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Why newbies shouldn’t give up on yoga

2016Feb15_Yoga_AYour first yoga class can be intimidating. You’re in a room full of strangers, some wearing very little clothing, all stretching and contorting their bodies. As you see some of the more experienced students shifting into poses straight out of the cirque du soleil, you may feel a mixture of shock, amazement and embarrassment. How will you ever get to that level? Do you even want to get to that level?! If this sounds like you, we have two words for you: stop it. While you may be a few years off being a top yogi, you have to remember that even the students effortlessly standing on their heads in class were once nervous beginners like you. So if your first yoga class has left you feeling afraid and insecure, here are a handful of reasons why you should keep practicing.

You’ll find the right teacher

Finding the right teacher is key to developing a yoga practice you feel comfortable with. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a teacher you love right away. For those who don’t, there’s nothing wrong with looking elsewhere. Some teachers are gentle, and others are more demanding of their students. Some will play music you enjoy, and others won’t play music at all. Some will race you through poses like a drill sergeant, and others at a slow pace. There are an endless variety of teachers out there. Keep looking till you find the right one.

You’ll learn to love props

Maybe you’ve seen those blocks, blankets and straps sitting in the corner of the classroom. Yes, they can look a bit scary at first, but remember, they’re there to help beginners like you. The block, for example, can help bring the floor higher. So if you’re having trouble touching the ground in triangle pose (the pose where your feet are spread apart so your legs create a triangle shape), use the block. It can prevent you from toppling over and help you stabilize the pose. Just like the block, all props have a distinct purpose that can help beginners tremendously. If you’re confused how a prop can help you, watch how other students use them or better still, ask your instructor.

You’ll learn it’s okay to go easy on yourself

Besides the teacher, who is there to motivate and train you, no one could care less whether you’re completing a pose or falling on your bum. Other students in class are focusing on their own practice, not you. So if you don’t want to participate in the chanting or breathing exercises, it is completely acceptable. As a beginner, just keep it simple: focus on your poses. Be respectful to your classmates and teacher, and they’ll treat you the same. Go easy on yourself, and you’ll quickly start getting the hang of yoga.

You’ll learn to love the back row

As a yoga newbie, there is no better place to be than the back row. From the back of the classroom, you can easily see how the more experienced students get into, and hold, poses. Of course the teacher is there to help you as well, but watching how others do it can be invaluable.

You’ll make progress

While it may be hard to believe, even the most advanced students in class are still deepening their yoga practice. That’s why it’s important to remember that yoga is not only a practice, but also a process. You’ll get better over time, but there will never be a point at which you’ve achieved yoga perfection. And you shouldn’t expect to.

In your class, focus on doing the best you can today. With this mindset you’ll soon notice your own progress, which will deepen at one month, six months, a year, five years of practice, and so on.

You’ll become more centered and calm

You’ve probably already heard that yoga can relieve stress, and make you more calm and centered. Today, there is actually some evidence to back it up. Over a three month period in 2005, researchers in Germany observed 24 stressed out women as they participated in two 90-minute yoga sessions a week. At the end of the three months, the women noticed a reduction in their anxiety and depression, and also a 65% boost in their overall feeling of well being. How would you like to experience that?

Remember, no matter how good you are at a given task today, there was once a time when you were a beginner. Yoga is no different. Put in the practice and you’ll eventually be contorting your body into crazy poses like the rest of them. Until then, come down to our studio and benefit from the guidance of our experienced teachers. They are happy to help you become the yogi you are meant to be.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.

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How to tell if you have a good yoga teacher

For a lot of people who do yoga, they end up sticking with the first instructor they visit. This is out of convenience or fear of the unknown more than anything else. Maybe it’s because the studio is close to their house or maybe it’s because they get a great discount for buying class sessions in bulk. There’s no shame in this, but perhaps you’re wondering if your teacher is actually any good.

After all, there is a reason you continue to go to their class, but is it because you are learning from the teacher or some other non-experience related reason? Here are 6 questions to ask when trying to better understand if your yoga instructor is good.

Does your yoga teacher make you feel comfortable?

This is something a lot of students don’t necessarily realize until after they reflect upon the question. A big part of yoga is mental and if you don’t feel totally comfortable during your class because of something the teacher is or is not doing, then that’s a problem. For instance, if you don’t like being touched, having a hands-on instructor might make you a little uncomfortable. A good yoga teacher will take the time to understand you and help you find your comfort zone during their class.

Where’s the teacher’s attention going?

We have heard our fair share of stories that involve male teachers, and even a few female ones, paying attention to a handful of the best looking students and basically ignoring the rest of the class. This is a sign of a bad instructor and one who is not in tune with the basic principles of yoga. A good teacher is aware of his or her surroundings and will assist those students who may be struggling as well as provide support to everyone, not a select few people in the class.

How prepared are they?

Each yoga instructor has a different style, but it’s pretty easy to tell if one is unprepared. You don’t want a teacher who rolls into class five-minutes late and just starts throwing out poses for everyone to do without any rhyme or reason. We aren’t saying a yoga teacher needs to have the entire class planned out from start to finish, the good ones are able to read the class and go with the flow, but they must be prepared to teach.

Are they flashy?

There are yoga instructors out there who will make sure their students know just how great they are by doing ridiculously complex poses and bragging about how much their yoga mat costs. These are arguably the worse kinds of teachers because they don’t understand that the class should be about you, the students. If the session has become focused on the teacher then the class dynamic is backwards and it can be difficult for anyone to learn.

