Q&A
In this section, you'll find answers to the most frequently asked questions. If your question is not listed, please feel free to send me a message
I have never done yoga before. What should I be aware of?
For the first yoga class, you should take enough time and arrive about 15 minutes before the start of the class. This leaves enough room to show you everything calmly. It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing, neither too tight nor too loose, which allows enough room for mobility but does not risk slipping too much. At least two hours should have passed since your last meal.
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Some yoga exercises may seem unusual at first. Don't expect too much at the beginning, because over time, the coordination of your body will become more natural, and the interaction between breathing and movement will also improve. It is important to have time and patience to start yoga and to be attentive to yourself. If during the exercises, your breathing becomes narrow and/or something hurts, stop the exercise carefully.
What equipment do I need to
practice Yoga?
You should wear comfortable clothes and have a yoga mat to practice. Blocks, straps, and blankets can also be used to support the postures.
How Long Do I Need to Practice Yoga
to Feel the Benefits?
You can feel the benefits of yoga after just one session, but for long-term effects, it's recommended to practice regularly for at least a few months.
What Happens During a Yoga Class?
Each session follows an intention that I share with the group. After asking if anyone has any injuries or pain for which I provide alternative postures, we start with a short meditation and focus on our breath.
The breath accompanies the movements, or asanas, as we move through various poses to awaken the body. We then move into sun salutations and variations, balance poses, and end with Savasana, a meditation to close the practice.
Why do we sometimes sing OM at the beginning and/or end of the class?
OM is a very ancient Indian mantra. Among other things, it represents infinity, the universe, and the cycle of life. If you don't feel sure of yourself or uncomfortable, you don't have to sing OM. Just by listening to it, you can feel the positive vibration of this powerful mantra in your body.
No, yoga is not a religion itself, but a philosophical and physiological system that originated in India several thousand years ago.
Is yoga a religion?
Do You Have to Be Flexible to Do Yoga?
If you're not going to yoga because you don't feel flexible enough, not only will you remain stiff and tense, but you'll also miss out on many other wonderful experiences. So don't be discouraged by circus yogis tied up on Instagram. Can't sit cross-legged or touch your toes? Welcome to the (not at all exclusive) club! Some people reject the idea of starting yoga because they don't feel flexible enough. However, it's just a cliché to say that yogis must be human pretzels.
Yes, in fact, yoga is particularly useful for you if you are massively tense and not very flexible. Because it is a wonderful and highly effective method for bringing more freedom to the body and mind. There can be an infinite number of reasons for reduced mobility - your anatomy, time of day, your inner attitude. Age and gender also play a major role. Yoga is not aimed at being particularly flexible, but rather at doing good for you and your body: developing strength, balance, relaxation, feeling more of your own body, learning to know it and love it. And of course, regular practice also significantly improves physical mobility.
What does "Namasté" mean?
Namasté is a common greeting formula in India.
Translated, it means something like: "The divine light in me bows to the divine light in you!"
I Don't Like Meditation. Is Yoga Right for Me?
The answer is yes and no. Let me explain: meditation is an integral part of yoga, and without meditation, yoga is not really complete. That's why most yoga teachers incorporate meditation sessions into their yoga classes. If you focus only on the asanas (postures), you can certainly improve your strength, flexibility, and balance, but it's only through meditation that you can really refocus, develop mental clarity, and inner strength. In today's world, we are subjected to agitation, stress, and long to-do lists.
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Yoga can help reduce stress because during classes, the nervous system is soothed and stress symptoms are alleviated. I offer guided meditation classes at the beginning and end of each yoga session.
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These meditations are fairly short compared to other classes. I don't try to integrate too much spirituality, just enough for each participant to find what they need to get into their "bubble."
I myself am a person who tends to have the "jitters," and I still remember my first few minutes of silent meditation - I was terrified! But by practicing regularly, I quickly felt the positive benefits of meditation. So don't hesitate to give it a try!
What does hatha mean?
Hatha literally means "effort". The word is composed of the Sanskrit words Ha = sun and Tha = moon. This is where the symbolic translation of the balance of opposites was born. Hatha yoga is the basis or foundation of all modern forms of yoga. It represents the physical aspect of yoga. Through different physical exercises (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation, balancing energies and opposites are practiced.