FAQ

I have never done yoga before, what should I expect?

..Our classes at Indigo Yoga are geared towards people who are very new to yoga (and offer options to spice it up for more advanced yogi’s) so no need to worry. We walk you through poses step by step and move at a nice and easy pace. This helps you to learn the alignment of each posture and keeps you safe while building strength and slowly opening tight muscles

Tips on class etiquette:
1. Arrive early. Entering class after it has begun can be distracting and stressful for the other students in class and the instructor.
2. Plan to stay for the whole class. If you know you’ll need to leave early, let the instructor know before class and leave before savasana begins.
3. Leave your shoes at the door.
4. Avoid stepping on other people’s mat. Bring your own mat or borrow one from the studio (don’t use other member’s mats that are stored at the studio).
5. Leave your cellphone outside the room and set on silent.
6. Avoid heavily scented perfume, cologne, or lotion that could be irritating to others (and on the other side of the spectrum, maintain proper hygiene!)
7. Let the instructor know about any physical issues before class

8. Avoid talking during class (if you need an instructor’s assistance, it’s ok to wave them down if you need but otherwise minimize conversation during class!)

9. After class, clean and put away your mat and any props you used during class.

What are the health benefits of yoga?

There are TONS of benefits of yoga both mentally and physically.

For the body, yoga increases core strength, lowers blood pressure, helps with weight management, aids in digestion, detoxifies the body, relieves pain and tension, increases flexibility, improves posture, and boosts your immune system.

For the mind, yoga helps increase self-acceptance and mental awareness, improves concentration and the ability to focus on the present, neutralizes stress, improves memory, boosts confidence, and balances the brain hemispheres.

Also, in yoga we practice deep breathing- breathing deeply keeps the mind focused, cleans out the lungs, and increases circulation, which oxygenates your entire system. And, physical exertion of any kind is super important for stress reduction. Because of the concentration required, your daily troubles seem to melt away during the time you are doing yoga. These are just a few of the magical benefits of practicing the art of yoga.

What is the difference between the types of yoga?

There are many different styles of yoga but they are all based on breath and postures. Vinyasa consists of moving one breath with one movement as you flow through a series of postures to get your blood flowing and your body moving. Indigo Yoga offers a variety of styles of yoga to suit your needs for relaxation, to stretch, to strengthen, to explore alignment, balance, etc. To learn more about the various styles of yoga offered at Indigo Yoga, take a look through the class descriptions.

Fun Fact: Did you know yoga is more than just the poses we do on our mats? It’s a common question that we hear- “what kind of yoga do you teach?” A common answer is “Hatha” yoga. “Hatha” is a generic term, which encompasses all styles of physical yoga. Meditation is considered Raja Yoga. Living the yogi-life of selfless service is Karma Yoga. Learning and being open to new ideas and trying new experiences is Jnana Yoga. We as yogi’s practice living the yogic lifestyle by following the Yamas & Niyamas which are our commitments of living in truth, without greed & desire, without harm, without stealing, living respectfully and in moderation, living generously, practicing self-discipline and exploring knowledge, self reflection and contemplation, positive and pure thinking, and practicing proper hygiene and fueling our body and minds with healthy food and drink.

Which classes should I take?

All of our classes are appropriate for yogi’s of all levels. Our instructors are well-trained and very knowledgeable on different variations of each pose and will provide options with different modifications throughout the class. Just listen to your body and do what feels good for your body. This entirely depends on what you are looking for. Try restorative yoga for a relaxing stress-relieving yoga experience. Try power yoga, HIIT, or hot yoga for a more intense and challenging class. Just want to have fun and let loose? Come in for our Vinyasa Flow or Aerial Yoga classes low for an upbeat flow. If you just want to stretch our and pay some special attention to tight muscles, come in for our stretch + flow, wall yoga or yin class. Click here to check out the class descriptions to find what suits you best.

Do I have to be flexible to do yoga?

Thinking you have to be flexible to do yoga is a myth. Yoga was actually created to help you gain more flexibility, which loosens tight muscles and prevents injury.

What should I wear to yoga? What should I bring?

Wear comfortable clothing that is stretchy and/or loose fitting. Bring a yoga mat and an open mind. Don’t have your own mat? You can borrow one from us! ($1 mat rental at the hot studio). Coming in for a hot class? Bring a towel and some water.

Should I eat before coming to class?

Doing yoga on a full stomach is not fun, yet doing yoga when you’re starving isn’t a good idea either. We recommend eating a light snack one hour before class or a meal 2-3 hours before class. This way your body is fueled but not focused on digestion.

I try to meditate but I can’t “turn off my mind” or “slow my thoughts”… how do I do that?

You are not alone! This is one of the most common problems people come across when they start meditating. Try using a mantra. The word “Mantra” is a Sanskrit word which literally means “mind tool.” Think of a positive thought to focus on, or choose a word or phrase to repeat in your mind.

Here’s a 15 second experiment:

–Try this mantra… think “health, happiness, love. Health, happiness, love. Health, happiness, love….” Continue to repeat these words in your mind for 15 seconds.

–What did you think of during that 15 seconds? … You don’t remember? Nothing? GOOD JOB! Now try and do it for a little longer. Each time your thoughts start to run wild, just think of it as a cloud in the wind- acknowledge that thought and then get back to that mantra again.