New to Yoga? What do I need to know? What can I expect?
New to yoga? Welcome to your first encounter with yoga and thank you for choosing to practice with us! Yoga is a journey that begins with and ends with the self. As fellow practitioners, we welcome you with open arms and hearts. We are happy to share with you, our experiences in our intimate studio space. Yoga will make you feel great! It relaxes and re-energises you and it will make you stronger and more flexible. We also hope that you will discover the joys of yoga beyond the physical and get to know yourself a little better.
Read on for our General Practice Guidelines as you ease into a regular yoga practice. We cover the general do’s and don’ts to having a more pleasant yoga experience.
Pain
Yoga is intended to help strengthen your body and help you heal. An aching sensation after class is normal, as you start to discover and condition muscles that have been neglected for a long time. Stretching can be painful too but care should be taken to differentiate between the feeling of exertion and the warning pain of potential injury. You should never do anything that hurts and being able to differentiate between ‘good’ pain from ‘bad’ pain is necessary for keeping your practice safe.
Medical conditions
Every posture has variations and modifications available and informing the teacher at the start of each class if you have any existing medical conditions is vital so that necessary care and measures can be given. Menstruation, pregnancy, high blood pressure and injuries to the knees, shoulders, and neck are all conditions where certain postures should be avoided, and special care is taken. As with most forms of exercise, if you have an existing medical condition, you should check with your health care professional before beginning a yoga practice.
Medical conditions
Every posture has variations and modifications available and informing the teacher at the start of each class if you have any existing medical conditions is vital so that necessary care and measures can be given. Menstruation, pregnancy, high blood pressure and injuries to the knees, shoulders, and neck are all conditions where certain postures should be avoided, and special care is taken. As with most forms of exercise, if you have an existing medical condition, you should check with your health care professional before beginning a yoga practice.
Modify the postures for your body
Yoga postures and instructions are directives only and everyone will not necessarily end up looking the same. Seek your teacher’s help when modifications are needed, and do not be afraid to explore different positions and alignments to make the posture work for your body.
Moderate the level of intensity
Your yoga practice can be as challenging and vigorous as you want. We recommend that you start slowly and take good care to understand the alignment of postures. We have classes of differing paces, but a slow paced one can be as challenging as a fast-paced one – all of our classes are designed to challenge you to explore and understand yourself better. Holding postures help build heat and strength; challenging postures break habits and mental patterns; continuous movements and transitions add dynamism to your practice – at Yoga Mala, we have classes tailored for all abilities and levels. So speak to us today to find out which classes are suitable for you!
Moderate the level of intensity
Your yoga practice can be as challenging and vigorous as you want. We recommend that you start slowly and take good care to understand the alignment of postures. We have classes of differing paces, but a slow paced one can be as challenging as a fast-paced one – all of our classes are designed to challenge you to explore and understand yourself better. Holding postures help build heat and strength; challenging postures break habits and mental patterns; continuous movements and transitions add dynamism to your practice – at Yoga Mala, we have classes tailored for all abilities and levels. So speak to us today to find out which classes are suitable for you!
Duration of practice
Depending on your schedule, goals and ability, daily practice is encouraged wherever possible and can be between 15-90 minutes long. More frequent practice with shorter practice times will yield greater results than practising less frequently with longer practice times. However, do not get upset when you miss a practice or let unrealistic expectations get in your way. A yoga practice does not need to involve physical activity all the time.
Drinking and eating
It is not advisable to eat or drink right before a yoga practice. Eat no less than three hours before and drink only small amounts of water before practice. If possible try not to drink during your practice.
Drinking and eating
It is not advisable to eat or drink right before a yoga practice. Eat no less than three hours before and drink only small amounts of water before practice. If possible try not to drink during your practice.
Yoga practice and menstruation
Some women prefer to stop practising yoga when they are on their cycles while others keeping going. During this period, the body’s energies are directed to the discharge of menstrual blood, hence the bout of lethargy. Strong twists can get uncomfortable and core engagement is weak. However, it varies and depends on the individual. So learning to listen to what your body tells you is key. Most teachers advise not to do practices that interrupt the downward flow, for instance, poses that require inversions. We would also recommend a slower, more restorative practice during the first few days of the menstruation cycle.