The best way to describe yoga is probably to say that it is a way of life. The yoga we are most familiar with in the West is called “Hatha Yoga,” or the “yoga of movement.” However, there are seven other yogic pathways, all of which deal primarily with the spiritual, emotional, and mental realms.

Yoga originated in India over 5,000 years ago (a lot longer than any fitness trend!). The word “yoga” means “union,” or, simply put, the union of mind, body, and spirit. All of the eight yogic paths have this union as their goal.

No. Yoga is not a religion. Instead, it is a practical system for healthy living, which includes movement, diet, and a set of ethical principles (such as non-violence and self-restraint).

No! We offer classes for all ages, levels of fitness and flexibility. Secondly, yoga is NOT a competitive sport! Instead, yoga helps us to look at our bodies and ourselves from the inside out. We encourage you not to compare yourself to the student next to you. Yoga is experiential . . . it is not a performance art. So, whoever you are, however old you are, however long it has been since you stretched or moved, yoga is for YOU!

No! All of our instructors are trained to help you modify your poses, and we encourage you move at your own pace, listening to your body and respecting your limitations.

Yes! If you suffer from back or neck pain, repetitive stress injuries (like carpal tunnel syndrome), arthritis, bursitis, fibromyalgia, migraines, or osteoporosis, you can not only try yoga, you’re bound to benefit from it. Just see your instructor at the beginning of class to discuss your individual health circumstances.

Please note, however: If you suffer from any severe or unusual medical conditions (such as heart disease, high blood pressure, a previous head/neurological injury, a high-risk pregnancy, etc.), it is your responsibility to get permission from your personal physician before embarking on any new exercise program. Again, please inform your instructor of any and all individual health concerns before class.

First off, come ready to practice in bare feet. This is the traditional (and safest) way to practice. The sticky mats we use in class (you can bring your own or use the ones we provide) are further insurance that you don’t slip while you practice. Wear loose, baggy, or stretchy clothing, such as a t-shirt and shorts or leggings. It is also recommended to bring water and a small towel.

Practicing yoga poses (asanas) provides low-impact exercise that is similar to calisthenics, where strength, flexibility, and endurance are developed using your own body weight. If you attend one of our conditioning exercises that involve the use of weights, the practices can offer more resistance-training benefits. If your exercise routine consists of mainly isolated weight training or repetitive movements, yoga could help you find greater musculoskeletal balance, since all the postures are compound movements that require participation from your entire body. OR, if your exercise routine needs a kickstart or feels stale, start or refresh your routines with us! We have a variety of classes to help you build strength, sweat, build flexibility, as well as relax and recover.