Do they challenge you?

One of the most important aspects of yoga is challenging yourself, both physically and mentally. A good yoga teacher will help prepare you for these challenges and push you when you need it. We tend to not test our boundaries and instead try to find a routine which we can stick to. A good yoga teacher will make sure this doesn’t happen and present you with challenges when you are ready for them.

What do other students say about the teacher?

While you’re entitled to your opinion, it’s good to ask around to see what your classmates think about your yoga instructor, especially if you haven’t practiced with a number of other teachers. If they share similar complaints you might want to consider what they are saying and see for yourself if it is true or not.

The teachers at our studio always put students first. No matter what your level is, our yoga instructors will help guide you on your journey.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.

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Improve your poses with vibrating yoga pants

164_A_YogaThere’s no doubt, yoga pants are in style these days. While they have a practical use in the studio to add additional comfort to your practice, what if they could do more? The fashion tech company known as Wearable Experiments believes they can. Later this year, they plan to release vibrating yoga pants that will help guide you into postures correctly. Here’s what you need to know about these radical new yoga pants.

If you’ve dabbled in yoga or are a beginner, you know firsthand just how difficult it can be to get into the right position. When you’re just starting out doing yoga, getting hung up on and over-thinking your poses can be a distraction. Instead of focusing on your breathing, stretching and enjoying your new practice, you’re worried about whether or not your posture is correct. This is obviously frustrating. And Billie Whitehouse, the CEO of the company that is making the new yoga pants, understands the need to get your posture right. “As someone who doesn’t always know the correct form or alignment in poses, I find having that proper guidance is crucial.”

How vibrating yoga pants work

Named Nadi Smart fitness pants, the tights use haptic vibrations to ensure you nail your yoga poses. These vibrations vary in intensity and frequency depending on your body position and mimic the sense of touch, providing an experience similar to a teacher guiding you in your pose. The only difference is that your pants are doing it instead!

To be used in tandem with the pants is an app that will be compatible with both Google Android and Apple iOS devices. This app monitors your form and flow as you move from one pose to the next, and shows you the correct pose as well as where you need to make adjustments.

Because these pants vibrate and obviously use technology, you may think they’ll look awkward and clunky. However, this does not appear to be the case at all. Reportedly, the technology is subtle and unobtrusive. And judging from images on the company’s website, technology is nowhere in sight. The tights look like a normal, yet fashionable pair of yoga pants.

However, when it comes to yoga, we understand that many people will still prefer the guidance of an instructor. That’s why the teachers in our studio will not only guide you in your poses, but will also provide support and be there to answer all your questions. So until a pair of pants can do that, we recommend you swing by our fitness center for all the assistance you need in developing your yoga technique. Get in touch with us today.

 

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.

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Yoga tips for plus-size bodies

164_yoga We’ve all seen her. The smiling blonde, super-sexy, super-toned girl beaming on the cover of Women’s Health magazine or the like. Decked out in her yoga pants and tank top, we’re all just dying for a body like that. But the truth is that many of us don’t fit that mold. In fact, if you look around most yoga classes, you’re likely to see a few plus-sized bodies. And one of them might be yours. If so, it’s wise to remember that our larger bodies work a bit differently. And there are a few tips you should bear in mind.

Slow down

Intense, fast workouts aren’t the only way to exercise. And while the quick paced classes of vinyasa are becoming more popular, that doesn’t mean there’s no calorie burn in a slower class. In fact, slow yoga can increase strength and flexibility. Additionally, it rids your body of stress-induced chemicals that cause weight gain and inflammation.

If you’re a plus-sized girl who’s new to yoga, it’s even more important that you find a gentle, slow class when starting out. This will give you a chance to ease into the practice so that you don’t feel discouraged by a workout that’s too challenging. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to find a yoga class specifically designed for plus-size bodies. If you do, take advantage immediately!

Trust your inner voice

As with all exercises, you need to learn to trust your inner voice so that you know when you’ve hit your limit. Just because yoga is a low impact exercise, it doesn’t mean you can’t hurt yourself. Twisting and contorting your body into poses you’re not used to can cause strain, muscle tears and even back injuries if you go overboard. The fact is that not all poses are going to work for everyone. All bodies are created differently, and some positions cause unique challenges depending on the body that’s undertaking them.

Being plus sized, you also need to remember that your weight is literally weight. When you go into the crane pose, you could be lifting 50+ more pounds than the size-four girl at the front of the class. Your body is simply not going to move into that position as easily. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Respect your body, don’t judge yourself and follow your instincts.

Practice with a teacher you like

Yoga, and all exercise for that matter, should make you feel good about yourself. If you come across a teacher who makes you feel ashamed of your body or is pushing you too hard, it’s time to change classes.

There are plenty of teachers out there who will have you leaving class feeling positive, smiling, and with more patience and clarity. Find that teacher and stick with him or her.

Know your motives

Why are you doing yoga? If you don’t know, it’s time to take a minute to reflect. Are you there for fun? Do you want to try something new? Do you just want to shed pounds?

Whatever your reason, know that yoga is not just about exercise and toning up. A large part of the practice is developing mental focus and clarity that you can carry into your everyday life. When your yoga instructor tells you to focus on your breathing, she’s doing it for a reason. If this doesn’t matter to you, there may be other exercises better suited to you than yoga. You have plenty of options. The important thing is to find a workout routine you enjoy that accomplishes your fitness and health goals.

Want to learn more about yoga or need advice finding the right exercise? Get in touch today.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.