, shortness of breath, headaches

Decrease risk of pre-term labor

Another awesome benefit of prenatal yoga is the focus on the breath. Many of the breathing practices that we practice during class can be extremely helpful to use during labor. Some women even find that they use certain yoga poses during labor like Malasana (Yogi Squat) or Bharmanasana (table top).

If you’re apprehensive to yoga, I totally get it. I didn’t know anything about yoga when I first started and the only connection to the practice I had for about 10 years were DVDs from Target. But all I can say is the first time I rolled out and heard the snap the unraveling mat against the floor, I was hooked.

Of course, if there are any more questions that you may have, contact me! I would love to answer and talk about yoga all damn day long!

Peace, Love & Yoga!

Cathy