Frequently Asked Questions
Yoga is one of the great systems of Indian philosophy. It incorporates a range of practices from meditation, chanting, devotion and study to physical postures and breath control. Most of the yoga we teach at Yoga Junction comes under the umbrella term of ‘Hatha’ Yoga. Hatha Yoga specifically involves physical postures and breath control and meditation to purify and strengthen the body systems and focus the mind. There are many different syles of Hatha Yoga (Iyengar, Astanga, Viniyoga, Sivananda etc.) Where the timetable says simply Hatha Yoga this means it is a class in the classical tradition of Hatha Yoga and does not follow an particular ‘Guru’ or teacher. The ultimate goal of all forms of yoga is self-realisation, to help you discover your true nature.
The regular practice of yoga can have a profound effect on your physical and mental state and whether you reach a state of self-realisation or not practising yoga can help:
- Build strength and Increase flexibility
- Promote calm and relaxation
- Relieve tension and Improve concentration
- Boost energy
- Develop stamina
- Enhance body awareness and improve posture
Yoga has also been shown to help alleviate many common complaints such as insomnia, anxiety, IBS, digestive disorders, PMS, stress, backache and headaches. It makes you feel better, live better and age gracefully.
Yoga is a spiritual discipline which has its origins in both orthodox and non-orthodox systems of Indian thought and religion. We teach yoga as a doctrinally neutral system of personal and spiritual development, appropriate for anyone with or without religious beliefs. The key text for our work is the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali.
Yoga postures can be adapted for most conditions. We would be happy to discuss the most appropriate classes for you. If you do come to a class and you have any injuries or health problems, please inform the teacher before the class begins.
We’d advise you not to eat for at least an hour before class and even an hour may not be enough to digest a heavy meal. It can be very uncomfortable to practise yoga with a full stomach.
Generally it is important to drink enough water if you are exercising. We do not recommend drinking water during yoga practice as this is traditionally thought to negate some of the benefits of practicing asana (postures). So we discourage bringing bottles of water into the class but positively encourage you to make sure you have some water after a class (ideally room temperature and about 15-30 mins after practice.).
We’d advise you not to eat for at least an hour before class and even an hour may not be enough to digest a heavy meal. It can be very uncomfortable to practise yoga with a full stomach.
Generally it is important to drink enough water if you are exercising. We do not recommend drinking water during yoga practice as this is traditionally thought to negate some of the benefits of practicing asana (postures). So we discourage bringing bottles of water into the class but positively encourage you to make sure you have some water after a class (ideally room temperature and about 15-30 mins after practice.).
Pilates is a low-impact exercise method that focuses on strengthening and elongating the body, with a particular emphasis on core strength. It involves a series of controlled movements and poses, often performed on a mat or with specialized equipment like a Reformer or Cadillac. Pilates is known for improving posture, balance, flexibility, and overall fitness.