Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yoga?

What is commonly referred to as “yoga” in the West can be more accurately described by the Sanskrit term “asana.” Asana refers to the physical poses or exercises that are the basis of most yoga classes in the Western world. Asana is only one of the eight “limbs” or parts of yoga, the majority of which are more concerned with mental and spiritual well-being than with physical activity. Today, however, the majority of yoga classes in Western countries focus on the physical postures and exercises, and on breathing techniques, also known as pranayama. The purpose of the physical postures in most yoga classes today is to improve strength, flexibility and endurance and to develop a balance of these strength and flexibility throughout the body. Specific breathing techniques used in yoga classes help improve both physical and mental health. Students learn how to breathe properly and use the full capacity of their lungs, while they also learn how to use their breath to relieve stress and tension.

This site focuses on the physical and mental health benefits of yoga through specific exercises, postures and breathing techniques that are based on modern exercise science and anatomy. This site does not focus on the spiritual aspects of yoga.  To learn more about the benefits of specific yoga exercises, visit our Yoga Solutions.

What does the word yoga mean?
The word “yoga” means “union” in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India where yoga originated over 5000 years ago. That “union” usually refers to the union of mind, body and spirit that can occur through yoga practice.

What are some of the different types of yoga?

Hatha Hatha is a very general term that can encompass many of the physical types of yoga. If a class is described as hatha, it’s probably going to be a basic class that provides a good introduction to the classic yoga postures.

Vinyasa Vinyasa is also a general term, but means flow. In vinyasa style yoga, breath is connected to movement and each posture flows from one into another. Sun salutations are usually included near the beginning of a vinyasa style class to warm up the body for the strengthening poses and the stretching poses done later.

Ashtanga  Ashtanga (sometimes referred to as Power Yoga) is a high energy, highly dynamic form of yoga that requires a great deal of strength and stamina.  There is a constant flow of movement in order to keep the body and muscles heated.  Like Vinyasa yoga, students flow from one movement to another, however Ashtanga typically has a faster flow and focuses more on strength developing postures.

Iyengar Based on the teachings of BKS Iyengar, this style of practice is most concerned with bodily alignment. In yoga, the term alignment describes the precise way in which your body should be positioned during each pose in order to gain maximum benefit from the pose and avoid injury. For example, in a standing forward fold, your feet should be parallel (not turned out), so that your quadriceps muscles in the front of your thighs are more engaged and working. Iyengar practice usually emphasizes holding poses longer rather than flowing from one pose to the next (vinyasa), and encourages the use of props (blocks, straps) to help bring the body into alignment.

Kundalini The emphasis in Kundalini is on the breath in conjunction with physical movement, with the purpose of freeing energy in the lower body and allowing it to move upwards towards the head. Chanting and more in depth use of breathing techniques is often found in a Kundalini yoga class.

Bikram/Hot Yoga Bikram yoga was started by Bikram Choudhury. It is a set series of 26 poses practiced in a room at 95-104 degrees to help loosen tight muscles and induce heavy sweating, which is thought to be cleansing. The more general style of Hot Yoga is also practiced in a heated room, but does not necessarily use the prescribed 26 set postures. Due to the heat of the room, this type of yoga is not usually suitable for children or elderly people.

Mix  Some yoga teachers mix in different styles within one class (i.e. beginning class in an Ashtanga style to heat up the body, then focusing on the more precise form of Iyengar during specific postures). 

What type of yoga do you teach?

It depends on the class. I teach hatha yoga to adults of all ages and physical abilities. I teach power yoga classes to my athletic students who want a more intense workout. I also teach classes for kids and pregnant women. On this site, I’m thrilled to be able to provide classes that meet more specific needs, such as yoga for back tension, fatigue, stress, pregnancy, or to improve strength or flexibility.

