Beginner Yogi FAQ's

1. What Yoga Style Should I Practice?

There are many forms of yoga. Choosing a style that best suits your interests will depend on many factors: age, current level and type of other activity/exercise, temperature preference, fitness goals, and your temperament.

Some yoga is fast-paced, while other forms are slow. Some yoga practices are meditative, some restorative.

Experiment with different styles of classes. You may be surprised by how different they can be. I recommend practicing a few different types of yoga every week. This way you end up with a well rounded practice.

2. How Do I Find A Good Yoga Teacher?

Finding a good teacher is important. This holds especially true if you are just beginning to practice yoga. Ask around among family and friends who practice yoga. A good teacher will deliver clear instructions. They will prioritize student safety and make adjustments for students as needed. They should make you feel welcome and comfortable.

3. Can I Eat Before Yoga Practice?

It is best to wait an hour after eating before practicing yoga, but a small snack before your class is perfectly alright. Observe your body to learn how much time you need to digest your food before practice.

4. Can I Learn Yoga Online?

When you start to begin your yoga practice, finding a good teacher will help you avoid mistakes and keep you safe. Live online yoga classes are perfectly suited to learning yoga online and are able to make you part of a supportive community. The teacher can see you and suggest modifications and verbal adjustments just as she would in an in person class.

5. Do I have to be flexible to practice yoga?

The simple answer is no. If you are not flexible, yoga is a great way to become more flexible.

6. Can I Practice Yoga If I Am Overweight?

Yes, you can practice yoga at any weight, size, and fitness level. A good yoga teacher can help you adjust poses and positions to accommodate your body type and shape.

7. Can Yoga Help Me Lose Weight?

Yes, yoga can help you lose weight. The gentle postures coupled with mindful breathing help to detoxify the body, cleanse the digestive tract, and decrease anxiety and stress. Stress is one of the biggest culprits behind weight gain. Yoga can help reduce your stress as well as provide a gentle form of exercise that can strengthen the body and tone your muscles.

8. Will Yoga Conflict With My Religion?

Yoga does not conflict with religion. Yoga is a mind and body practice. Yoga typically combines physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation and focusing practices of mindfulness and relaxation.

9. Will Yoga Help Me Connect With My Chosen Form Of Spirituality?

It could. Yoga practices help you to relax and focus on what matters most to you. The best time to discover and deepen your spirituality is when you are calm and centered.

10. Do I Have To Wear Black Yoga Pants?

Absolutely not! Black yoga pants might have been popular a few years ago, but that doesn’t mean it’s what you have to wear to your yoga practice. Practice in what feels most comfortable to you – whether it be leggings, sweatpants, even jeans! I once had a very elegant French lady attend a class in a beautiful summer dress. Underneath her dress she had shorts and a sports bra and when the class got very warm she just whipped the dress off. Do what feels good.

11. How Many Times A Week Do I Have To Practice?

It is good to practice once a day, even if it’s just for 5 minutes in the morning when you first roll out of bed. Feel free to take up a yoga class as often as you’d like, whether it’s once a week, or once every day. But remember – you can practice yoga anywhere. Practicing in your living room is no less beneficial than taking a class!

12. Is Practicing Yoga Time-Consuming?

Regularity is key. Know that even practicing just once a week will give you the benefits of the practice. If time is an issue, don’t shy away. Do what you can.

13. Is Yoga Strenuous? What If I Am Out Of Shape?

Some modern yoga classes are very strenuous. Others are relaxing and gentle. As a beginner, seek some lower-key yoga classes designed for those new to yoga. Once you feel more confident, you can begin branching out and finding the style of yoga that’s just right for you and your body. Our Yin classes and Gentle Flow is perfect for beginners.

14. Do I Have To Meditate To Do Yoga?

Some yoga classes and styles do not include a meditative practice. Some do. You can ask the yoga teacher before attending a class if meditation is included in the class. All our classes end with a breathing practice followed by a five minute savasana.

Are you new to yoga? What question do you have about yoga that wasn’t answered above? Ask me in the comments below!