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Considering attempting this 5000 year old practice that has somehow become a modern phenomenon? Nervous? Don’t be. Here are a few secrets to know before you jump in.  Photo Credit: Freckle and Spot Photography 1) What To WearBack in 2000, when I first began exploring Yoga, I would show up for classes in anything from whatever I had worn to class that day to my running shorts and a tank. "Active Wear" was not a thing. It wasn't until I started attending classes at a local gym that I began to seek out clothing that would better allow me to stretch out and bend my body. There's no need to go shopping for the "right" clothing to wear to your first Yoga class. Wear whatever you feel most comfortable in. Sweatpants and a tee-shirt, leggings and a hoodie, or you skiing baselayer will all work. Make sure that your clothes fit well enough not to accidentally expose anything and double check for holes in the wrong places. A little hint: before you choose those tights you ordered online, do a forward fold with a mirror behind you and make sure they aren't too revealing.  Using tools to support postures. 2) What to BringYou don't need any special tools to do Yoga. In fact, Yoga mats are a modern phenomenon. It wasn't until B.K.S. Iyengar came onto the scene that things like blocks, straps and bolsters became synonymous with the practice of Asana. Most studios will rent or allow you to borrow a mat. A well managed studio will have sanitized mats and tools for use. Don't buy a mat until you've decided the style of practice you enjoy and the type of mat that will best serve you. During class, if you are in need of some extra support, a good teacher will notice and provide you with assistance, a variation on the posture or improvise a tool. You should feel comfortable asking, "Am I doing this correctly?" or saying, "I'm not sure I've got this posture set up correctly." Bring water and, if you have long hair, tie it back so that it is not a distraction during the class. How you look while you are doing Yoga is of little importance compared to how you feel.  Listening and Learning 3) What to DoObservation is the key to learning anything. If you are just beginning practicing Yoga feel free to look at the teacher and around the room. This is not so you can compare yourself and attempt to be like everyone else, but more so to gather information and decide if this is the right place for you to be. We all get uncomfortable when outside of our elements, and a Yoga Asana class can certainly make you feel like you are on a different planet. The only way to learn more about what to do is to observe. A good teacher will not only demonstrate the postures, but describe them well. Watch, listen and do your best to follow the instructions. The more you do, the more comfortable you will become.  Partnering Up to Access a Pose 4) What to SayPersonally, I like it when the studio is buzzing with conversation before I begin teaching. I think it is important to meet the people with whom you are sharing the room and the class. This helps everyone feel more comfortable practicing and helps to eliminate the "silent competition" that can be created when people do not talk to each other. I also think it is important to ask questions. If the class you attend begins with a chant or invocation ask what it means and why it is being done. If there is any sort of saying, expected practice or movements that everyone seems to know and join the only way you will learn is to ask why and how. If you're considering attending a Yoga Asana class or want to know about what to expect when you join in contact us or book an Evaluative Session with Jenay to learn more.
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Lessons Learned in the Bahamas: Always carry a MacheteAny job can be made easier if you choose the correct tools. On a trip in the Bahamas I decided to collect various coconuts in order to experience the difference between young coconut water and the meat of a mature coconut. I did my research and knew what to look for, then went around the area collecting. When it came time to open the coconuts I discovered that the only tools available to do so were kitchen knives. Oh how a machete would have made a difference! After hours of whacking, smashing, shaving, and cutting, I opened all of the coconuts and was able to enjoy the fruits of my labor. Had I a machete, the work would have taken one quarter the time.  How to Practice Hatha YogaHatha Yoga focuses on the practice of asana, pranayama and kriya. It is the most popular practice in the United States. As a result, there are hundreds of companies selling products to help you improve your practice. Traditionally, there are just 3 tools you need in order to practice Yoga everywhere: your body, your breath and your mind. However, being able to create a space and access poses with ease often requires some assistance. When you don't have your instructor near, a few tools can change everything.  Tahoe Yoga Tools: A Unique Souvenier Over time we have tested a variety of asana tools. Due to our small retail space, we carry very few. Those that are on our shelves have been tested and proven. These are the tools we use in our studio and the ones we recommend for you to use during your practice. Manduka Mats stay clean, show little wear (over years of use) and are easy to clean. Our foam blocks are lightweight which make them durable and easy to toss to the side, or lift over head. We also get a pretty sweet bulk discount from Yoga Outlet. Our Yoga Straps are sold exclusively in the studio. Our director, Jenay, makes them from organic cotton and YKK clips. You won't find these anywhere else. The same goes for our Lavender Eye Sachets. Filled with organic lavender and buckwheat, they are unique to LTY.  Support Your Self, Support Small BusinessAs you begin to practice Hatha Yoga more seriously, consider the tools with which you approach your practice. Consider the source and the quality. Consider for whom you practice. Join us for a class and gain more than just awareness. Develop the physical skills to access deeper areas of your own body. Lengthen your breath and become aware of your emotions. Learn to listen to the chatter in your mind and quiet the unnecessary thoughts. Do so with the correct tools and you will develop a stronger practice. Pratyahara Package1 Manduka eKO Mat
2 Foam Blocks 1 Yoga Strap OR Eye Sachet $110 Contact us to purchase: [email protected] |
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Lake Tahoe Yoga Studio, School & Retreats
Discover Your Self ™
Zephyr Cove, NV, 89448
(775)580-7224
Design, Graphics and Photos by Jenay
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Lake Tahoe Yoga Studio, School & Retreats
Discover Your Self ™
Zephyr Cove, NV, 89448
(775)580-7224
Design, Graphics and Photos by Jenay
Except as permitted by the copyright law applicable to you, you may not reproduce or communicate any of the content on this website, including files downloadable from this website, without the permission of the copyright owner.
The US Copyright Act allows certain uses of content from the internet without the copyright owner’s permission. This includes uses by educational institutions and by Commonwealth and State governments, provided fair compensation is paid. For more information, see https://www.copyright.gov/title17/title17.pdf.
The owners of copyright in the content on this website may receive compensation for the use of their content by educational institutions and governments, including from licensing schemes managed by Copyright Agency.
We may change these terms of use from time to time. Check before re-using any content from this website.
Lake Tahoe Yoga. Tahoe's premier Yoga studio offering classes, private sessions, paddle yoga. beach yoga, baby and me, prenatal, alignment, vinyasa, athletic, workout, fitness, stillwater, Mindbody, teacher training, Yoga alliance, yoga therapy, bachelorette party, yoga instruction, om, aum, classes, fitness, wellness, active, exercise, athlete, stretch, flexibility, balance, mindful, meditation, restoration, yin, nidra, relaxation, breathing, pranayama, yoga sutra, yamas, niyamas, satya, ahimsa, brahmacharya, ishvara pranidhana, avidya, asteya, tapas, svadhyaya, jnana, aparigraha, wellness, outdoor yoga, corporate yoga, mountain pose, downward dog, asana, practice, tantra, hatha, raja, rajahatha, workshop, yoga workshop, vacation, ayurveda, pitta, vata, kapha, yoga om, omni, yoga shala, yoga for health, accessible yoga, partner yoga, yoga for athletes, yoga for fitness, flexibility, health, wellness, mindfulness, private yoga teacher, private yoga classes, private yoga instruction, downward dog, yoga streches, yoga for kids, yoga Tahoe, south lake Tahoe yoga, south Tahoe yoga, yoga south Tahoe, class pass, wedding yoga, senior yoga, healing, healthcare, yoga near me