WELCOME LETTER
Dear Students,
I would like to welcome you on your new journey toward developing your Yoga practice. With continued practice it will be self evident that you have discovered the most powerful physical development and personal growth instrument on Earth :)
In your first few classes you will begin to realize many of the countless benefits of a consistent practice of Yoga.
After your first class try to return the next day. Your first class will awaken your body and returning quickly will allow you to practice with an open and receptive body. Most students find their second class to be much easier than their first. As you become familiar with the postures you will be much more relaxed and easy in your practice. For this reason try to come at least 4 or 5 times in your first 10 days. The more you come in the first 10 days the more you will feel the physical, mental and emotional benefits of your new journey.
Drink a lot of water each day throughout the day in addition to replacing the water you lose during class. There are pauses in class where you will be able to drink water but if you start class dehydrated it is impossible to catch up.
Most people find that they need to leave 2-3 hours between their meal and class. However, if you find you need a snack - try a piece of fruit or something light about an hour before class. With time you will discover for yourself what is best. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different routines.
With practice your ability to focus and be still will improve. This will advance your Yoga practice tremendously and reduce your struggle physically and mentally. Extra movements waste energy and take you out of your practice.
Wiping sweat is distracting to your practice and to the stillness of the entire class. Removing perspiration also GREATLY increases your water loss during the class. Perspiration is normal, sweating is a sign of good health as it regulates the temperature of the brain.
If you feel light-headed or nauseous, then please sit or lie down. There is nothing wrong with missing a posture while your light-headedness or nausea subsides. If you absolutely must leave the room do so quietly and respectfully, and please return as soon as possible.
No one is going to judge you or criticize you. Other students are too focused on themselves to notice you. As long as you give your best effort, and attempt all the poses as instructed, you will get as much benefit out of your practice as a student doing the same posture with a greater degree of flexibility, strength and balance. Your instructor may, from time to time, and always in a respectful and supportive manner, offer a suggestion or an adjustment that will carry you deeper into a posture. As you continue your practice you will become more comfortable with yourself and your personal Yoga journey.
Let go of any preconceived notions and enter each class like it is your first class. Your body is different every day, and it is normal for the class or certain postures to be easy one day and difficult the next. Please do not be discouraged and think that something is wrong if you have a difficult class. Often your best class will be followed by your worst and vice-versa.
You may feel angry or happy and even laugh or cry in class sometimes. Through Yoga you will discover that the body, mind and emotions are connected. By entering the body through Yoga you may find that you stir up strong emotions. Tears may flow, laughter may come, or anger may swell. Nothing is wrong and the emotions will soon release from the body. Sometimes you will have an idea of what the emotions are about, but whether you do or do not try not to ruminate on meaning, lose your stillness, or stop your practice. Yoga is cleansing on many levels.
Many people experience flashes of light, electrical impulses, or unusual body sensation in certain postures. These are all normal. Old injuries may also re-emerge as aches or dull pain as you are working through those injured areas. This is part of the healing process, and if you learn to listen to your body you will quickly be able to distinguish between the pain of re-injury and the sensation of stretching. Overcoming fear is a milestone that everyone must face as they develop their Yoga practice. (Always check with your doctor if you have medical concerns.)
It is very normal to feel nauseous and dizzy when you are recovering from being sick. This is especially true if you took medication. Your first class back should be approached slowly; don’t rush or push. Lie down if you feel dizzy. Although your first class back will likely be uncomfortable it will often speed up your recovery.
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Entering class constantly late or leaving before class is over is very disruptive and disrespectful to others, and also to your nervous system. If you do arrive a few minutes late, take a breath and enter the room slowly and quietly. Find a spot in the room that is respectful to others. Consider being prompt as a part of your practice.
Learn to completely relax at the end of your practice. Final relaxation is a critical part of your practice. You have stretched muscles, compressed organs, and sent an uncountable amount of information to the nervous system. Allow the body to recover and the nervous system to integrate the information it has received. This can often be the hardest part of your practice. If you learn to relax after class you will also learn to relax outside of the studio. Conversely if you are finding it difficult to relax after class this is symptomatic of a problem relaxing outside of the studio.
See you on the Yoga mat!
Tomasz