What to Expect in a Yoga Class

Om Shala Yoga, like most yoga studios, is a shoe-free zone. Yoga is traditionally practiced in bare feet on a rubber mat. If you have a medical condition so that you need to wear shoes, please don't feel uncomfortable about it! Just let us know and give your shoes a good rubbing on the doormat before entering.

The teacher may talk to you before or during class about your physical history, experience with yoga, injuries, etc. If you would rather do this in private, our teachers will be available in the lounge before class, so feel free to talk to them then. It's always advisable to let the teacher know about any physical issues you may have so that they can structure the poses to fit your needs.

A yoga pose is simply a position you take with the body. Sometimes they are called "postures." The Sanskrit word for a yoga pose is "asana." [AH-suh-nuh]. Poses are designed to give the body and mind maximum benefit. Doing yoga is called "practicing," and a yoga class is also called a "practice." Poses range from very simple to Cirque du Soleil – but, contrary to what is featured in the media, the majority of them are attainable for most bodies.

During your practice, the teacher will lead you through a variety of yoga poses, with directions for proper alignment of the body. Depending on the teacher, he or she may also offer breathing directions, lead you through a relaxing visualization, or play music. Some teachers are very conversational, with questions and answers as part of the class; other teachers lead a more guided practice, while they walk through the class and work with each student individually as they teach. Some practices are very slow and methodical and focus on a few specific poses, while others may flow and move through more poses with less emphasis on each pose. Some classes will focus more on relaxation, while others will give you a more physical work-out.

If you'd like to find out more about a specific class or teacher, feel free to call the studio and ask, or drop an email. We would love to help you find a class and/or teacher that is a good fit for you.

Classes traditionally end with a rest pose, in which you lie on your back on the mat and just relax for anywhere from 3-10 minutes. The Sanskrit term for this pose is Savasana [sha-VAH-sah-na]. This pose is all about comfort and rest, so if lying on your back is not comfortable for you, let the teacher know! He or she will offer modifications. A simple Savasana modification that you can do yourself is to roll up two yoga blankets, available for use at the studio, and slide them underneath your knees.

To close class, it is traditional for the teacher to say "Namasté" and for the class to repeat it back to the teacher. "Namaste" translates loosely to mean "The light in me recognizes and bows to the light in you." It's a way of acknowledging that we are all part of the same beautiful, united whole.

More information for yoga beginners can be found on these pages: