Widespread Yoga Questions Answered | DoYogaWithMe

If you happen to’re new to yoga, you could be questioning what precisely it’s, and if it’ll be just right for you. You might have heard about the advantages of practising yoga, however don’t know the place to begin. 

In right now’s world, social media and commercials typically form the unacquainted’s concepts about what physique sorts, pores and skin color, attire, and adaptability ranges are ‘required’ to follow yoga. A lot of these pictures cannot solely deter folks from attending yoga courses but additionally be flat-out elitist. So let’s label these pictures and concepts as they’re: mannequin picture shoots meant to promote materials merchandise in a world that isn’t but represented equally. They aren’t true representations of who can and may profit from practising yoga. 

As we proceed, attempt to place these pictures out of your thoughts as we get into what yoga ACTUALLY is and what it may well do for you. Under I’ll reply your most typical yoga questions! 

Why ought to I follow yoga?

I consider that everybody involves the mat for the primary time for their very own causes. Listed here are a number of scientifically confirmed advantages which may provide help to along with your resolution:

• Improved flexibility, stability and energy
• Stress reduction
• Higher sleep
• Elevated immune operate
• Improved cardiovascular functioning and bone well being
• Higher posture and physique consciousness
• Lowered nervousness
• Weight reduction (extra on this matter under)
• Total enchancment of psychological well being and high quality of life

Personally, yoga helped me remodel from an rigid, anxious, overthinking workaholic right into a calmer, happier and extra productive one that likes to take breaks and revel within the little joys of life! It didn’t occur in a single day, however wow! What a distinction. 

Will I be capable of do it if I’m not versatile?

Sure! Let me say it once more: You do not want to be versatile to follow yoga!

The follow of yoga is multi-faceted. Total, its function is that will help you join with your self, enhance your psychological, bodily, and emotional well being, and discover a deeper connection along with your neighborhood and a that means for all times. For instance, breathwork, meditation, visualization, mantras and vocal firming, in addition to practices resembling non-attachment, non-harm (to self or others), and truthfulness will be extremely efficient, and none of them require critical bodily flexibility. 

Nevertheless, in the event you select to undertake a bodily follow, know that you do not essentially must decide to a demanding routine. Scientific research have proven that only one asana (bodily posture) follow per week can enhance your muscular flexibility over time. Two or three practices per week may have you seeing features even quicker! 

What ought to I put on?

Opposite to what yoga attire firms would really like you to consider, yoga will be practiced in something!

In case your yoga class requires motion, you may be most snug sporting stretchy garments or exercise gear. What makes your physique really feel one of the best actually will depend on you and the category you’re attending. For a high-intensity class, put on shorts and a tank prime. For a restorative class, put on a few layers on prime and hotter bottoms. I personally wish to put on layers in order that if my physique temperature fluctuates throughout my follow, I can accommodate for it. Blankets are nice too! Simply keep in mind that sporting modern yoga outfits doesn’t make you a greater yogi.

The place can I purchase a yoga mat?

As of late, yoga mats are ubiquitous. You’ll discover them at drug shops, some grocery shops, yoga studios, gyms, well being and wellness shops, all over the place on-line, and at thrift shops. In case you have the means, I like to recommend searching for one that’s eco-friendly or fabricated from recyclable, non-toxic supplies. We did loads of analysis on this space – try our weblog articles The 14 Greatest Eco-Pleasant Mats of 2022 and Be Good to the Planet – The Environmental Impression of Yoga mats. If you happen to’re training on a tough ground and have normal physique aches and pains, I’d additionally suggest discovering a thicker mat to cushion your physique. If you happen to journey so much, you might have considered trying a mat that is skinny and lightweight, like these in our article High 6 Journey Yoga Mats for Yogis on the Go.

What are the totally different types?

As of late, new ‘types’ of yoga are popping up at each flip. Yoga has advanced over centuries from lecturers and gurus including their very own private flairs and beliefs. That is nothing new. Some strategies have caught round, and a few are fads, and simply that. 

