A yoga class typically lasts an hour or an hour-and-a-half and involves a series of poses, breathing techniques and mental focus. Before taking your first class, make sure to check with your doctor and alert the instructor about any physical limitations you may have.
Shallow breathing, poor posture and tense muscles are both symptoms and causes of anxiety. A regular practice of yoga can help strengthen the immune system and reduce anxiety levels by calming both mind and body.
Beginner’s Classes
If you’re new to yoga, start with beginner’s classes. Even if you’re physically fit, a beginning class will help you learn how to properly stretch and perform poses such as Downward-Facing Dog and Chaturanga, which can pose challenges for novices.
Vinyasa classes link movement with breath to move quickly from one pose to the next, often incorporating sun salutations. This vigorous, athletic yoga style may be best for yogis who enjoy a challenge or like to work up a sweat.
If you’re a runner, a Vinyasa class could also be a good option for you because it will boost your cardiovascular endurance. It’s important to note, though, that teachers in this style tend to demonstrate a lot and may not break down poses at the beginning of a class. For that reason, this type of class can be confusing for new students. Iyengar yoga, on the other hand, provides more detail and is appropriate for all levels of yogis.
Gentle Classes
Gentle classes are slower-paced and offer a variety of poses. They can include yin, restorative and slow-moving hatha yoga styles. They focus on stretching and relaxation with postures held for up to two or three minutes at a time. These classes may also incorporate a number of props. This can be a good style of class for students who are just starting out or those dealing with chronic pain, musculoskeletal problems or other physical issues.
Although some people might think that gentle yoga is boring or not physically advantageous, it’s one of the best ways to reap many of yoga’s most important benefits. It calms the nervous system, allowing the parasympathetic (rest, digest, heal) nerves to engage and encourages better digestion, improved sleep patterns, lower stress levels and a more present state of mind. These classes are particularly good for anyone who has trouble falling asleep, is constantly going over their to-do lists at work or feels tense and restless in their bodies.
Intermediate Classes
After a few weeks or months of basic yoga classes, you might find yourself ready to take your practice to the next level. But how do you know if you’re ready to move on from Downward-Facing Dog to Warrior 1 or Tree Pose? It’s important to talk with your teacher and get an honest assessment of where you are.
Intermediate classes offer more challenging poses, a more dynamic movement through poses and a deeper exploration of the connections between breath and body movements. Your instructor may also use Sanskrit, walk around the room offering hands-on adjustments and challenge your stamina with balancing postures that build core strength and lengthen your spine.
Intermediate classes are often paired with yin yoga, which is a deep-tissue style of yoga that uses long holds of stretches to release tension in the connective tissues of the body. Restorative yin yoga is perfect for beginners, students working with injury or those simply seeking relaxation.
Advanced Classes
The ability to do advanced yoga poses requires high levels of strength, flexibility and balance. They also require a certain level of mental discipline that comes from a dedicated yoga practice.
Some backbends, inversions and arm balances that are categorized as advance postures require an intense amount of physical strength. As a result, these poses are often included in peak pose sequences at the end of a yoga class and are performed after the body has been fully warmed up to prevent injuries.
The advanced yoga poses are also designed to engage deep tissues, ligaments and muscle tendons. This helps to build a strong, healthy body. In addition, the poses strengthen the abdominal muscles and improve digestion, among many other benefits. The advanced yoga classes can help students develop a deeper understanding of the ancient yogic philosophy and texts. They can also learn more about the benefits of chanting and other meditative practices.