Frequent Questions


Who can practice Yoga?

Anyone from children to elderly people can practice yoga. It is important to find style of Yoga that is suitable for you, and regular time to practice.If you are new to Yoga it is recommended to start with some Introduction classes so that you can try different approaches until find one you can stay with. Then you can gradually make your way to more advanced classes.

What should I bring to practice?

Wear comfortable clothes - the best is something stretchy. A small towel is handy when you sweat or sometimes as a prop when learning a new pose. It is recommended to bring a water bottle to have your supply of liquids ready for after the class. We practice barefooted so you do not need to wear socks and shoes. Yoga mats are provided in the studio, though you may choose to bring your own mat if you prefer.

I heard Ashtanga is for young, fit and flexible people. I am none of these things, but can I still practice?

Anyone can practice Ashtanga - young, old, healthy, ill, stiff and flexible. The practice can be modified to fit your conditions. You start where you are and as you gradually increase strength, stamina and flexibility, you progress with the practice based on your abilities. It is best described by a quote from Sharath Rangaswamy, grandson of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the Guru of Ashtanga.

Anyone can practice,
Young man can practice,
Old man can practice,
Very old man can practice,
Man who is sick can practice,
Man who has no strength can practice,
Except lazy people, lazy people can’t practice.

What is MYSORE class?

Mysore class is the traditional way of teaching Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. It is named after a city in India where Sri K. Pattabhi Jois teaches. People come to class and each person practices independently, so it is not a led class. The teacher divides his or her time amongst all students so that everyone has one-on-one time with the teacher. You get to practice at your own pace and at the same time you have the teacher there to guide your progress with personal attention when it is needed. If you are not familiar with the Ashtanga practice, we recommend attending a couple of introductory classes to get familiar with the flow of a Mysore style class.

You do not have to come to Mysore class right when it begins, but just make sure you have enough time to finish your practice before the end of the class. For example if the Mysore class is 6:30 – 9:00 and you know you need 90 minutes to finish your practice, you can come at 6:30 and leave at 8:00 or come as late as 7:30 and finish by 9:00.

How often should I practice?

Any practice you do is good. To sustain the benefits of the Ashtanga practice, however, the bare minimum is to practice 3 times perweek. It is recommended to practice 4 to 5 times per week. Traditionally, Ashtanga is practiced 5-6 times per week with a day of rest taken every Saturday and on each day of the New and Full Moon.

When is the best time to practice?

Ashtanga is very energizing practice and traditionally is practiced in the morning on empty stomach. The mind is at its quietest just after waking up in the morning, and it is good way to stir up the energy in body and get yourself moving. After an evening practice it takes some time to calm down the energy that is accumulated during practice before you can go to bed. However, if you are not able to practice in the morning, than choose a time that works for you and your lifestyle. Just make sure to keep 3-4 hour gap between a big meal and practice or 2 hour gap if you have had smaller meal.

When is the best time to practice?

Asana practices are to be done on empty stomach. This is one of the reasons for practicing first thing in the morning. If you practice during the day, make sure to keep a 3-4 hour gap between a big meal and practice or 2 hour gap between a small meal and practice. After you finish practice, it is recommended to wait 30 minutes before eating. Practicing right after eating is counter-productive as blood is needed in digestive system, and when you practice you increase circulation and move blood all over the body. The result of practicing directly after eating is that the food takes much longer to digest, which affects the quality of the nutrients your body receives from the food. If you get too hungry before practice, have a cup of warm water with tablespoon of honey about 1 hour before practice, and that will keep you going.

Drinking during practice is not recommended as it cools the “fire” that is removing all the toxins and impurities from your system. If you are too thirsty during practice,have a sip of water to wet your mouth.

What if I am injured or sore?

If you have any injury, let your teacher know as soon as possible so that your practice can be adjusted to be safe for you. There are two kinds of pain: “good” pain (sensation) and real pain. You can work through the sensation by lengthening the breath and letting go, and as a result , your body will open over time. If you hit the real pain, do not push it and instead do a little less. How can you differentiate between “good” pain and real pain? You know yourself the best, so when you get to a sensitive spot, slow down, breathe long and deep. Doing your best is a fine line between being lazy and pushing too far, and each of us has to find our own balance.