What is Yoga?
Yoga literally means union. Yoga was developed in India thousands of years ago by people who were exploring how to feel more “unified” or connected in their lives. They discovered that by doing various activities, such as prayer, physical exercise, meditation, serving others, or studying spiritual teachings, that they would tend to feel more united with or connected to themselves, others, nature, spirit, and God. They called these activities or practices “yoga.”
Hatha yoga is the yoga of movement and breathing. I would estimate that 99% of all the yoga classes offered in the United States are hatha yoga classes, which are offered in many different styles. Styles can differ in how physically challenging they are and whether they place more emphasis on the form of each yoga stretch or on the practice of non-judgmental awareness as you stretch. Hatha yoga classes offered in Sarasota, in approximate order starting with the most physically challenging, include Bikram, Ashtanga, Power, Iyengar, Kripalu, Sivananda, Integral, and Kundalini.
The benefits of any hatha yoga class include increased balance, strength, coordination, relaxation, flexibility, range of motion, and the experience of being present.
How Do I Prepare for Yoga Class?
Wear loose fitting, casual, comfortable clothes–any clothes that you feel comfortable moving in, such as shorts or sweat pants. Yoga is generally practiced with bare feet, however if you have a strong aversion to taking off your socks, most instructors will not mind.
If it is cold outside or you suspect it may be cool in the yoga room, it is good to wear layers of clothing and bring socks. During the initial part of class, your body may feel cool. Once you begin yoga postures, you may feel warmer and want to remove outer clothes. At the end of class during relaxation, the body will tend to cool down, and you may want to cover-up again.
Even if yoga mats are provided, for sanitary reasons I recommend you bring your own towel to cover the mat or your own mat. You should check with the instructor about which type of yoga mat is best for the style of yoga she or he is teaching. Yoga can be practiced on a carpeted, wood, or hard floor. Certain styles of yoga are better suited to certain floor types.
Come to class hydrated and/or bring a water bottle with you. Do not come to class with a full stomach. However, if your body exercises best after some recent intake of calories, it is fine to have a light snack before class.
Try to arrive at least five minutes early for your class. Find an open space in the room and put down your mat or towel. Unless you have questions for the instructor, sit or lie down quietly as you wait for the class to begin.
What Happens in a Yoga Class?
A yoga class generally lasts one to one-and-a-half hours and consists of the following in this order:
1. Opening, centering and meditation led by the instructor. You don’t have to know how to do anything – you just need to follow along.
2. Yogic Breathing (Pranyama) Just as there are beginners and advanced yoga postures, there are beginners and advanced yogic breathing techniques. Not all yoga classes feature yogic breathing. If yours does, the instructor will teach and demonstrate the breath.
3. Warm-ups These can be done seated or standing. The purpose of the warm-ups is to raise your temperature and loosen your muscles so that the body is more prepared for the yoga stretches. Yoga warm-ups are similar to warm-ups you might do before any type of exercise.
4. Yoga postures (asanas) This is the longest part of the class. Yoga postures are done on your back, on your belly, seated, and standing. Many yoga postures look like stretches with which you may be familiar. Other postures may be totally new. You do not need to be flexible to do most of the standard postures – doing yoga will help to increase your flexibility.
5. Meditation and/or Relaxation Again you do not need to know how to do anything. The instructor will lead you. Relaxation is done lying flat on your back. The key is to let go as much as you can.
You now know some basic information that I hope will make you feel more comfortable and secure as you begin your yoga journey. I hope you have a fun, safe, relaxing, and powerful trip.
Gary Halperin is a certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher and Meditation Teacher and has been teaching yoga and meditation since 1994. He is the author of Feel Better Now…Meditation for Stress Reduction & Relaxation.
