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Yoga In Vancouver : Yoga Classes For Beginners
North Vancouver Yoga offers Yoga Classes for beginners and for the general public in any Lower Mainland community of the Greater Vancouver area of BC, Canada.
What Is Yoga?
A 45, 60, 75 or 90-minute Yoga Class starting with a centering technique which is a few minutes long. Sitting on your mat, listening to the Yoga Teacher, letting go of the "outside world" and bringing your awareness to your body and breath. Then into a series of asanas or postures aiming to strengthen, elongate and create flexible muscles through proper breathing and positioning of the body. Ending with a wonderful relaxation component.
Why Do Yoga?
• Releases stress and tension
• Calms the mind and emotions
• Firms and slims the waistline and hips
• Creates long, lean and flexible muscles
• Tones and firms leg and buttocks muscles
• Limbers the spine and strengthens the shoulders, arms and abdomen
• Increases blood circulation
• Improves concentration, co-ordination and balance
• Helps with menstrual disorders, constipation and digestion
• Massages internal organs to detoxify body
And this is just to name a few...
What Do I Need To Do Yoga?
A sticky mat, water and non-restrictive clothing.
Why Does North Vancouver Yoga Teach Traditional Hatha-Style Yoga?
All Yoga is Hatha Yoga.
Ha meaning Sun and Tha meaning moon and Yoga meaning to unite. When you unite the sun and moon energy within the body, it is said to produce greater balance and power within that person.
When I started Yoga 16 years ago, it was all traditional Hatha-style Yoga and it was considered to be for old people and those weird people who chant. Thank goodness times have changed! However, I am witnessing more and more people succumbing to their egos. Over-exerting themselves in a hot environment where the body tricks you into thinking you are more relaxed than you are, causing needless injuries by turning relaxation into a workout, trying Asthanga and Power Yoga before their bodies are ready. To me, Yoga is the counter-balance to all of the stress in our lives, the workouts we love and endure, the yin to the yang.
Am I Flexible Enough To Do Yoga?
Okay, this is where I get in touch with my inner-sarcastic self. My answer? You aren't going to get flexible reading these words on the screen, now, are you? Gymnasts didn't begin doing the splits, ballerinas didn't begin ballet on point, that's why we are called beginners when we start anything.
I Am Overweight — Can I Do Yoga?
Of course. The majority of my personal Yoga practice was done while overweight. You will have a Yoga Teacher who knows the proper modifications and we offer classes specifically for plus-sizes.
Will I Sweat?
Many people have fallen into the trap of thinking Yoga is a workout. Your body will create internal heat and you may have a warm feeling all over. But generally — the answer is no. So Yoga is perfect on your lunch hour or before your shift. In my opinion, Yoga is the counter-balance to your workouts. If you do the Grouse Grind or jog the Seawall, you will need to stretch out those muscles.
I Have Injuries — Can I Do Yoga?
Yes. Tell your Yoga Teacher! This is your body and your practice. Pain or burning sensations are the body's way of telling you to stop! Listen to your body. Listen to the Yoga Teacher's cues and watch the modifications given. The Yoga Teacher may even tell you to sit out a posture that your injured area is not ready for.
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