What are the benefits of Yoga practice?

You can expect to be physically challenged and that your body will become fitter and stronger. Yoga affects the various systems of the body – the nervous, endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, digestive systems etc. – so your body will function better all round. Yoga will also facilitate the purification process – releasing toxins from the body through perspiration, respiration and improved organ function.

However, you can also expect to notice changes to your mind and emotions. Your body stores memories of your life experiences, so Yoga can help you resolve past hurts and disappointments.

Everyone will experience the transformative power of Yoga differently.

Even beginners will experience the immediate benefits of Yoga – relaxation, calmness, energy and improvements in health. Practice over time multiplies these benefits and brings as increasingly deeper awareness of our ability to heal ourselves – body, mind and being – and unite these three aspects of ourselves — the ultimate aim of Yoga.

If you have experienced benefits yourself, please share them by commenting below…

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Beginners

If you’re new to Yoga, here is some guidance you might find helpful.

Ten Toes FAQs

Beginners Yoga Course

Do I have to do a Beginners Course?
The Ten Toes beginners course is designed to include all the things we wish we had been told when we started practising Yoga!  It is not a prerequisite for joining other Ten Toes classes, so if there isn’t a course scheduled that works for you, don’t let that stop you.  If you can make it to a Beginners Course, however, you’ll be doing yourself a favour – graduates of our Beginners Yoga course move into regular Yoga Flow classes very easily and look like they’ve been practising for years!  The course will cover all the Yoga basics: foundation Yoga poses, correct breathing, valuable deep relaxation techniques.  Read more about the Beginners Yoga course.

I can’t make it to a Beginners Course. Which class should I come to?
Yoga Flow classes are our mixed-level-everybody-is-welcome classes, so start there. There are plenty on the timetable, spread all through the week and all three studios. If you’ve never done Yoga before you might find it challenging to follow along the first couple of times, but you’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll learn what “Down Dog” and “Cow-Cat” etc. mean! Although the Beginners Course fast-tracks this process and offers a thorough foundation, you’ll pick up what you need to know in Yoga Flow classes over time.

I am pregnant and would like to start practising Yoga. What is the best way?
The Ten Toes Pregnancy Yoga classes are designed to suit both beginners and experienced Yoginis, so start there once you are in your Second Trimester.  We don’t recommend starting anything new during first trimester.  If you have been practising Yoga regularly, it is okay to continue your practice, but tune into your body and approach your practice with a sense of self-love and nurturing.  (It is already working very hard!)  Click here for more Pregnancy Yoga guidance.

What benefits can I expect?
You can expect to be physically challenged and that your body will become fitter and stronger. Yoga affects the various systems of the body – the nervous, endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, digestive systems etc. – so your body will function better all round. Yoga will also facilitate the purification process – releasing toxins from the body through perspiration, respiration and improved organ function.

However, you can also expect to notice changes to your mind and emotions. Your body stores memories of your life experiences, so Yoga can help you resolve past hurts and disappointments.

Everyone will experience the transformative power of Yoga differently.

Even beginners will experience the immediate benefits of Yoga – relaxation, calmness, energy and improvements in health. Practice over time multiplies these benefits and brings as increasingly deeper awareness of our ability to heal ourselves – body, mind and being – and unite these three aspects of ourselves — the ultimate aim of Yoga.

What happens in a Yoga class?
Students enter the studio with bare feet (there is a place to leave your shoes) and sit or lie quietly on a mat until class begins. This time is helpful to begin quietening your mind and focusing on the present moment.

Each class will start with some kind of gentle warm up to get the body moving. The teacher will guide you through various exercises and poses (also sometimes called ‘postures’ or ‘asanas’), to work on different areas or systems of the body. S/he will often give directions about how to correct or improve the pose and explain the benefits the pose will bring. Some poses will be done standing up, others sitting or lying.

Class usually ends with a relaxation. This may be guided by the teacher or silently or with music.

Teachers will be available after class to answer any questions you may have.

Reading the Yoga Class Guidelines will also be helpful.

How do I know which class is right for me?
The best way to work this out is to try some. Here are a couple of places to start:

• We recommend the Yoga Course for Beginners as a good place to start. You will learn foundation yoga postures (called “asanas”) and breathing techniques as well as deep relaxation strategies. By the end of the six week course, you’ll feel ready to join a regular class!
• Read the Yoga Class Descriptions page to see which class’ approach appeals to you.  Yoga Flow classes are our mixed-level-everybody-is-welcome class, so they are the usual starting point for those who aren’t able to join a Beginners Course.
• Phone Rachel or one of the other teachers to talk about why you’re interested in Yoga. We will be happy to make suggestions about what might suit you.

Avoid Power Yoga and Hot Yoga Classes until you’ve had a chance to learn the basics or you risk feeling overwhelmed or injuring yourself.

Start by choosing a class that fits into your regular routine. We recommend attending the same class three times before deciding whether or not you like it, so we created the Intro Pass for newcomers — 3 classes for $20 (valid 2 weeks).

Please check with your health care practitioner before starting any new diet or exercise.

Do I need to be flexible to do Yoga?
No. If you’re not naturally flexible, this is a gentle way to become so. You’ll be surprised how much more comfortable you can be in your body.

Everyone’s flexibility and strength will vary from day to day and at different times of day. Practise listening to your body – you’ll find that exercises and postures can feel different each time you do them! You’ll learn to find the balance between working hard (so that you get results) and not straining your body (to stay safe).

What is the difference between all the different types of Yoga?
Many schools of Yoga have developed over time, usually around a particular teacher who has agreed to take students and share the teachings. In recent times, Yoga teachings have reached the West. Some of the more commonly known types of Yoga are: Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Iyengar Yoga.

While the postures and exercises might differ in style, pace or composition, each style has the same goal of uniting body, mind and spirit. In fact, the word ‘yoga’ means ‘union’. Some styles put postures together in a flowing sequence, while others treat postures and exercises more discretely. Some styles emphasise breathing techniques, while others focus on accuracy of the pose.

Many Ten Toes classes are “Vinyasa Yoga” style, which simply means that poses are put together in flowing sequences.

Is Yoga a religion?
Yoga is a science – a technology. Everything is made up of energy (scientific fact). Yoga works with energy in the body to bring health and wellbeing. You don’t need to believe in a particular god (or any god at all!) or belong to a religion.

The principles of Yoga can be applied by everyone regardless of race, gender, belief or culture.

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