Questions & Answers

What is Yoga?

Yoga is a Sanskrit word, which in a nutshell means, “to Join.” Sanskrit is an Indo-Aryan or Indic language of the ancient India subcontinent with a 3,500-year history. It is the main language of Hinduism.

People in the West, tend to think of Yoga as physical movements only. It is so much more.  There are, what is called, the 8 limbs of Yoga. The 8 Limbs of Yoga is a System of educating the mind, body and spirit to work in a disciplined manner.

As you delve deeper into Yoga, you become more aware of the posture of your body, your thoughts, the nourishment you select to ingest and your lifestyle affects you.  Over time, changes occur gradually.

Is this a Hot Yoga class?

No. I am certified to teach a Hatha Level 1 Yoga class.

What does Hatha mean?

Hatha can be translated into 2 parts- “Ha” meaning “sun” and “tha’’ meaning “moon”

Hatha Yoga acknowledges the opposites in life; the negative and positive, the good and bad, the male and female energies, and looks to find balance.

Is Hatha Yoga part of a religious cult?

No. There are a lot of misconceptions about Hatha Yoga, expressed many times by people who have never taken a yoga class.

We chant in the beginning and end of class, to bring a peaceful feeling of unity into the space.

The names of the poses are in Sanskrit, because the origins of yoga come from India.

How will I know if I’m doing the pose correctly?

During class, we will perform a few asanas (poses). I will check to make sure you are doing them properly. If you need to be corrected, a verbal correction will be given, or gentle touch correction is made to your pose.

What is meant by the word, Pranayama?

Pranayama are powerful yet subtle breathing practices. You breathe through the nose, maintain a straight (not rigid) back, level chin and soft shoulders. When you breathe, you are taking in Prana, which is the vital energy force that surrounds us, and ayama is how we control the breath.

When we practice Pranayama, we bring in the life force into our body, letting it seep into the cellular level and revitalize the body.  With the practice of Pranayama, we connect the mind to the body and leave the body refreshed.

Why do we begin class chanting the word, “OM?”

“OM” is the first sound of the universe. It is actually pronounced as “A-U-M. One of the goals of yoga is to open up the chakras found along the spine, thus allowing the free flow of energy throughout the body.

What does the word, “Namaste” mean?

The spiritual meaning of namaste means “the divine in me respectfully recognizes the divine in you.” Namaste invokes the feeling of spiritual oneness of heart and mind, with the person one is greeting.

Are You New

to Yoga?

Our Class Policy

Our Hatha Yoga class is a

competitve-free environment!

Benefits of Yoga

  • Helps to balance the mind and body.
  • Increases strength and flexibility.
  • Improves coordination and balance.
  • Maintains and builds a healthy and flexible spine; improves posture.
  • Strengthens nervous, circulatory, digestive, endocrine, respiratory, skeletal, and muscular systems.
  • Teaches a non-competitive alternative.
  • Increases awareness of the senses and overall body awareness; helps cultivate a healthy body image.
  • Reduces stress, anxiety and depression.
  • Improves quality of sleep and relieves insomnia.
  • Helps resolve anger problems.
  • Builds emotional strength and resilience.
  • Teaches self-love, builds self-esteem and self-acceptance.
  • Promotes self-discipline.
  • Cultivates mindfulness and living in the present moment.

V-Shape Sequence (Paschima Navasana)

Leg Lifts (Modified with strap)

Cobra Sequence

Cow face (Gomukhasana)