YOGA BENEFITS, ETIQUETTE, & FAQS

YOGA BENEFITS | YOGA ETIQUETTE | FAQS

If you have just enrolled in a local yoga class at Red Lotus Yoga, you have taken a positive step towards improving your health and well being! There are hundreds of different yoga styles and disciplines. Some are considered classic yoga while there are many other styles being adapted today for therapeutic reasons like overcoming back pain and stress. There is a style for EveryBODY bringing you a wide range of health benefits.

It is very important you read through our class descriptions and pick the right yoga class for you. We encourage you to start with a Basic Yoga or Gentle Yoga class as they are the most accessible. More challenging classes include Slow Flow, Slow Flow Vinyasa and Vinyasa...these yoga classes will have more heat and level of physical challenge.

Health Benefits of Yoga

After you have practiced yoga a few times you may start noticing the following health benefits:

Stress Relief

We know too much stress is bad for your body on all fronts. Yoga can bring your stress levels down through increased focus on breath, body movement, and various states of meditation. Studies show stress reduction lowers blood pressure, relieves headaches, improves sleep quality, and boosts mood for people suffering depression and anxiety. It can also help control diet causing weight loss and many many more benefits.

Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Cancer Help

Classic yoga styles have also been shown to provide therapeutic health benefits that support people as they work through a wide variety of chronic diseases. Yoga can lower your stress, reduce inflammation, and improve nerve communication. Thanks to better nerve communication, you will enjoy increased focus on the body-mind connection.

Improved Strength, Flexibility, and Balance

You can stretch and work practically every muscle and system in your body both gently and thoroughly. This is helpful for people who want to improve overall fitness. It also helps you avoid injuries by improving your balance and coordination. Yoga is also a great support for other sports like running, cycling, weightlifting, golf and more!

Weight Loss

Combining physical exercise with meditation helps address emotional issues associated with eating and nutrition. This is therapeutic for yogis who want to lose weight.

Talk with your health provider about how taking a class at Red Lotus Yoga could improve your health and wellness! After even a single class, you may begin to notice a calmness of mind and feel new stretching in muscles you forgot you had!

Yoga Etiquette

Yoga has been around for thousands of years. It's been practiced in spiritual settings as a form of meditation, incorporated into gym classes, done on mountain sides and even in the space of one's own home. In recent years, yoga has even become a favorite pastime at work! You don't need to develop a yogi lifestyle to enjoy the many benefits of the practice. For those who are new to this spiritual and physical practice, there are several things you should know about your first yoga class at Red Lotus Yoga.

Let your yoga instructor know this is your first class. Explain to them any physical limitations like knee, back or neck pain. Invite him or her to assist your poses as needed during the course. It's the best way to prevent injury. If you are still nervous, go ahead and take a spot in the middle of the class. As your instructor announces the next pose, stall half a second and wait for others to enter it. You can always follow the lead of other members of the class until you feel more confident.

If at any point you are feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to yourself and enter a relaxing pose. This will give you a chance to relax your muscles and reset your mind so you can start again and enjoy the spiritual and physical benefits of the practice.

Review the class descriptions and choose classes best suited for your level of fitness and experience...we often recommend a Basic Yoga class for new students.

yoga students in a downward facing dog pose at Red Lotus Yoga in rochester hills, mi

yoga instructor assisting a student in a yoga class at red lotus yoga

Experience Your First Yoga Class

The most important thing you need to know about a yoga class is you are welcome. As a rule, yoga is inclusive and inviting. As you enter your first class, expect classmates to say hello and expect your instructor to welcome you with open arms.

