FAQs

Need to know an answer to the most asked questions.

What if I am not flexible enough/ too old/ too fat/ too thin/ too unfit….to practice yoga?

You can never be too inflexible/ too old/ too fat/ too thin/ too unfit to practise yoga!! Yoga can benefit everyone regardless of age, weight or level of fitness. Yoga is non-competitive. In class you will never be compared to others (and you should never compare yourself to others). Yoga teaches you to work within your body’s limits – your body whatever shape or size is the starting point and you progress from there the more you practice. It is actually better to be inflexible and work on your flexibility. People who have hypermobilty (double jointed) need to be just as careful not to damage joints by overstretching. The main point is to enjoy a yoga class and never feel self-conscious.

Is yoga a religion?

No. People of all backgrounds, cultures and religions practice yoga.
Yoga can be a spiritual practice for some or simply a desire to improve health for others.

Will yoga help me lose weight?

With any exercise, this will depend on how much you practise.
Yoga in general promotes a healthy lifestyle and can be used as one part of a weight loss plan.
Any style of yoga will tone and strengthen the muscles which will help sculpt the body.
It will also increase the range of joint movement, and will correct any problems with posture which may have occurred through weight gain.
More importantly are the physiological benefits which can be gained by practising yoga. Yoga teaches us to be non-judgemental towards ourselves (and others) and helps us to view ourselves positively combating any self-criticism which may have occurred by gaining weight.
Lastly yoga will increase the body’s energy (prana) getting rid of any sluggishness you may be feeling.

Will yoga help me sleep better?

Incorporating yoga into your life may help if you are having problems getting to sleep at night.
The majority of people who practise yoga find that they experience a deeper and more restful night’s sleep after attending a class.
Yoga teaches you how to relax the body and release muscle tension
It also teaches you how to quiet a busy mind by focusing on breathing techniques.

What should I wear to a yoga class and do I need to bring anything with me?

Wear comfortable stretchy clothing. Try to avoid any item of clothing that will restrict your movement. It is a good idea to wear a couple of layers as you may get hot during the class but you need to keep warm during relaxation.
You will need a yoga mat and a blanket to keep yourself warm during the final relaxation.
You may also want to bring a pillow with you for the relaxation but this is optional.
It is also advisable to bring a bottle of water to class.

Is it okay to eat a meal before a yoga class?

It is not advisable to eat a heavy/full meal within 2 hours prior to starting a yoga class.
This is because some yoga postures stimulate the digestive system and will be uncomfortable if the stomach is full. Also some inverted postures where the body is turned upside down are not recommended to be practised on a full stomach as they may result in queasiness!!
If you are the sort of person who needs to eat on a regular basis it is better to have a small light snack about an hour before a class to keep blood sugar levels stabilized.

Will my condition/injury prevent me from practising yoga?

No. Yoga is very adaptable and there are many alternatives to postures which can be implemented to accommodate a students needs.
It is important to make your teacher aware of any conditions/injuries at the start of a class so that they can work with you.
If in doubt it is advisable to consult your GP before trying yoga (or any new exercise)