Common Questions
What Makes Yoga Different from Stretching?
Yoga postures (asana) are more than stretching exercises – at the most basic level, they do not only stretch your muscles, but open locked up joints and improve core strength. On a deeper level, Yoga requires your undivided focus as the aim is to coordinate movement with breath. Through the combination of postures that allow […]
Can I Do Yoga If I’m Not Flexible?
There are no prerequisites or restrictions with regard to who can or cannot do yoga. It is a common misconception that you have to ‘twist like a pretzel’ to do yoga. In fact, yoga is suitable for everybody, regardless of age, gender or physical ability. If truth be told, one of the big lessons in […]
Can I Practice Yoga after an Injury or Operation?
As with all physical and mental conditions, you have to rely on the medical advice of your doctor. If he/she suggests that yoga would be beneficial in to the recovery of your condition, there shouldn’t be a reason not to practice. However, it is critically important that you let the teacher know about your condition […]
A Brief History of the Role of Postures in Yoga
In the western world, we usually equate ‘Asana’ (postures) with ‘Yoga’ and the primary aim of people that come a yoga class is either to become more flexible, stronger or lose weight. However, for some there is also the aspect of ‘stress relief’, so there must be something more to yoga than just the physical […]
Why do we chant?
Chanting is more than just a lovely way to start and finish a yoga class. The sound ‘OM’ is considered the universal sound, encompassing three elements: creation (A), preservation (U) and destruction (M); hence the sound A+U (O) and M. OM is the most commonly used mantra or chant, derived from the ancient Sanskrit language. […]
Drinking During Class?
There is a tendency these days to clutch a water bottle whenever we are going to exert ourselves. The reason to refrain (if possible) from drinking during yoga is that you are quenching the essential thing that you want to generate: heat! When heat is produced internally through asana and the breath (rather than externally, […]
Yoga for Men?
According to an RMIT study of 4000 Australian yoga practitioners, around 90% of those who practice yoga are women. This is particularly interesting since yoga was originally practiced in India exclusively by men. Also, when you look at ‘famous’ yoga teachers, the majority of those are (still) men. So what is it that holds many […]
What is Vinyasa?
Have you considered stepping up your practice and taking a Vinyasa Yoga class? But have been reluctant about it because you don’t know what’s involved? Let’s try and get to the core of what ‘Vinyasa’ stands for and how it is incorporated in Yogita Yoga’s classes. Our interpretation of ‘Vinyasa’ is strongly linked to the […]