Leave your cell phone off or on silent and in another room. Yoga is a serene and spiritual practice. Don't bring the outside world in with you. Give others in your class the chance at relaxation and meditation they are seeking.
Wear something comfortable and appropriate. Read the class descriptions as to room temp and physicality to help you decide what to wear. As a guideline wear something you can move and bend in freely and that won't make a lot of noise as you shift from one pose to another.
In class we observe silence as much as possible. In addition to being a form of fitness it is a method of stress management. Give others in the class the chance to relax and engage in meditation during the class.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Everyone at Red Lotus Yoga also had a “first class," including your instructor! One way to gain confidence is to review our yoga class schedule online or call the studio at (248) 601-9642 and speak with the desk staff about what class will be right for you. Also arrive 15 minutes early to class and spend a few minutes with the instructor to discuss any concerns you may have. Our instructors are experienced and trained to confidently assist you during class. Consider positioning your mat near the middle of the room so you can see what the rest of the class is doing in addition to the instructor. If you are new to yoga, learning class etiquette and knowing what to expect from your first class may be overwhelming. Fortunately, we all remember our first yoga class.

Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about yoga.

Why Yoga?

Yoga is a mind-body exercise originating in India more than 5,000 years ago. While there are many styles of yoga, in general, every style includes postures (asanas), meditation, and breathing techniques (pranayama). With regular practice, yoga builds physical strength and flexibility while reducing stress and improving the mind-body connection. Simply turning off your electronics and the rest of your life for an hour provides a great relief from stress. The time spent on your mat can give fresh perspective on the balances you wish to achieve in life off the mat.

Yoga health benefits include reduced blood pressure, increased focus, a deeper spiritual mind/body connection, more energy, and better sleep at night. Many elements of yogic philosophy, such as loving kindness, compassion and non-judgment, may also influence an individual lifestyle as they adopt healthier habits and make more positive, life-affirming choices.

What to Bring

• A yoga mat
• If you do not have a yoga mat, you can rent one from us
• Comfortable clothes allowing you to move and flex freely and quietly
• Water to stay hydrated
• A positive attitude
• An open mind

What are the benefits of yoga?

Yoga benefits your body, mind, and spirit. You can expect improved strength, stamina, balance, and flexibility. Regular yoga practice reduces cholesterol and your body's aches and pains. For many, yoga is their best therapy. Yoga can reduce stress and improve sleep. The spiritual aspects of yoga affect each person differently, and can be quite profound.

I'm a beginner, what kind of class should I take?

The answer depends on your fitness goals and current physical condition. Please review the class schedule and description to pick a class best suited to your physical ability.

We often suggest a Basic Yoga class to help learn the poses and understand what your strengths lie.

What should I bring to class?

An open mind and a willingness to try something new and exciting. You may also want to bring a towel, bottle of water and a yoga mat. We have yoga mats for rent and sell bottled water as well:)

I'm pregnant, can I still do yoga?

Yes, but always check with your doctor first to be safe. The breathing while holding a difficult pose will teach you to be comfortable when uncomfortable, which is a nice skill to have when you go into labor. During your first and second trimester you can take most of our yoga classes and we offer prenatal yoga often taken in the later stages of your pregnancy or when you begin to show.

Do I need to be flexible to do yoga?

Not at all. Your flexibility will increase as you practice yoga

Why should I do yoga?

Yoga will improve your overall fitness level. Yoga also helps reduce stress. Consider your time in the yoga studio as "me time" where you get to shut out everything and take a break.

What is yoga like?

Answering this question is like trying to explain Ice Cream to someone who has never tasted it. It's something you just have to try. There are many styles of yoga and many different teachers making it hard to generalize. There are gentle yoga classes and rigorous yoga classes. Yoga is like meditation in motion where the mind, body and spirit come to play.

What should I wear to class?

Comfortable clothing allowing you to move and bend freely. Many yogis wear long, fitted, strechy pants and shirts that allow free movement of the arms and shoulders.

What do I need to know for my first class?

Please arrive about 15 minutes early. Please fill out the online waiver form.

Can children do yoga?

Yes. In fact, yoga offers great benefits to children including learning self-health and body awareness while reducing stress and increasing strength, stamina, mental focus, and flexibility. In addition we have yoga for kids every Saturday. If you have a child 12 years or older you can bring them to class with you

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