All you really need is a mat and an open mind. I do, however, highly recommend having the following props: one or two yoga blocks, one yoga strap, two blankets (used to sit on, for supported and restorative poses). You can get everything you need online at sites like this one.
Yoga makes you feel fantastic. It's a workout and it's relaxation at the same time. After a yoga class, students often feel like they've had a great massage. Practicing asana (postures) and pranayama (breath control) promotes complete health by balancing the nervous system, massaging internal organs, releasing excess muscle tension, improving circulation, calming the mind and leaving students both relaxed and invigorated. The benefits of yoga are so great that there are endless amounts books written on that alone. Practicing yoga regularly changes students' perspectives and transforms their bodies. Practicing yoga with a teacher one-on-one accelerates your practice and gives you personal feedback as well as hands-on adjustments as needed for proper alignment. Proper alignment protects students from injury, allows them to get deeper into poses and gain greater benefit from the strength and flexibility-building that happens with the poses.
Q: Who can do yoga?
Anyone can do yoga. One of my teachers once said, "if you can breathe, you can do yoga." Yoga has benefits for all: the athlete, the couch-potato and the workaholic alike. Yoga is about so much more than the postures. While in a typical class, you'll do a lot of postures, all yoga postures have modifications to suit your body. The goal of a yoga practice is not to pain your way into a pretzel, but rather to explore your limits and work on the journey. My favorite band, Aerosmith, sings "Life's a journey, not a destination" -the same is true with our practice. There is so much to learn about ourselves and our bodies in the journey. Have patience with yourself, yoga is about feeling good!
Anyone can do yoga. One of my teachers once said, "if you can breathe, you can do yoga." Yoga has benefits for all: the athlete, the couch-potato and the workaholic alike. Yoga is about so much more than the postures. While in a typical class, you'll do a lot of postures, all yoga postures have modifications to suit your body. The goal of a yoga practice is not to pain your way into a pretzel, but rather to explore your limits and work on the journey. My favorite band, Aerosmith, sings "Life's a journey, not a destination" -the same is true with our practice. There is so much to learn about ourselves and our bodies in the journey. Have patience with yourself, yoga is about feeling good!
Q: What kind of yoga do you teach?
I'm registered as a Hatha yoga teacher, however I incorporate several styles into my teaching. I teach alignment coming from Iyengar Yoga and I teach flow coming from Ashtanga Yoga. I also incorporate themes and poses from other yoga that I practice which includes Iyengar, Ashtanga, Hatha and Restorative. Private sessions are always based on the individual's level and goals.
Q: What can I expect from a typical yoga session with you?
It really depends on your level. Typically, we would do a targeted warm-up, standing poses, sun salutations, inversions, seated stretches, a cool-down and restoration. Read an example of an intermediate/advanced sequence I've done here.
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