A few things remain constant in my teaching regardless of the class: 1) the use of exercise science principles and anatomy of movement principles to safely bring the greatest physical benefits to my students, while avoiding any injury; 2) the use of breathing techniques and connecting breath with movement, while creating yoga sequences that allow one pose to flow into another; 3) explaining proper alignment in each pose to increase the benefit and prevent injury; 4) providing well-rounded classes which focus on bringing a balance of strength and flexibility to all major muscle groups; and 5) making yoga class a fun place where everyone is welcome.

I like to see my students laugh and not take themselves too seriously. Yoga should be fun and I’ll do everything I can to help you have a great time!

I don’t teach chanting or focus on the spiritual aspects of yoga in any of my classes, in person or on this site. It’s just not my style. My focus is on making the physical and mental benefits of yoga accessible and comfortable for everyone to try (including those who find chanting strange). If you simply want to learn how to bring more balance, strength, flexibility and vitality to your body, while gaining peace of mind and more ability to concentrate, you have come to the right place. To learn more about my style view a free yoga video demonstration.

Is there a special way to breathe during yoga practice?

Yes. In fact there are many different types of breathing techniques used to achieve different results, but you can start with a simple breathing technique to use throughout your practice. It goes like this: 1) Do your best to breathe through your nose (rather than mouth). This helps slow your breathing rate, keeps your body warmer and filters the air before it enters your lungs. 2) Relax your belly slightly and, as you inhale, allow your belly to gently expand (without pushing it out). As you exhale, let your belly relax back towards your spine. Keeping your belly soft allows you to breathe into the lower part of your lungs where oxygen exchange is more efficient. Breathing this way also helps relax your muscles and slow your breathing rate. 3) Keep at least part of your focus on your breath throughout your practice. This allows your mind to have a break from it usual activities of analyzing and judging and keeps some of your focus inward, so you are less distracted by what is happening around you.

Is yoga a religion?

No. Many different schools of yoga exist. All types of yoga can help you gain mental clarity, patience and peace of mind, which may be helpful to you in any religious or spiritual path you choose. Some schools of yoga focus more directly on spirituality and finding a way to enlightenment. However, since I have yet to reach enlightenment myself, and since that is a very personal and individual journey, this site focuses on simply the mental and physical health benefits of yoga based on exercise science principles.

What makes hatha yoga a good form of exercise?

Hatha yoga is a great form of exercise because, when sequenced properly, it stretches and strengthens all major muscle groups. Some forms of exercise consist of only a few specific movements done repetitively (such as running or bike riding). While these forms of exercise have many benefits, they only work specific muscle groups while ignoring the opposing muscles and other muscle groups. This can lead to a lack of balance in muscular strength and flexibility throughout the body, leading to more strain in the body as certain areas compensate for weaker or less flexible areas. A complete yoga program will create more muscular balance. Yoga also builds endurance and, if done right, can provide a cardio workout, thereby focusing on all three components necessary for good physical health: 1) strength, 2) flexibility; 3) endurance.

Besides these benefits, yoga also improves balance and coordination. Mentally, it can improve focus, concentration and relieve stress. What makes yoga exercise different from other Western forms of exercise is that the exercises are done mindfully. Students are asked to focus on their movements and on their breath during their practice, which helps release the mind from worries or other thoughts, giving it a break and helping to relieve mental stress. Click here to learn more about the benefits of yoga.

Do I have to be flexible to do yoga and why is it important to become more flexible?

You don’t have to be flexible to start yoga. In yoga, most everything can be modified to meet an individual’s needs. For example, in a standing forward bend, if your fingers don’t comfortably reach the floor, bend your knees until they do. Bending your knees will take the strain out of your low back and you can gradually begin to straighten your knees as you gain more flexibility. What’s most important is to listen to your own body and stop where you feel challenged, but not overwhelmed or any pain.

Lack of flexibility is a great reason to start a yoga practice. Stiff muscles deprive the body of optimum health by: · Inhibiting movement of joints · Prohibiting the full contraction of the opposing muscles · Misaligning the body · Decreasing body efficiency · Increasing the possibility of injury

Go to our Yoga Solutions area to learn more about specific exercises to help increase flexibility.