UNEASY ABOUT TRYING YOGA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LARGE GROUP? PRIVATE ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS OR A SESSION WITH A FRIEND OR TWO IN YOUR HOME ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.
karen l. polvinale, owner/teacher
Yoga is a practice for living a better, healthier, fuller life. It dates back over 5,000 years. The word yoga means to yoke or join together. Yoga practice helps you connect body, mind and spirit. Yoga is not a religion, but can help you deepen your spirituality. Yoga's benefits are many for physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health!
Karen is the winner of the Funcoast Readers Choice Award 2012 for Best Yoga Class
Yoga etiquette will help everyone get more out of the practice
YOGA & FITNESS
NAMASTE:
"I HONOR THE DIVINE IN YOU THAT IS ALSO IN ME, AND I ACKNOWLEDGE WE ARE ALL ONE."
Body Language, LLC
What do you need to get started in yoga?
You don't need much!
Refrain from eating for 1 1/2 - 2 hours before yoga class. If you practice yoga on a full stomach you may experience some nausea, cramps or vomiting, especially in twists, forward bends and inversions. The process of digestion takes away energy and might make you feel lethargic.
Arrive early. Getting to class about 10 - 15 minutes early will help you settle in and align your attitude with the purpose of the class. While waiting for practice to begin you can sit or lie quietly, breathe mindfully and get centered, or take care of any paperwork, if you're new to class.
Arrive Clean and Free of Scents. Some of your classmates may be allergic to perfumes and scents, especially in a crowded class. Please be kind, honor your classmates and leave the perfumes and other scented products for other times.
Set your phone or pager to OFF, or to vibrate and keep it next to you if you must keep it on. Unless you're in an emergency situation, no phone calls or texts during class. If you must answer a call or page, please quietly leave the room to do it.
Let your teacher know about any injuries or medical conditions that might affect your practice so that modifications can be presented.
Bring your own mat, a towel and water. The yoga mat is considered sacred space meant for its owner, only, and and that's why we never step on another person's mat. It's also why you should remove your shoes to practice. You don't want to spread dirt and germs onto the space you're using.
Create an intention. To help you focus it is helpful to dedicate your practice to a certain intention. This might be to become more aware and understanding, more loving and compassionate or healthier, stronger and more skillful.
Be quiet. Don't distract others with extended conversations.
Honor your body. Don't try to go too deeply into a pose if you're not ready. You'll go farther, faster if you listen to your body and work from where you are, not where you think you should be.
Pick up and neatly put away any props you use.
Enter and exit class quietly if you arrive late or leave early. If you know you have to leave early or take a call, stay as close to the exit as possible during class.
Please stay for Savasana, the relaxation period at the end of class. This is where you bring the whole experience together and is very important to your practice.
Take time afterwards to think about what you did in class so you can retain what you learned. Even if you remember just one thing from each class, you'll soon have a lot of information that can deepen a home practice.
Wear comfortable clothes, nothing too loose or baggy and no zippers. It's best to dress in layers.
Must Haves:
Yoga sticky mat
The typical yoga sticky mat is 24" x 68" and comes in thicknesses ranging from 1/8" to 1/2" and can be purchased locally at Target, TJ Maxx, Meijer, WalMart, etc. Another great source for yoga equipment is http://www.yogaaccessories.com, where you can also find wider and longer mats if you need them. If you don't want to invest before you try the class bring a large towel or blanket. We will be on the floor or grass (Beach Yoga).
Optional Equipment: (Give class a few tries before you invest)
Yoga Blocks
Yoga Strap (Available to borrow in most classes)
YogiToes socks & gloves (for traction)
Blanket and Eye Pillow (A blanket to keep warm and an eye pillow to block out light, help to make Savasana a delicious experience.)
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