About yoga + Mindfulness practices + personal fulfillment
What is yoga?
Simply put, the word “yoga” means to yoke or bind, or “union.” It is a holistic approach classified as a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India. These practices may be in many forms, including meditation, asana, or a way of life.
In western ideology, yoga is often thought to be just the physical poses or a workout of sorts - those bendy things people do with their bodies! But yoga is much more than that. It is a tool to use to help better your mental state, physical health and reach a sense of enlightenment when practiced.
In short, yoga is a any, all and combinations of the following:
Asana - the postures
Pranayama - Breathwork: from Ujjayi, Bhramari (humming bee breath) to Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril) and so much more
Dhyana - meditation
Of course, there are many more components of yoga. Depending on your goals, you may solely want to focus on the physical aspects of yoga: strengthening your core, elongating your muscles and fascia, evening out your body weight, or perform inversions and arm balances. You may also decide to dive deeper and connect to your mind and your soul, what your spirit is silently calling out for. Meditation can help relieve stress and reduce anxiety, and work on being more accepting of oneself.
What are the benefits of yoga?
Practicing yoga has oodles of physical benefits: it creates a flexible, toned and strong body and improves breathing, energy and metabolism. Yoga improves circulatory and cardiac health, as well as fitness levels, pain and posture. It also has benefits for your mental health, making you happier, more balanced and emotionally calmer. It can also help you relax so that you can handle stress better. Yoga encourages self-confidence and helps you to focus your energy.
The spiritual benefits of yoga are also key: Yoga teaches you to be aware of what is going on inside and outside of you. Yoga teaches you to be present in your surroundings and open to what is all around – in other words, more mindful.
You will feel some benefits immediately, such as the release of physical tension, the body opening and muscles strengthening – the “yoga high” factor that keeps people hooked on yoga, feeling utter bliss when you’re done with class. Other benefits depend on how much you practice and every person is different. But most people will feel a positive change after a few weeks, if not before.
How many times a week should I practice?
That all depends on your goals. Most students benefit from practicing at least 2-3 times a week; ideally every day! But as with any practice, it takes time. Your body and your mind may not be open to that much at once, especially in the beginning. For new students to yoga, I recommend committing to once a week, and slowly gauge how you feel after about 3-4 weeks to see if you’re ready to add on. The great thing about yoga is that it is your practice, and you can make it how you want.
Are private sessions better than group classes?
Not necessarily. This also depends on your goals, personality and comfort level. Private sessions are great for people who are new to yoga and want to learn more before heading to a packed class. They are more tailored to your specific needs, while a group class is often fitness-like, where the instructor is commanding a larger crowd and sometimes generalizing the sequence. That doesn’t mean group classes are harder! Sometimes with studio classes, you’ll often alter yourself to meet the class. With private yoga classes, the instructor will alter the class to meet your needs. The great thing about yoga is that it is all adaptable, and multiple alternatives to a pose can be taken. Let’s dig deeper:
PRIVATE SESSIONS | GROUP CLASSES
Whether you’re new or experienced, I encourage you to try all options. What works for one may not be suitable for another and your practice is ever evolving. There are wonderful benefits of both private and group classes. Cons will depend on the individual. If you want to chat about this or have more questions, please reach out!
i’M NOT FLEXIBLE, CAN i STILL DO YOGA?
Of course! You don’t have to be flexible, thin, experienced or strong to do yoga. Though many classes are designed to help loosen tight muscles and build strength! It’s important to know that yoga is often helping you from the inside out, there is no perfect body type.
How do i know if i’m doing it right?
If you’re practicing yoga at home without a teacher you might wonder if you’re doing the poses properly at first. It’s good to bear in mind from the beginning that our bodies and bone structures are all very different so there isn’t just one “right” way to do a pose. It’s about finding out what works for our own bodies.
Developing this body awareness takes practice. The main thing to know is that yoga is not meant to hurt – that goes for whether you’re at practicing yoga at home on your own or in a class with a teacher. You will probably experience different sensations than you’re used to, and you may feel your muscles working, but if you feel any type of “warning” pain, such as sharpness or pinching, listen to your body and come slowly out of the pose. There may even been poses where you feel no sensation at all (ie in Yin classes) and that’s okay!
Can I do yoga while I am pregnant?
If you are pregnant, check with your doctor or health professional before starting yoga.
If you have never done yoga before, the general recommendation is to not start during the first three months of pregnancy, since your body isn’t used to it. If you’ve had a regular yoga practice for a while, you can most likely continue. However, there are some poses to avoid, including twists and strong core work.
You also need to be aware that during pregnancy and breast feeding the body produces hormones which will make you more flexible, especially in the hips and pelvis. Therefore you will need to work more on maintaining stability in the joints so that you don’t overstretch them. Where possible, stick with specific pregnancy yoga classes or inform your instructor so they may offer alternative to still give you a great practice.
How do workplace/corporate classes work and what are the benefits?
Providing your team with yoga sessions is a great way to increase productivity, offer a fun little “break” in their day, and boost morale. We’ll often set up in a large conference room, breakroom or gym if the facility has one. Staff members will be more comfortable if they bring a change of clothes as some of the postures involve bending and twisting. We will often do poses on the ground, as well as exercises that increase the heart rate. Contact us to learn more about all of the options available and discuss what your team is looking for.
What is a reiki session like?
You can think of a Reiki session like a spa day for your mind and body. Similar to a massage, you can tell the energy worker your concerns or areas that need attention. For example, if you have a headache, a pain in your knee, or if your chest feels heavy, etc. After you express your concerns and goals for treatment, the energy worker will complete a full body scan and determine if any other areas of the body need worked on.
A Reiki treatment will help clear your energy channels - the meridians and nadis in your body that carry life force throughout - aid in opening and aligning your Chakras, ease your stress and help you clear your mind. It is a great time to meditate or focus on nothing in particular, allowing your body to absorb all of the positive energy from your healer.
Often, the entire body will receive treatment, as Reiki flows to the spots where it is needed! The energy worker will then use different hand placements on and over the body for several minutes at a time until the area feels cleared. The energy healer will sometimes feel guided or called to work on a certain area, creating a very individualized session.
Reiki is never harmful, and no negative side effects are experienced. The healer will cleanse themselves, the room and tools used prior to your treatment. Sound bowls and crystals may be used as well.