Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions often asked by new students.
- I'm a beginner, is your class ok for me
All my classes are mixed ability and quite suitable for beginners. Whatever level of fitness or experience students have they are engouraged to work mindfully and respect any limitations they may have.
- Do I need any special equipment?
Regular students prefer to have their own yoga mats and I usually have a couple of spares in the class. A blanket is very useful accessory as it can be used as a prop in many poses and for kneeling. We occasionally use foam blocks and belts but these are not essential in this style of yoga.
- What do I wear in the class?
Loose fitting clothing as you would wear for the gym. Remember also that yoga is practiced in bare feet.
- Can I try a class to see if I like it?
Yes of course, it is important to find the style of yoga that suits you. Regular students will pay four weeks in advance to secure their places.
- How does Hatha yoga differ from other styles?
There is some confusion about yoga styles. Essentially most of the yoga practiced in classes is 'hatha'. This is the yoga of postures, breathing and relaxation but also includes philosophical principles of raga yoga (sometimes known as the yoga of the sage Patanjali). Great yogis have introduced their own interpretations and so we find styles as Iyengar (after BKS Iyengar), Satyananda (the Bihar School) and Astanga Vinyasa (after Pattabhi Jois) and others.
- What is the significance of the word 'yogah'?
Yogah is the Sanskrit word for yoga. Patanjali, in the yoga sutra, states 'yogah chitta vritti nirodhah' - Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the Mind. And in the bhagvadgita there is 'yogah karmasu kaushalam' - Perfection in action is Yoga.
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