The purpose of yoga is to create strength, awareness and harmony in both the mind and body. While there are more than 100 different types, or schools of yoga, most sessions typically include breathing exercises, meditation, and assuming postures (sometimes called asanas or poses) that stretch and flex various muscle groups. The relaxation techniques incorporated in yoga can lessen chronic pain, such as lower back pain, arthritis, headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome. It can even lower blood pressure and reduce insomnia.
Dani's personalized yoga programs serve as a vital component in her comprehensive well-being offerings. She places equal importance on promoting core strength, working in proper alignment, and increasing strength and flexibility. Her immense range of training and knowledge in varying styles of yoga practices include Asthanga; Vinyasa, Iyengar, and Hatha.
+ What is Ashtanga yoga?
Patanjali's eight-limbed path, also called Raja Yoga. This yoga contains or should contain eight components: morality; ethics; posture; breath control; sense control; concentration; meditation; absorption. Also the "brand" name for the style of yoga developed and taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois with a set sequence of yoga postures that take a student from A-Z in Asana.
+ What does Hatha mean?
The word hatha means willful or forceful. Hatha yoga refers to a set of physical exercises (known as asanas or postures), and sequences of asanas, designed to align your skin, muscles, and bones. The postures are also designed to open the many channels of the body—especially the main channel, the spine—so that energy can flow freely. Hatha is also translated as ha meaning “sun” and tha meaning “moon.” This refers to the balance of masculine aspects—active, hot, sun—and feminine aspects—receptive, cool, moon—within all of us. Hatha yoga is a path toward creating balance and uniting opposites. In our physical bodies we develop a balance of strength and flexibility. We also learn to balance our effort and surrender in each pose.
+ What if I'm not flexible?
Yes! You are a perfect candidate for yoga. Many people think that they need to be flexible to begin yoga, but that’s a little bit like thinking you need to be able to play tennis in order to take tennis lessons. Come as you are and you will find that your yoga practice will help you become more flexible. This newfound agility will be balanced by strength, coordination, and enhanced cardiovascular health, as well as a sense of physical confidence and overall well-being.
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+ What is Yoga?
The word yoga, from the Sanskrit word yuj means to yoke or bind and is interpreted as “union”. The Indian sage Patanjali is believed to have collated the practice of yoga into the Yoga Sutra an estimated 2,000 years ago. The Sutra is a collection of statements that serves as a philosophical guidebook for most types of yoga practiced today. It outlines eight limbs of yoga: the yamas (restraints), niyamas (observances), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyani (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). Today most people practicing yoga are engaged in the third limb, asana, which is a program of physical postures designed to purify the body and provide physical strength.
+ What if I'm pregnant?
You should consult a medical practitioner before engaging in any yoga class. This will ensure that you do not injure yourself or the baby. If you have never done yoga before, the general recommendation is to not start during the first three months of pregnancy If you have a regular practice, you can continue practicing with tailored modifications. Practicing in a heated room is the number one component to avoid in a yoga class, as getting over-heated can fry the baby's neurons. Lying on the back can shut off blood to the baby and lying on the stomach can compress the baby. Inversions are not a great idea. Your weight is different when pregnant so your center of balance is easily thrown off. I have seen pregnant women fall and its not fun for the mother or the baby.
+ How often should I practice?
Yoga is amazing—even if you only practice for one hour a week, you will experience the benefits of the practice. If you can do more than that, you will certainly experience more benefits. I suggest starting with two or three times a week, for an hour or an hour and a half each time. If you can only do 20 - 30 minutes per session, that’s fine too. Don’t let time constraints or unrealistic goals be an obstacle—do what you can and don’t worry about it. You will likely find that after a while your desire to practice expands naturally and you will find yourself doing more and more.
+ How is yoga different?
Unlike stretching or fitness, yoga is more than physical postures. The physical practice is one aspect. Even within the physical practice, yoga is unique because we connect the movement of the body with the fluctuations of the mind and rhythm of our breath. Connecting the mind, body, and breath helps us direct our attention inward. Through inward attention, we learn to recognize habitual thought patterns without labeling them, judging them, or trying to change them. We become aware of our thoughts. The awareness we cultivate is what makes yoga a practice.
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