General Information on Yoga Classes  (top)

People come to yoga for various reasons - to improve their physical health, to relax, to relieve stress, to calm their mind, to feel more peaceful - and others come along just to find out what it is all about. Yoga is concerned with all the above and much more, so whatever your reasons are for coming along they should be fulfilled.

Yoga means 'to unite' and is a way of restoring a healthier balance to body and mind so that you are more able to cope with the stresses and strains of everyday life. By concentrating on the postures one calms down, therefore by stretching the body is relieved of tension and one is ready to relax. The good thing about yoga is that you are never too old or too young to feel the benefits. Vigorous exercise may make a fit and healthy person feel good about their body but it is not suitable for everyone and does not always provide the relaxation which people need. With yoga it doesn't matter how stiff or out of condition you are, as long as you are dedicated and patient. The postures should be done with care and without straining, so by taking your body to its natural limit you will, in time, see an improvement. The postures and sequences of postures have different effects - stimulating, calming, energising, building stamina, concentration, promoting sleep, etc.

Most yoga classes begin by very gently working through the postures which are called asanas, starting with those which are simple and progressing on to those which are more advanced. The asanas are mainly named after nature e.g. tree pose, mountain pose, etc. and therefore have a sense of unity and oneness. They have been translated from Sanskrit. The sessions will include warming up, practising the asanas, breath awareness and deep breathing, and relaxation. Although there is a need to work seriously to feel the benefits that yoga has to offer, there is usually some fun too.

Yoga helps us to become more aware and at ease with our bodies and promotes good health. The postures which are practiced have numerous benefits but I have listed a few;
Learning how to relax
Removing mental strain and tension
Strengthening the entire body
Improving the circulation and breathing
Improving your balance and posture
Releasing muscular tension
Toning muscles Loosening joints
Helping with depression
Reducing fatigue
Creating mental space

So let the world go away for a few hours while you enjoy YOGA

In order that your Yoga practice is as enjoyable as possible please make a note of the following points before you begin.
i) Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy movement, avoiding tight waistbands and belts
ii) It is advisable to remove jewellery as it can be uncomfortable during Yoga practice
iii) It is better to practice Yoga in bare feet, so remove socks and tights before you begin
iv) If you have long hair try to tie it back in a way that will not distract you
v) You may like to remove your contact lenses before you begin
vi) If possible bring a non -slip mat with you or something to lie on. Please also bring a blanket or extra clothing for the relaxation session as the body temperature tends to drop after exercise
vii) It is suggested that you should wait four hours after a heavy meal and two hours after a light meal before practising Yoga. If this is not possible for you a very light snack (biscuit or drink) is all right

There should not be any unnecessary strain or force when practising Yoga. You should feel fairly comfortable and relaxed. A gentle stretch is enough, there should definitely not be any pain. Yoga is not competitive so just work within your body's own capabilities and enjoy the experience. If you are not sure about anything please ask your teacher. (top)