Yoga is a journey

Yoga is a lifelong journey. Honor where you are in the process whether it is right at the beginning or further along down the path. There is no “expert” or perfect practice. All your fellow yogis are experiencing their unique journeys and we are all unified in our warm attitudes and kindness. Yoga is all about acceptance. Acceptance of ourselves and of the world around us.

Yoga is not a competition

When we practice yoga, we are not competing with others. Yoga is a union of positive thoughts and compassion. While we take on many challenges in yoga, we also ask ourselves to let go of negativity when it presents itself. Instructors and other students can be helpful in guiding your practice but there is no judgement of better or worse. We are all exactly where we are supposed to be.

Be in the present moment

We strive to be in the present moment. You will often hear in yoga settings “Let go of what no longer serves you.” When we let go of the thoughts and struggles we carry around with us, we are able to open up to new possibilities. We are often asked to concentrate on our breathing and to take slow, deep breaths. This is one technique that will help you to calm your nerves and to get you into the present moment. There is another expression that helps clarify this idea – “The mind is the master of the senses and the breath is the master of the mind.”

Yoga is not a religion

While yoga often has a spiritual component, it is not a religion. It has evolved over thousands of years and includes teachings and ideas that are borrowed from a variety of traditions, folklore and religions but it is not a religion itself.

Yoga is not just exercise

Yoga classes are a combination of mind relaxation, physical movement, control of the breath and opening of the heart to the world around you. It is not purely a workout although it will challenge you and allow you to grow.