FAQs

Yes, but this is not recommended. Although the DVDs and book illustrations on yoga seem pretty obvious, it is strongly recommended to learn the asanas under the guidance of a teacher. The postures may cause serious damage to the body if performed incorrectly. One must be aware of one's body's signals in attempting the posture. If the posture is difficult, it should not be forced.

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.

You can benefit from as little as 60 minutes of practice a week. Practicing 2 to 3 times a week for 45 minutes to an hour is a good goal to work towards. Another alternative is to practice 15 minutes every day. The more you practice, the greater the benefit.  In the beginning, try to do it three times a week, each session lasting for about 45 minutes. After some practice, increase it to five times a week, for an hour each time.

The best place to start is by taking a class taught by an experienced Yoga instructor. Ask your friends and family for recommendations. It’s important that you feel comfortable with an instructor.

We recommend three basic items to practice yoga: yoga mat, water bottle, and a towel. If you don't have a yoga mat, just let us know before your session.

We recommend wearing something similar to what you would wear to the gym like comfortable, basic athletic gear. We practice barefoot to honor the sanctity of the yoga space.

We recommend that you avoid eating for at least two hours prior to attending a class. A light snack of fruit or nuts would be fine. Coming to class well hydrated is very important so be sure to drink lots of water prior to the start of class.

There are several different styles of Yoga, including Hatha, Iyengar, and Astanga, and each has a slightly different emphasis. Hatha Yoga, the style most commonly taught in the West, includes stretching and breathing exercises, poses, and meditation or relaxation techniques. Most Yoga classes focus on a few dozen Hatha poses – often borrowing from other styles as well. Iyengar Yoga is more vigorous and intense, with poses that develop strength and aim for precise alignment of the spine and limbs. And Astanga, or “Power Yoga,” incorporates poses from Hatha and other styles but is far more dynamic. Each pose is choreographed into a flowing sequence of moves that will definitely get your heart and muscles going. In fact, Astanga not only limbers you up but also provides a full-blown aerobic workout.

Dozens of scientific trials of varying quality have been published on yoga.

While there's scope for more rigorous studies on its health benefits, most studies suggest yoga is a safe and effective way to increase physical activity, especially strength, flexibility and balance.

There's some evidence that regular yoga practice is beneficial for people with high blood pressure, heart disease, aches and pains – including lower back pain – depression and stress.

Definitely not. People often start yoga in their 70s, and many say they wish they had started sooner. There are yoga classes for every age group. Yoga is a form of exercise that can be enjoyed at any time, from childhood to your advanced years.

No. You can join a class suitable for your fitness level. For example, to join a mixed-ability yoga class, you need to be able to get up and down from the floor. Some yoga classes are chair-based.

Yoga-related injuries are uncommon. Some injuries can be caused by repetitive strain or overstretching.  But yoga is the same as any other exercise discipline – it's perfectly safe if taught properly by people who understand it and have experience. It's advisable to learn from a qualified yoga teacher and choose a class appropriate to your level.

Yoga is just like any other exercise, be it cycling or swimming. Having good alignment keeps your joints in their proper positions. This produces optimal muscle performance which translates to power. In addition, it helps prevent your spine, joints, and muscles from getting into awkward angles and positions

8 life skills to develop through Yoga

Self-care skills. Yoga poses and activities give young children a better awareness of their own bodies and how they move. ...

Self-regulation skills. ...

Relaxation skills. ...

Imagination & creativity. ...

Communication & confidence. ...

Persistence. ...

Teamwork. ...

Resilience & ability to deal with change.

There are three basic elements in yoga: Asanas, Pranayama and Concentration

Asanas are poses which exercise the front, back and side of the body equally. ...

Pranayama means control of the breath, which leads to deeper breathing thereby providing the body with more oxygen. ...Concentration is fundamental in yoga.

Kids can start practicing Yoga as soon as they start to understand instructions. Ideally kids of 4 years and above are capable to understand the instructions and follow the teacher. However, we should be careful that certain practices should not be taught to the kids. For example- Padmasana.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna tells Arjuna “Yoga is skill in action.” For the many of us who practice yoga asana, this may be experienced as the bringing of awareness into the actions of the physical body.

Yoga isn't considered aerobic exercise, but the more athletic varieties, like power yoga, will make you sweat. And even though yoga is not aerobic, some research finds it can be just as good as aerobic exercise for improving health. Strength: Yes. It takes a lot of strength to hold your body in a balanced pose