Notably nevertheless, yoga within the Western world is now nearly completely a bodily follow (asana). Historically, yoga closely centered on elements like meditation, breathwork, self-improvement and the amelioration of neighborhood. Right now you could find a few of these types beneath the names of ‘kriya,’ ‘raja,’ and ‘karma’ yoga. The remaining fall beneath the bodily follow class:

• Hatha Yoga is the oldest kind or ‘model’ of bodily follow in yoga. Right now this model entails held asanas (poses) and is usually an incredible follow for freshmen. You’ll be taught the poses and a few of the different elements of yoga follow resembling philosophy, breathwork, and meditation. 
• Ashtanga Yoga is a regimented follow involving a sequence of bodily demanding postures. It’s typically higher suited to extra skilled practitioners, because it requires data of the set of asanas. 
• Vinyasa Yoga, usually known as Energy Yoga, stems from the Ashtanga follow however is extra accessible and free flowing than its predecessor. Vinyasa means ‘to put in a particular manner’ in Sanskrit and refers back to the stream of postures all through the category. Right now it’s typically thought of essentially the most ‘athletic’ type of yoga.
• Kundalini Yoga varies from most of the different postural yoga practices in that Kundalini actions are usually fast-moving, pulse-like ones that create a religious connection to the bodily physique. These courses usually contain a number of breathwork, chanting, mantra, and motion meditation. Kundalini is nice for eliciting change on a mobile stage. 
• Yin Yoga is yoga of the connective tissues. Longer held postures (typically 2-10 minutes) assist take your stretching to the following stage. With these held poses, not solely will you stretch muscle tissues however your entire connective tissues resembling fascia, ligaments and tendons too. This follow can at instances really feel enjoyable, and at different instances intense. It teaches you to hear intently to your physique and to stick with the sensations (by no means ache) of your physique opening and releasing. 
• Restorative Yoga is the follow of resting and enjoyable. It’s a wonderful follow that will help you unwind, heal damage, and enhance sleep high quality. Restorative poses (held 5-15 min) normally contain props like bolsters, blankets, blocks and pillows to get your physique into essentially the most snug place doable. 
• Mild Yoga is usually a follow that includes hatha, yin and restorative yoga, in addition to gentler actions. It’s a wonderful follow for these with damage, aches and pains, or typically low power. You received’t discover vigorous asana flows right here. 
• Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga is a follow for the child-bearing physique. Asanas, breathwork, and meditations are geared towards making a secure area for each the birther and child whereas getting ready for beginning or recovering from it afterward. 
• Jivamukti Yoga is a vinyasa model follow (flowy, vigorous) with a deal with 5 tenets to attach spiritually and ethically in a single’s relationship to the earth. It may be a difficult follow for freshmen, however extraordinarily rewarding too. 

As I discussed earlier than, the yoga model record goes on and on from right here. Many types have self-descriptors that make it straightforward to decipher what they’re about, just like the ‘Mild Yoga’ above, or ‘Plus Dimension’ and ‘Mother and Child’ yoga which you’ll discover on this web site.

With all of the distinctive lecturers and courses on the market, you’re certain to seek out ones that resonate with you. If you happen to strive a category and don’t prefer it, merely transfer on to the following! 

Is yoga spiritual?

Worldwide, yoga is practised by folks of all faiths and walks of life. The fantastic thing about yoga is that whereas it developed alongside Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism (out of India), the follow itself is designed to assist anybody of their self-development and/or connection to the next energy – if that individual so needs. 

Yoga will not be a follow of secular faith comprised of set rituals or a compulsory view of the world like in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. As a substitute, yoga permits an individual to help their very own beliefs whereas practising. 

Particularly, fashionable yoga right now is closely asana (posture)-based. In different phrases, it’s a really bodily follow comparable with train and stretching. With the addition of meditation and breathwork workouts, yoga helps to calm and heal the physique, whereas coaching the thoughts to fulfill one’s objectives. 

Some folks could discover that yogic chanting or using hand gestures don’t really feel snug for them. Many yoga courses right now don’t incorporate these parts, and due to the flexibleness of yoga, college students are welcome to have interaction in no matter class parts really feel most aligned with their particular person beliefs. If you happen to discover a sure model of sophistication doesn’t resonate with you, simply strive one other instructor or one other model.

In the end, an individual’s intention – what’s of their coronary heart – actually units the tone for his or her follow. Because of this, you might discover that yoga enhances your personal spiritual expertise, or you might discover that it influences you in different non-religious methods. Yoga is solely a instrument that will help you by yourself path.

Do I must memorize the names of poses?

No! Over time you might turn into extra aware of a lot of them, like Warrior II and Downward Canine, however you’ll additionally uncover that important overlap happens with totally different types of yoga as to what poses have what names in English. There are Sanskrit phrases for most of the extra conventional yoga poses, however any good instructor will safely information you out and in of poses with descriptions and examples to make it straightforward to observe alongside. If you happen to do encounter the uncommon instructor who solely makes use of the names of the poses with no further descriptions, simply skip alongside to a different class (until you actually like it!). Don’t let the unfamiliar names deter you! 

