Question 1

I’m not flexible, can I do yoga?"

Accepted Answer

I’ve put this question first because it is the most common phrase heard in all of yoga land.
I get it! You’ve only ever seen imagery of super flexy yogis so that’s the bar, right? Wrong.
When I started yoga, I couldn’t touch my knees, let alone my toes. 
 
Yoga is a great tool for improving flexibility, but it’s also not the goal to get your hands to your feet. Doing yoga will not only improve your flexibility, but also your strength, coordination, posture and overall wellbeing.

Question 2

Where do you offer your Yoga classes?

Accepted Answer

Hanna is currently teaching a Flexibility Flow class, Fridays 8am at Vea Studios. Book via the studio website or with USC.

We can also arrange sessions at your home or office, in-person or online.

Question 3

How do I join an online class?

Accepted Answer

Great question. First, make sure you’ve downloaded Zoom (it’s free) and that you will be practicing somewhere with a stable Internet connection.
 
Click here to make your offering, add your email address to the message, and once completed, a Zoom link will be sent to your inbox. Make sure to check your junk box. 
Click on the link and it’ll send you straight to your class.
 
You can choose to keep your camera on or off, but know for sure that you are practicing in a safe space, free from judgement.

Question 4

What equipment do I need and what should I wear?

Accepted Answer

Yoga is excellent because you need very little to get started. A yoga mat is a great tool, but a beach towel can also work.
 
Straps and blocks are nice items to add to your practice if you feel you want to spend more time exploring yoga, but generally, there’s always a home-style alternative.
 
Wear something comfortable that you’re able to move freely in. Stretchy pants are awesome, but you don’t need to spend buckets of money, unless of course that’s your thing.

Question 5

Can I bring Real Yoga to my workplace or event?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! I offer one-off, daily, weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly yoga and/or meditation sessions designed to give your team or event exactly what you need—whether it's a yoga party you're after, or to re-energize, relax, build strength, improve flexibility, calm the mind, or a little bit of everything, I'm your gal!

Sessions are available both in-person and online. Head over to the 'Yoga' tab to learn more and book your session.

Question 6

Can I be a  yoga teacher if I can't do challenging poses like Handstand, Crow Pose, or the Splits?

Accepted Answer

You sure can!! The Movement Wisdom course is perfect for passionate yoga students who celebrate everything from holding Downdog for 5 breaths, to holding Handstand for 3 minutes... and everyone in-between!

One of the most important lessons you will learn in this training is that yoga takes place on the inside. It doesn't matter at all what your practice looks like from the outside.

For one person, sitting still in meditation or lying down in Savasana is their biggest challenge on the mat. They might be able to do Scorpion pose all day long, but getting still and quiet feels impossible.
Someone else might be light-years away from touching their toes, but have an incredible yogic mindset and can meditate for hours on end. 
Our level of success in yoga is not visible on the outside - it's all about our mental state as we do the things that challenge us the most.

There is no list of poses you need to be able to do in order to sign up and be successful in this course. There is no one style of yoga that you need to have practiced to take this course. Everyone is welcome to join.

Question 7

How many times a week should I practice?

Accepted Answer

Do what you can. 
 
I personally believe it’s more beneficial to get on the mat for 10-20 minutes regularly, than to sweat it out for 90 mins once a week.

Question 8

I’m practicing yoga with you on YouTube, how do I know if I’m doing it right?"

Accepted Answer

If you can breathe, you can do yoga. 
 
There has been so much fear-based rhetoric kicking around the yoga community for too long, and I’m here to change it!
 
Our bodies are smarter than we give them credit for. They know when something doesn’t feel right and will send signals. The main signals you need to look out for feel like pain that could be described as ‘sharp’ or ‘electrical.’ It’s up to you to set your ego to one side and decide whether you want to push yourself towards injury, or hold back, listen to your body, and allow your breath to guide you into a version of the pose that works for you.

Question 9

What if I’m injured?

Accepted Answer

Yoga teachers are not doctors or physiotherapists (unless they are, but I am not). To be on the safe side, please check with your medical professional before joining a session.

Question 10

Should I eat before class?

Accepted Answer

As someone who just inhaled a farty falafel kebab 30 minutes before a vinyasa class, I’m not one to make the rules on this.

From personal experience, the only effect I’ve ever had from eating within an hour of my class, is that if I’m in prone (belly facing down) poses, I can get a little indigestion. Eat when you want to eat or give yourself a 1-2 hour window. You do you.
 
And yes, you can bring your water bottle to the mat.

Question 11

How early should I arrive for an in-person class?

Accepted Answer

10-15 minutes is a nice amount of time to allow yourself to set up, chill out, and account for unexpected delays.

Question 12

Is Yoga a religion?

Accepted Answer

No, Yoga is not a religion. It is a philosophy that began in India an estimated 5,000 years ago. The father of classical ashtanga yoga (the eight-limbed path, not to be confused with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois' Ashtanga yoga) is said to be Patanjali, who wrote the Yoga Sutras. These scriptures provide a framework for spiritual growth and mastery over the physical and mental body.
 
Yoga sometimes interweaves other philosophies such as Hinduism or Buddhism, but it is not necessary to study those paths in order to practice or study yoga.
 
You do not have to surrender your own religious beliefs to practice yoga.

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