What is the difference between Hatha and other types of yoga?
All types of physical forms of yoga, strictly speaking, are Hatha yoga, but these days Hatha has come to suggest the less dynamic forms of yoga. So Hatha has come to represent a general type of yoga that is on the gentle side and not too gymnastic.
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What kind of clothing should I wear for yoga?
The choice of clothing usually depends on the type of yoga you are doing. The more dynamic forms of yoga will require something close fitting in order to move freely. The gentle styles allow you to wear something more comfortable and loose. What it really comes down to, however, is a question of personal choice. One thing that I would recommend is to wear a top that you can keep on until you warm up and that you can put on at the end of a class, especially for relaxation.
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How often should I practice yoga?
At first you will probably find that once a week is enough. I would say that the majority of people practice between one and three times a week. But what you usually find is that the more you practice the more you want to practice. I would say that you should enjoy a regular practice and allow it to build. One thing I will say is don't beat yourself up or feel guilty if you lapse, as that is definitely not what yoga is about.
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Will I lose weight from doing yoga?
If you do the more rigorous types of yoga that burn calories you will definitely lose weight. For me, the main advantage of yoga regarding weight loss is the way it starts to balance out the whole body as well as the mind. This in turn has the possibility to re-programme the body for longer results than just a quick weight-loss program.
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How long should I wait to do yoga after I eat?
The standard answer is two hours for obvious reasons, but depending on the yoga you are doing, what you are eating and how hungry you are I would say it is up to you, but be sensible. Most people that have been doing yoga for a while have made the mistake of eating too close to doing a practice and have experienced stomach cramps. Sometimes the best way to learn is by your own experience.
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Can I do yoga with a bad back?
There are many different types of back problems, so always seek medical advice first. I have worked with many people who have improved their backs through yoga. But I have also seen many people damage their backs through yoga unintelligently practiced. When approached intelligently, yoga strengthens the core – the natural support of the body – and can release tension that many of us hold in our backs. The main part of the practice to watch out for, as potentially putting too much strain on the lower back, is back bends. The body isn't designed to bend backwards as part of our normal range of movement, so these motions should be practiced with care. Don't work through pain in the back – 'no pain no gain' does not apply here. And if experiencing any form of regular discomfort, once again, seek the advice of your doctor or osteopath.
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Do I have to be flexible to do yoga?
Definitely not, anybody can do yoga, but the thing is not just any yoga. Make sure that you chose a type of yoga that is right for you or better still is to find a teacher who can work with your individual needs. The important thing to remember is yoga is not a stretch class, but has the potential to go much further than that, as you start to release the deep conditioning within the body and start to build an understanding of it. This can be done whether you are flexible or not.
When starting yoga the most important thing to remember is your breathing. Please click here for an introduction to the breath.
