Frequently Asked Questions
Can I attend class if I’ve never done yoga before?
Yes! The beauty of yoga is that it’s ideal for everyone, all ages and all abilities. Our instructors are great at offering many modifications for each posture that will suite your abilities. As a new student it’s helpful to practice alongside more experienced practitioners to visualize the eventual progression of the asana (pose/posture).
Why do you use heat?
Heat protects the muscles, allowing for deeper stretching, thins the blood to clear the circulatory system, and detoxifies the body of toxins through sweat. The heat may come as a challenge to new students, but you get used to it faster than you think.
Is this Hot Yoga the same as Bikram Yoga?
Although you can draw similarities between all the different styles of yoga, this is not Bikram yoga.
What are the main differences between Hot Yoga and Bikram yoga?
Heat
In our Hot Yoga classes you will find the room heated to a comfortable and safe 95-98 degrees (90 degrees at The Kinetic Body). In Bikram yoga the heat is set at 105 and at times 110-115 degrees, not taking into consideration the humidity.
Style/Variety in Postures
In our Heated Vinyasa and Power classes there is always a variety in the postures you do from day to day. While there are postures that you will see in almost every class you take, there is variety and creativity in the sequencing. You will work your functional muscles of your upper body, core and lower body using dynamic sequencing and breath to link your postures. There is a constant flow of movement and energy allowing your body to heat from the inside rather than relying on extreme external heat to make your body sweat. You are encouraged to explore your own body in the postures and to always modify as needed. In Bikram you do the same exact 26 postures every single class. No variations. You mainly work your legs and a little back strengthening. There is no flow or movement from posture to posture. You just stand in one place on your mat and pose.
Will I lose weight?
Heated Vinyasa and Power Flow Yoga are excellent cardio-vascular workouts that raise the heart rate and burn fat. A minimum of 10 classes per month, along with a proper healthy diet will show weight stabilization. With regular practice your digestive, respiratory, endocrine and lymphatic systems will optimally work together and you will begin to notice diminished unhealthy cravings.
What if I’m not flexible?
A common misconception of yoga is the need to be flexible in order to do the postures. Yoga is not about having the flexibility to bend into a pretzel. The aim of yoga practice is improved heath, strength, stability and happiness. With continued safe practice suited to your body's daily needs, you will notice increased flexibility over time.
What are the benefits of yoga?
The nicest thing about yoga is the range of benefits you'll receive. On a physical level, you'll experience more strength, better balance, increased stamina, better breathing, improved flexibility, better posture and healthier circulation. All of these can add value to your athletic activities, such as running, cycling or swimming or they can simply alleviate tight muscles or help in recovery of an injury. On a mental level, the practice of yoga itself engages the student in meditation, which leads to improved focus, a calm mind and general happiness.
Can I practice yoga with a previous injury?
Always tell your instructor of recent or prior injuries! He or she can help you get the most out of your practice while being attentive to your injury. During practice, focus on doing the postures within the limits of your injury. With time, your body will heal and you will be able to return to the previous level of the postures or go deeper into the postures. Seriously consider taking a private session so we can custom tailor a yoga practice to help heal your injury and show you how you can modify your postures and work within your limits. So, although it is possible to practice yoga with an injury, sometimes you must listen to your body, take a break and let your body heal. Practicing yoga by being honest with your body and staying present with what it’s telling you.
What should I wear?
Wear light, stretchy clothes that are easy to move around in. Loose, baggy clothes can get in the way in some asanas and also makes it difficult for the instructor to help bring your body into the correct alignment. Most importantly you should feel comfortable in whatever you wear.
What should I bring to class?
Bring a mat, a large towel and water to class. Heated Vinyasa and Power Flow classes are dynamic forms of yoga that can generate a lot of sweat and loss of water. We also rent mats and towels for $2, if necessary. For your convenience we also sell only the best, eco-friendly, sticky mats and super absorbent, anti-slide Yogitoes (yoga towel) and electrolyte replenishing SmartWater. You may also want to bring a change of clothes for after class.
How should I prepare for class?
- Try to drink as much water as you can before throughout the day before class to avoid dehydration. Good rule of thumb is to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water, plus a little more. So, if you weighed 100lbs, you’d want to drink a little more than 50oz of water.
- Avoid large meals up to three hours prior to class. Arrive 20 minutes early before your first visit to complete the new student registration and get settled.
- If new, practice in the back row so you can follow regularly practicing students.
- Listen to the instructor guidance describing the poses. They provide cues to help you achieve proper alignment and improve depth.
- Take a break or skip a pose or two if it becomes too challenging.
- Don't get discouraged. With each class, it becomes much easier to make it through all the poses.
What can I expect the next day?
If this is your first yoga class or you haven't practiced in a while, expect to feel a little sore in the muscles the next day. Drink a lot of water before and after class to help release the toxins that cause muscle soreness. If you aren't too sore, come to yoga the next day to help your body become accustomed to the practice. You may even find that yoga practiced the next day will relieve a lot of your muscle soreness.
What is the basic class etiquette?
- Arrive at least 5 minutes prior to class start time so you have time to change, find a space, etc. without having to rush and disturb others.
- Sign-in and settle all payments before class begins.
- Turn off all cell phone and pagers, even in the changing area and hallway by the lockers, as they can be distracting in the studio.
- Give yourself and your neighbors plenty of room with mirror access.
- Tailor your practice by skipping a pose or by modifying its depth, not by substituting the pose. The sequences are rooted in proven yoga methods that provide optimal balance to the body.
- Avoid wearing strong perfumes or lotions.
- Observe silence during practice.
- Change negative thoughts and words to positive “I will try” instead of “I can’t.”
- Acknowledge that small things count ~ greater awareness leads to careful thoughts and actions and circumstances that support your best interests.