Experiment. Try something new. Maybe you won't
like it.  Maybe you will. Maybe you'll make a
mistake. But maybe you will like it, and maybe
you'll discover something you love.
What is Yoga?

Yoga is an ancient system of living. It is an art, a science and a philosophy. Yoga is about the celebration
of life and being fully present in the here and now.  The word yoga has many meanings: to yoke, union or balance.

The physical practice of yoga is called Hatha Yoga: Ha meaning (sun), tha meaning (moon).  To practice
yoga, one joins or balances polarities:  male and female, yin and yang, hard and soft, strength and flexibility.  
Hatha Yoga is the practice of postures(asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation.

Learning how to breath deeply, stretch and strengthen the body and focus the mind comprise the heart and soul of Hatha
Yoga.  The practice of the postures allows one to have greater awareness of one's body and mind. With this awareness, one
can begin to transform blocks and limitations, whether they are mental, emotional, or physical.

Hatha Yoga leads to greater-understanding and a sense of freedom and openness. One begins to feel less stressed and more
at ease with the process of living in these modern times. Yoga is ultimately a path to self-realization and leads the practitioner to
realize his or her unlimited potential.

Benefits of Hatha Yoga
-Increased bone density
- Increased muscular strength, endurance and flexibility
-Proper body alignment
-Increased digestion and elimination
-Increased focus, balance and concentration
-Greater muscular skeletal range of motion, less risk of injury in athletic or recreational activities.

Reasons For The Heat   

1. Capillaries that weave around the muscles respond to the heat by dilation.  This brings more oxygen to the muscles and helps
in the removal of waste products such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid.

2. Allows oxygen in the blood to detach from the hemoglobin more easily.  When blood passes through warm muscles, oxygen
releases more easily from the hemoglobin.  Blood passing through cold muscles releases less oxygen.  

3. Speeds up the breakdown of glucose and fatty acids.

4. Makes muscles more elastic, less susceptible to injury.

5. Improves coordination.

6. Reduces heart irregularities associated with sudden exercise.

7. Burns fat more easily.  Warmed muscles burn fat more easily than cold ones.  Fat is released during stress.  The stress of
intense exercise causes a deluge of fatty acids into the blood stream.  If you exercise with cold muscles, they can't use the fatty
acids, and they end up in places they are not wanted such as in the lining of your arteries.  

Do You offer the 1st Class Free?
We do not offer the 1st class for free.  However, we do have a $5 class on Fridays at 6:00pm and we do offer a free class to all
when teachers in training are ready to practice teach.  Please keep a  check on the schedule for the teachers in training class
listing.

Is Yoga a Religion?

Some Westerners who are practicing Christians or Jews are concerned about Yoga being an Eastern religion. They fear by
taking up the practice of Yoga, they might undermine their own religious faith. Instead of undermining their personal faith, Yoga
can actually deepen it. You need not believe in anything other than the possibility that you can transform yourself: that you can
go beyond your present understanding and experience of the world and, more significantly, beyond your current egocentric
state of being. Yoga seeks to put you in touch with your spiritual core- your inner most nature-that which or who you truly are.

What are the other types of Yoga?

Raja-Yoga is the "Royal Yoga" aiming at liberation through meditation.
Jana-Yoga is the "Wisdom of Yoga" aiming at liberation through the study of scripture and observation
of one’s self.
Karma-Yoga is the "Action Yoga" aiming at liberation through practicing selfless service.
Bhakti-Yoga is the "Devotional Yoga" aiming at liberation through self-surrender in the face of the Divine.
Tantra-Yoga is the "Continuity Yoga" aiming at liberation through ritual, visualization, and subtle energy work.
Manta-Yoga is the "Yoga of Sound" aiming at liberation through the recitation (aloud or mental) of empowered sounds (om,
hum, ram, hare Krishna, etc.).

I've never done yoga before which class would you recommend?
Beginners Hot Yoga on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays or
Friday $5 Slow Flow Yoga (yes it's only $5 for this class).

Can I drop-in or do I have to pre-register for class?
You are welcome to drop-in on any of the regularly scheduled classes.  Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins so you
can sign-in.  No you do not have to pre-register for a class unless it is a one day workshop or a series.

Do I need to bring a mat?
You may rent one of the studio mats for $2. However, we recommend that you have your own yoga mat.  For Hot Yoga  we like
to place a cloth mat from www.yogitoes.com over our rubber mat. We love the Jade Harmony Mat for any style of yoga or Pilates
which can be purchased at Balance.

What should I wear to class?
For Hot Yoga wear something you can sweat in that conforms to the body but does not bind in the waist.  For all other classes
wear something you can move in that you will not have to constantly be worried about keeping in place.  I've tried everything and
stick to Danskin tights and tank tops.  Or visit  www.lululemon.com for cute tops and pants.