Yoga studios: how to choose a home for yoga and meditation

 

If you are new to yoga, or are new to the area and looking for a new studio to call home, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a yoga studio. With the increase in the popularity of yoga, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of yoga studios as well as exercise facilities that have begun to offer yoga instruction. Since yoga is an unregulated field at this time, it is important to know how to navigate the sea of ​​yoga teachers, ensuring your safety, comfort and success. Everyone can do yoga, but there may be associated health risks. With the same care that you would put in selecting a health professional, you should put in selecting a yoga professional.

How to start

When you start looking for a yoga studio, you will want to clarify what your intention is to do yoga. Most studies will report that students start yoga because they want more physical conditioning. Others come because they seek a deeper integration between their body and spirit, seeking to work on the internal aspects of physical practices. Others come because they are healing from another sports injury and recognize that yoga can be safe and improve your endurance, flexibility, and strength. Take a moment to answer the question, "Why do I do yoga? What do I want from my yoga practice?"

Add caption

Why so many different types?

Yoga is an ancient practice. As it has developed over the years, different yoga practitioners have created their own styles. Today, it is important to know which styles will match what you want from your yoga practice, and which style will keep you safe from injury. For example, what styles will ensure that your alignment is correct and that you are practicing according to your level of fitness; or what styles are purely for physical exercise, rather than connecting the physical with the spiritual.

Ashtanga classes are based on a series of poses, often practiced at a vigorous pace, that emphasize continuity of movement and purification.

The Bikram class consists of the same 26 poses practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees with a humidity level of around 60 percent.

Iyengar classes focus on the precision and correct alignment of each pose. Accessories are used to aid alignment. Iyengar yoga is one of the most popular forms of yoga in the US, and many different styles of yoga include Iyengar principles.

Kripalu's classes are extremely smooth and focus on mind and body awareness. Kripalu practitioners emphasize the meditative aspect of asanas.

Kundalini classes emphasize rapid breathing techniques, chanting, and mantra meditation. The goal is to open and awaken the kundalini energy stored at the base of the spine.

Power Yoga classes feature a westernized version of ashtanga yoga. Rather than a series of poses, classes vary from day to day and study to study.

Purna yoga classes feature Iyengar's precision and alignment while providing a smooth physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual awareness to the student that facilitates personal growth. This approach to yoga takes wisdom from the past and updates it for the future, providing students with real tools for a healthy life.

Viniyoga classes present a soft and holistic approach to yoga. There is some flow involved, but the pace is much slower than other classes.