Essential Tips for your Yoga class

1. Take the class at your own pace. It is not part of "The Path of Yoga" to injure yourself.

2. Find variations to suit you! If in doubt stretch from your heels (Or tailbone, depending on the pose) to the crown of the head. A suitable variation may be to bend your knees in a pose (for example in a forward bend). Remember in Yoga oftentimes a stretch for the legs is not the primary function of a given pose (In a forward bend the primary function is a stretch the structures of the lower back (lumbo-sacral spine). So bending the legs is much "truer" to the pose than straightening the legs and hunching over!

3. Don't allow the ego to take over. Keep your focus on your own mat rather than another students. Move slowly into new poses, explore how the pose feels for you. There is no rush.

4. Be patient. If you are not able for the "full pose" move towards the pose (unless you are in pain or understand that a pose is not suitable for you!) Don't give up! In poses focusing on the "core muscles" it is often best to "isolate" movement; "smaller",  focuses movement is often a 100 times more effective.

5. Let me know if you have any injuries; I will not be offended if you "sit something out" for that reason. I will give you an alternative when I can. Remember there is a vast difference between doing nothing and practicing a suitable alternative!

6. Breath. Inhaling and exhaling are just as much part of the physical practice of Yoga as the asanas (poses). Breathing helps release further into poses, releasing tension too! The value of breathing throughout your practice can not be over-emphasized.

7. Enjoy! Yoga is fun. Don't worry! Move with the breath and tune in to the natural grace of your body. Focus on your own practice, this is where the joy is; it will allow others to do the same.