New to Yoga

New To Yoga

Many people want to try out yoga, but don’t know where to begin! 

Many people are worried that walking into a yoga class is like walking into a different world! Is this you, or do you know anyone who could benefit from yoga but is afraid to come to a class?

It’s no secret that the benefits of yoga include stress relief, strength, improved flexibility, increased awareness, and a focused, calm mind, a feeling of connection with self and the world, and an overall feeling of balance in the body, mind, and life.  

If you are brand new to yoga or want to reconnect with the basics, The Absolute Beginner Series is the perfect class for you and it’s always a great time to start! Come and enjoy a supportive and compassionate environment where everyone is a beginner.  We will explore basic postures (asana) to get you moving and breathing techniques (pranayama) to deepen your breath capacity. You will learn yogic terminology, discover meditation practices to quiet the chatter of your mind, release stress, and gain insight into the principles of yoga philosophy. Our intention in the Absolute Beginner Series is to help you develop a lifelong love for yoga. Each week we will explore a new dimension of the practice. Therapeutic alignment, details, and special needs will be addressed as you learn to use props that aid in the practice and modifications of new postures. Props are a great tool to help your body explore this ancient and transformative practice.  Your questions are encouraged and serve to help others in the class gain a deeper understanding. So please don’t be afraid to ask.

The supportive and compassionate environment of this Series taught by our certified instructors will provide you with the necessary foundation to develop a safe and rewarding yoga practice. Walk in a beginner and leave confident to explore the next phase of your practice in our many Level 1 classes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yoga?

It’s important to note that yoga is about much more than exercise and fitness. It has a long and deep history starting in India over 5000 years ago.

Yoga is a discipline that means union. It is the union of physical poses (asana) and breathing techniques (pranayama) that combine to bring the body and mind into harmony. Yoga is a path to that illusive center we are all seeking, it’s a path to inner peace. Most importantly, yoga is a way of life. It is an integrated system of education for the body, mind, and spirit. The physical postures provide the body with a way to build strength and muscle tone, increase flexibility and balance, as well as condition the cardiovascular system. Integrating the breathing techniques with the postures helps to focus the mind as well as generate and move energy through the body. enormous amounts of energy.

Yoga is for every body. Yoga can be practiced by individuals of all ages and fitness levels. It is non-competitive; thereby everyone practices at his or her own pace. At ABSOLUTE YOGA, instructors are particularly mindful of the individual needs and abilities of each student. Yoga is a process, not a goal.

What are the Benefits of Yoga?

  • Releases stress and tension and promotes relaxation
  • Loosens tense and tight muscles, creating long, leans muscles
  • Promotes good posture
  • Improves flexibility and muscle tone
  • Strengthens muscles without bulk
  • Increases concentration and ability to focus
  • Enhances creativity
  • Improves sense of balance in the body and in life
  • Stimulates circulation, internal organs, glands, and the nervous system
  • Boosts the immune system
  • Helps relieve common aches and pains, like back pain
  • Eases arthritis symptoms

How do I prepare for my yoga class? What do I need to bring? What do I wear?

  • We practice barefoot on a sticky mat. Mats are available for sale at the studio, as are other props that we may use. Please remove shoes leaving them in the shoe cubbies before entering the studio rooms.
  • Please silence your cell phone before entering the studio or leave it in your car. Give yourself the gift of time to devote yourself to your practice.
  • Arrive early enough to give yourself time to sign in and have a few minutes before class begins to stretch, meditate or just collect your thoughts. Late arrivals are disruptive to others taking the class. Your final relaxation in a pose called savasana is an important part of your practice. Try not to miss this. If you must leave early, tell the teacher prior to the class’ start and please leave before savasana, so as not to disturb others.
  • For first-time students, you will need to complete and sign a new student Enrollment Form. You can complete this online, setting up a MINDBODY account. Or upon your arrival, the desk staff will provide you with this form. Give yourself enough time before your first class to complete this simple form and acquaint yourself with the studios.
  • Try not to eat a heavy meal for 1-2 hours before class. Drink plenty of water during the day. Staying well-hydrated is essential to maintaining the life force (prana) generated from your yoga practice. However, during class, it is best to refrain from drinking water, as it tends to cool down the inner heat created during your practice. This inner heat helps make your body more flexible and fit.
  • Wear any comfortable clothing you would wear for exercise. To help our instructors see the alignment of your body, try to avoid heavy, bulky clothing. You may want to wear a fitted top, which will not fly up during forward and backbends.
  • Please inform your instructor about any injuries or conditions that might affect your practice, or if you are pregnant. Also please inform your instructor if you are new to yoga.
  • Yoga is for every body. It can be practiced by individuals of all ages and fitness levels. It is non-competitive. Always practice at your own level. Bring your attention inward and avoid looking at what your neighbor is doing. Also, avoid straining or over-stretching and rest when needed. You’ll enjoy your yoga practice more if you take a loving attitude toward yourself and work from where you are, not from where you think you should be.
  • Look and Listen: When you’re first learning the poses, you may want to look around the room to see what everyone else is doing, but it is important to look to the teacher for your primary instruction. Also, listen for verbal cues as the instructor describes how to do each pose. Often the instructor will demonstrate the poses as well.
  • Do take time afterward to think about what you did in class, so you can retain what you learned. Review the postures you practiced and note any instructions that particularly made sense. Even if you remember just one thing from each class, you’ll soon have a lot of information that can deepen your own personal practice.

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