Yoga can help improve flexibility, lubricate your joints and strengthen your core. It can also help you feel more relaxed and calm, especially if you practice regularly. It can also help prevent back problems. Yoga can help keep your spine supple, which can help prevent herniated disks.
Before attending a yoga class, it is important to visit the studio and get a feel for the atmosphere. You should leave your cell phone, car keys and other items outside the studio.
Yin
In our fast-paced society, yin yoga offers a quiet space to slow down and reconnect with your body mind. It is a great style for those who are new to the practice or looking to improve their flexibility.
The main focus of yin yoga is to stretch connective tissue, such as ligaments and fascia, rather than the large muscle groups that are targeted in more active forms of yoga. The tenets of yin yoga include finding your edge, where you feel the stretch but not strain; remaining still, which can be challenging at first; and staying in the poses for longer periods of time – usually between three and 10 minutes.
The long holds in yin yoga can also help to reduce the risk of injury. The passive stretching bypasses the stretch reflex, which prevents you from over-stretching a muscle and damaging it. The yin yoga postures that incorporate tension and compression work to open and balance the meridians in the body, which is believed to improve both physical and emotional well-being.
Vinyasa
Vinyasa yoga is a fast-paced style that offers many benefits for the body and mind. It helps build strength and flexibility, improve balance and focus. It also strengthens the lymphatic system and stimulates the creation of disease-fighting white blood cells. These effects may help lower stress levels and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
However, the synchronizing of movement with breath can be challenging for beginners at first. If you are a newbie, it is important to let your instructor know so that she can modify the class for your fitness level. This will help prevent injuries and ensure you have a great time.
If you don’t have access to a yoga studio, you can still practice vinyasa at home. You can download videos from popular instructors like Flow Jo, Briana Casey and Yoga With Tim. Make sure you wear comfortable, form-fitting workout clothes. A pair of breathable leggings and a sports bra will work well.
Kundalini
Kundalini yoga is an ancient practice that has grown in popularity over the last few years. It combines breath and postures with chanting and meditation. It is a more spiritual form of yoga than hatha or vinyasa.
It is based on the concept of kundalini energy, also called shakti or goddess energy. Kundalini is said to lie dormant at the base of the spine, like a coiled snake, and that yoga practices can awaken it.
Unlike other types of yoga, Kundalini classes focus more on movement and breath than on poses. A typical class begins with an opening chant, or pranayama, and then moves on to a kriya, which is a sequence of postures paired with breathing techniques and sometimes mudras (hand positions) and meditation. Each kriya is designed to stimulate a specific energy area of the body and to cultivate awareness. The class ends with a relaxation period and a closing chant. Practicing Kundalini yoga can have several science-backed and anecdotal health benefits, including increased metabolism, improved digestion, and mental clarity.
YO BK
Located in Greenpoint and Williamsburg, YO BK offers a variety of yoga classes including Inferno Hot Pilates, Traditional Bikram Yoga, Yin Yoga, and Baptiste Power Vinyasa. These classes are suitable for all fitness levels and ages, from teenagers to professional athletes. The studio also offers small class sizes to ensure students get personalized guidance and support.
A typical class lasts anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes and consists of a fusion-style warm-up followed by alternating five-minute segments of stability enhancing Yoga and mobility focused T’ai Chi. The result is a dynamic enjoyable cross-training experience. You should drink plenty of water before taking a class to prepare your body. It’s normal to feel dizzy or nauseated during class, especially as a beginner. But these sensations are temporary and will disappear as your body acclimates to the heat. It is also important to avoid eating before class. It is best to arrive at the studio early to allow time for prepping and connecting with your instructor before class begins.