Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yoga?

Yoga has many forms, but it is essentially a set of practices that create physical and mental well-being. In the west, most students of yoga practice Hatha yoga, which focuses on the use of physical postures to create health and vitality. At Spry Mind+Body, we link the postures to the breath, connecting the mind with the body. This connection calms the nervous system and soothes the mind, helping to protect us from the stress of our 21st century lives. Over time, many yoga practitioners find that their practice creates enough mental space in their life to begin to connect with themselves and others on a deeper level.

What if I am not flexible?

Then you are the perfect candidate for a yoga class! Many students have tight hamstrings, hips and shoulders. The postures in a yoga class are designed to open up the body and enhance your flexibility over time. Your teacher will offer modifications to help you adjust each pose to your level of flexibility. It's not about how deep you get into each pose, it's about patience and right intention.

How often should I practice yoga?

It depends on what you want from your yoga. If you already have a fitness routine and just want to maintain flexibility and de-stress, 1-2 classs per week might be enough for you. If you are looking for a practice that will change your body, come at least 3x per week. Practice 4-6 times per week to see a change in your life!

What/when should I eat before I practice?

In general it is best for the stomach to be empty when you practice. You'll have to know your own body to decide exactly what/when to eat, but general guidelines are to wait 2-3 hours after a large meal and 30-60 minutes after eating fruits and vegetables. Dried fruit and nuts are a good choice if you need a small snack before you practice.

Are we allowed to talk in the yoga studio?

We love it when our students chat before class. You are encouraged to introduce yourself to your fellow yogis and get to know your neighbors. During class, you'll want to focus on your practice and keep the conversation to a minimum.

What does Namaste mean?

"Nama" means bow, "as" means I, and "te" means you. Therefore, Namaste literally means "I bow to you." When spoken to another person, it is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards. The gesture Namaste represents the belief that there is something good within each of us. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the light in one another.

Why do we chant Om at the end of class?

We learned in chemistry class that all matter in the universe is composed of tiny particles that are moving and vibrating with energy. The sound of Om is said to be the sound of this vibration, the sound of everything in the universe. Chanting Om is the yogi's way of connecting to ourselves, to each other and to everything in the universe. When we chant at the beginning of class we are creating a conscious connection to ourselves and bringing focus to our practice. When we chant at the end we are reminding ourselves to carry on that connection outside of class.

Is yoga a religion?

“Yoga is compatible with every religion and /philosophy. Yoga is neutral, the threshold beyond which each individual chooses his own doorway to the highest power.” (Krishnamacharya, Health, Healing and Beyond)

The short answer is no. But this is a hotly debated question, in part, because yoga has so many forms. Modern yoga is based upon a philosophy that began in India an estimated 5,000 years ago. The early yoga teachings were compiled into texts such as The Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. These ancient yoga texts provide a framework for spiritual growth and mastery over the physical and mental body. Many modern forms of yoga reference these teachings as tools for developing greater self awareness. Some schools of yoga are more focused on spiritual study than others.

While Yoga sometimes interweaves teachings from Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and/or other religious and spiritual traditions, it is not necessary to study these paths in order to practice yoga. We recommend that you attend yoga classes with an open mind and decide for yourself if the practice is compatible with your own personal beliefs. You might even find that yoga deepens your existing faith!