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Beginner's Guide to Yoga at 12South
Yoga package for beginners:
Purchase a discounted Beginner's Package, included are: One 8 week Yoga Basics session registration ($100) for any Yoga Basics class you choose, Hugger Mugger tapas sticky mat ($25), Preliminary Course, a book for beginners($25)! All items can be picked up at your first class.
What is yoga?
The word yoga means to yoke. At its core, yoga is a practice that seeks to unite the physical, mental and spiritual body. A full sense of well-being is promoted through yoga, which distinguishes it from an aerobic class or many other types of exercise you might try at a gym.
What is Iyengar yoga?
Iyengar Yoga is based on the teachings of Mr. B.K.S. Iyengar, the world’s foremost expert on Yoga asana. Mr. Iyengar pioneered the use of props to allow all levels of students to practice safely and effectively. Iyengar yoga is challenging, intelligent, and transformative in nature.
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Is Yoga safe?
Mr. Iyengar has developed a vigorous form of Hatha Yoga based on the ancient texts that emphasize a balance of strength, flexibility, and endurance. Mr. Iyengar pioneered the use of props such as belts, blankets, bolsters, chairs, blocks, and other wooden objects to help students achieve precise postures safely and completely according to their particular body type and needs. All the poses, practiced mindfully, restore physical, physiological, and mental well- being. Iyengar Yoga teaches correct alignment of the spine and limbs in all poses and helps stimulate and balance all systems of the body recreating and/or maintaining harmony.
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What do I need to bring to class?
Most importantly, bring an open mind. A t-shirt and shorts or knit tights that allow for easy movement are recommended attire. Please do not eat two hours before class. For hygienic reasons, we recommend that you purchase your own sticky mat and bring it to class each week. Place your name on your mat. You will have the opportunity to purchase a sticky mat while registering online for a class. The studio does provide mats if needed as well as all other props for your use. For your comfort, try not to eat 2 hours prior to class.
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May I join class at any time?
Yes, provided the class you wish to join is not already full. You are encouraged to register early to ensure your space in class.
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May I make up a missed class?
Please attempt to make up classes missed within the current session you are registered for. If you know you will be out of town, plan to take 2 classes the week before you travel or 2 classes the week that you return in the same level class you are signed up for.
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Am I committed to the same class each week?
Attending the same class is best way to build consistency and a strong foundation for your Yoga practice. The sessions have been planned, and there is an order to the sequencing that takes in several factors, one of which is who is in each class. If you change classes often, it will be difficult to monitor your progress and plan for future classes.
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How do I know if I am a beginner or intermediate student?
In asana-based classes, determination of a “beginner” and “intermediate” level is based on physical ability, maturity in the poses, and your commitment to daily practice. What you know mentally about Yoga, how many classes you have taken, or for how long you have taken Yoga, or how many types of Yoga you have done, or how many teachers you have studied with do not necessarily determine your level.
In the Iyengar Yoga system, almost everyone is a continuing beginner, or Level 2. Stay in the beginner level classes if you practice less than an hour each day or not at all. Intermediate students practice a minimum of one hour each day, and they learn and practice inverted poses (inversions). When a student wants to begin learning inversions and has taken formal continuing beginner classes for at least 6 months, he or she may proceed with the instructor’s permission to an intermediate level class.
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What are inversions?
Inverted poses place the pelvis higher than the heart for a minute or more. Students who should not do inversions and, consequently, intermediate-level classes are those with high blood pressure, hiatal hernia, displaced or detached retina, glaucoma, disorders of the cervical spine, sinus infection, weak or broken capillaries in or around the eyes or face, coronary heart disease, and epilepsy.
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What does Namaste mean?
Class traditionally ends with the exchange of the Sanskrit word Namaste. Say "Na Ma Stay" This translates roughly as: I honor the divine place within you. We recognize this place in each other. In this place we realize we are one.
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Why begin a yoga practice?
Yoga is a lifelong journey. As sutra 1.2 relates, yoga is a means to remove the obstacles that disturb and distract our consciousness. We begin with the physical practice of learning asana as a way to purify and bring freedom to the body. As we gain freedom and space in the body, we create a more nurturing environment within ourselves. The environment that we create within expresses outwardly in our relationships towards others. As Iyengar notes:
"If we have peace within us, peace will follow with others, too. Then the world is also in peace. "
It is here that we find our practice purposeful, useful, and noble.
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