Frequently Asked Questions…
What should I wear/bring to a yoga class? Do I need a mat?
What style of yoga should I do as a beginner?
As a beginner, it can be intimidating to start yoga - with all the different styles and everyone else who knows what they’re doing… which class do you even start with?! Although all of our teachers will look after anyone who is new no matter what style, there are some styles of yoga that are more beginner friendly than others. At Yama, we suggest starting with Hatha, Morning Flow or Yin/Restorative classes. These are your slower paced classes, which means your teacher will have time to break down and explain each pose for you, and you can start to learn each pose by it’s name and correct body alignment.
Most Yoga classes at Yama involve movement of some level. We therefore recommend wearing comfortable, non-restrictive clothing. For Restorative/Yin classes, your body temperature often drops, so it is a good idea to wear an extra layer and socks. For Hatha, Vinyasa and Flow classes, you may end up doing inversions (down dog included), which means your head will be down towards the ground. If you are wearing a loose fitting shirt, this may end up falling down towards your head, which may make you feel exposed or simply frustrated, and so for this reason many students like to wear tighter fitting clothing to avoid this.
Drinking water is essential to stay hydrated after any form of movement, and Yoga is no exception.
It is not necessary to bring a towel, however you are welcome to if you wish. If you are a particularly sweaty practitioner, we ask that you do bring a towel to keep the studio clean and hygienic.
At Yama Yoga, we ask that you bring your own mat to practice on, for hygiene reasons. We do hire mats for $3 if you need one.
Should I eat before class?
Simply put, we recommend not eating straight before a class. In Yoga, we do a lot of forward folding (and even some breath techniques) that put pressure on the abdomen and digestive organs. This can cause discomfort, reflux or indigestion. We recommend you practice 2hrs after any main meals, of 30mins after a small snack.
Can I practice if I am pregnant?
We recommend avoiding Yoga in your first trimester, especially if you are new to Yoga. From your second trimester on, it is generally safe to practice Yoga while pregnant (please always consult your Doctor first) and can in fact be a positive experience on your Pregnancy journey. All Yoga teachers should have a basic training for prenatal yoga and will know how to look after you - in a Hatha/Vinyasa/Flow class, it is recommended to avoid inversions, twists and compression to the abdomen, and in Yin we must watch how deep we go into stretches as Relaxin may make us over stretch. You are welcome to come to any class while pregnant, but please ensure you tell our instructors so they can look after you. Overall, make sure you do what feels right and safe for YOU on your pregnancy journey.
I am not flexible, can I still do Yoga?
YES! First of all, almost no one is flexible BEFORE they start Yoga… this is one of the outcomes of a regular practice. It is also most definitely not the goal of true Yoga… So please, PLEASE, put this excuse to the side and come and practice with us.
How often should I practice Yoga?
People practice yoga for many different reasons. For some, 1 weekly class to slow down and de-stress is perfect for them. For others, 5 classes fills up their cup. In general, to feel the benefits of Yoga, we recommend practicing about 3 times a week, with a range of class styles.
Can my child practice Yoga?
There is no specific age limit for practicing Yoga, and Yoga can be adapted and suitable for people of all ages and abilities.
However, some yoga styles may be more suitable for certain age groups than others, and it is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise. At Yama Yoga, we offer a Youth price for both drop in and 10 Class Pass packs for people under 18. Please let us know if your child would like to begin at Yama and we can answer any queries you may have.
Any other questions, please contact us through the form below.