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Yoga! This is a word I seem to hear and see daily, on the streets, on television, radio, magazines, pop-culture, even on yogurt containers and tea bags. Granted I am a yoga instructor and studio owner so having yoga on the brain 24/7 likely makes me a little more aware of the presence of this word. Sensetive or not, the practice of yoga is blowing up in North America. Studios are popping up in the multitudes of wild rabbits.
The practice of yoga itself is 5000 or so years old. Originating in India, the physical practice of yoga was initially intended to help yogis sit more comfortably for loooong periods of meditation. Nowadays yoga is incredibly diversified and specialized for many many purposes and benefit, we sometimes loose sight of the primary goal of yoga: peace and connection with our inner selves.
To help ease the confusion we've put together some little facts about yoga to help you get started on your yogic journey as well as some tidbits of information about Under the Yoga Tree (UtYt).
Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa yoga is a hybrid of Ashtanga yoga, which is a branch of Hatha yoga. Vinyasa yoga is a choreographed style of yoga that dynamically connects the static poses of yoga through the transition of movement and pranayama (breath). Vinyasa yoga is designed to still the mind, concentrate the breath and invigorate the body, enhancing muscle tone and cardiovascular and mental health. The outcome of Vinysasa class can be euphoric and is almost always profoundly relaxing.
Hot Yoga - We're pretty dang hot :)
We've pumped up the heat! UtYt is now offering a pretty-dang-hot yoga class once a week, with temperatures reaching 36-38 degrees celcius. The movements of hot yoga are slowed with periods of rest. If practiced correctly, with qualified instructors, hot yoga is believed to help speed up the detoxification of the body while adding variety to your yoga schedule. If you're interested in trying hot yoga it is important to know your current state of health as hot yoga can be dangerous if you have heart or blood pressure issues or injuries. Hot yoga is not safe for women who are pregnant.
What is the temperature of UtYt's regular classes?
Our regular classes are nice and toasty too...with average temperatures of 30 degrees celsius; think Fort St. John on a hot summer day while wearing a tank top and shorts. Once you get the room packed with breathing bodies the temperature jumps a notch or two. Warm temperatures in a studio are improtant for keeping your muscles stretchy and safe, but because we mainly teach Vinyasa style yoga at UtYt, there is a lot of dynamic movement that creates heat from within. Making hot hot temperature a little too intense. Plus, we have big beautiful windows in the stude that shine natural and beautiful warmth on your skin, while many hot yoga studios Is
Is yoga a religion?
Because the birth place of yoga was in India, there are often misconceptions that yoga is a religious practice. However, yoga is a philisophical practice that is used to tap into an individuals personal spirituality. Whether you are a devote Catholic or self-procalamed atheist, yoga will help you turn inward to the path of your heart, reaveling joy and freedom of your true self.
What should I wear?
Dress in comfortable clothes that can breath and stretch with you. It's also important to dress in layers, this way you adapt to rising temperatures of the studio and your body.
I'm pregnant, what should I know?
Practicing yoga during your pregancy can be incredibly beneficial, not only for keeping healthy and happy but also for labor. During your pregnancy you should avoid torso twists, prone positions (laying on you belly), inversions (during the 1st trimester). It is not safe to practice hot yoga while pregnant. If you have never done yoga before we recommend you join in on our prenatal yoga classes.