What if I’ve by no means performed meditation earlier than?

Wonderful! Many individuals have by no means sat for a meditation earlier than their first yoga class (and never all lecturers or courses incorporate a seated meditation). I definitely by no means did till I got here to the mat at 19 years of age. So welcome! 

Likelihood is, you’ve truly been in a ‘meditative state’ earlier than however simply didn’t understand it. Usually, we’ll name that state a ‘stream state’ – once you’re completely engrossed in an exercise that you simply love, and also you don’t discover time passing and even your environment. This is only one of MANY types of meditation.

Like something, follow makes progress. If ‘clearing your thoughts’ appears not possible to you, please know that over time you can begin to seek out a little bit extra space between your ideas – one follow at a time. Some days will likely be higher than others. In the end, the aim of meditation is to not have zero ideas in any respect. It’s about with the ability to establish them once they cross your thoughts and allow them to go on their manner with out changing into all consumed by your private tales.

A smart instructor of mine as soon as mentioned, “You may’t consider every little thing you suppose.” So, take a breath, shut your eyes, and only for a second or two, follow respiratory and following alongside along with your instructor’s steering. You’ll discover the model of meditation that works for you. Very quickly you’ll in all probability be working as much as 20 minutes or extra! 

Is on-line yoga secure?

On-line yoga is secure so long as you’re listening to your physique and the way it’s reacting once you’re doing a category. As a beginning place, persist with actions inside your regular vary of operate, whether or not that’s round the home, on the gymnasium, or out and about. Observe your care supplier’s recommendation so far as limitations–particularly in the event you’re in restoration. Most of the mild and hatha yoga courses may have loads of supportive choices for you when you’re studying. 

Yoga may also help you’re employed towards your private objectives and normal improved well being–bodily, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. If you happen to endure from PTSD or every other psychological issues that may very well be triggered by deeper self-work, please take care and instantly search assist in the event you’re discovering your self in a spot that’s insufferable. 

Usually, nevertheless, you’ll discover that an internet yoga follow is a tremendous addition to your life. It’s straightforward and transportable, and so long as you observe the mantra ‘No ache, no ache!’ you’ll reap the advantages. 

How ought to I method doing yoga?

Retaining an open thoughts is your greatest guess when beginning your yoga follow. There will likely be instances once you may really feel pissed off at your self or your lecturers as a result of studying one thing new will be troublesome, and long-lasting adjustments don’t occur in a single day.

As a rule, attempting to ‘drive’ flexibility simply doesn’t work. Your physique will react by seizing up and received’t permit your muscle tissues and connective tissue to unwind. It took years in your physique and thoughts to turn into how they’re now. If you happen to’re searching for adjustments, suppose sluggish and regular. Preserve coming again to the mat, and over time you’ll discover your self evolve. 

Taking a second to think about your motivation or objectives earlier than you begin a follow may also be helpful in the event you’re trying to have interaction in an everyday follow. On this manner you’ll set a that means, or cause for practising that may provide help to make it again to your mat on days when you’re feeling discouraged. 

Is yoga health?

Historically, no. Yoga is a multifaceted manner of approaching life, with one side of it being bodily motion (asana follow). 

Right now, most gyms and lots of fashionable yoga studios distill yoga into a really bodily follow that may very well be thought of health. Definitely, your personal yoga follow is usually a private type of health, in order for you it to be. Usually, nevertheless, even a powerful vinyasa class can’t substitute different types of health resembling cardiovascular coaching and heavy weight lifting. If you happen to’re utilizing yoga as health, I encourage you to include different strategies of coaching for a well-rounded method to bodily well being. 

Can yoga assist me drop some pounds?

Quick reply: Sure. 

There are such a lot of nuanced elements concerned in weight reduction, so each scenario is totally different. Yoga can definitely be a ‘exercise’ for some, relying on the model you select. This can be sufficient for some individuals who want to use yoga to drop some pounds. Extra importantly nevertheless, yoga can present a wonderful avenue for stress and nervousness reduction, in addition to an opportunity to domesticate bodily consciousness, inner stability, self-love, and general contentment. Relying in your distinctive circumstances, these adjustments can translate into weight reduction, into a spot of consolation in your personal pores and skin and/or into self-confidence. Generally it means taking a deeper look into why you may wish to drop some pounds within the first place, and the way yoga may also help you with that.

I sincerely hope that this weblog has piqued your curiosity concerning the follow of yoga and clarified any misperceptions you’ll have had. If you happen to nonetheless have extra questions, please don’t hesitate to succeed in out to our expansive workforce. We love sharing our ardour!