Before and after yoga
Yoga has a naturally therapeutic and beneficial effect on your physical, mental and spiritual health.
Injuries
Please let the teacher know if you have any injuries, pains or had surgery that may be relevant to yoga practice. It could be anything: knee pain, back problems, high blood-pressure etc.
Pregnancy
Please inform the teacher if you are pregnant.
Eating and yoga
To avoid poor digestion, it’s highly recommended not to eat from 2 hours prior to yoga practice. If you are very hungry, have something light such as a fruit. As a rule: never practice yoga if you are too hungry, or too full! It’s also highly recommended to not drink within 30 minutes before, or during yoga practice. Furthermore it’s recommended to wait 30-45 before eating and drinking after yoga, to allow your mind and body to assimilate relaxation or shavasana.
Equipment
Wear clean and comfortable clothes made of natural fibres. Practice yoga barefoot and remove jewellery and watches. We provide yoga mats and pillows to use during classes, though you are welcome to bring your own mat if you prefer. It may also be useful to bring a towel and a blanket or shawl (for meditation and relaxation).
Incense
Please avoid wearing perfume during yoga practice, to help your breathing and as a courtesy to fellow students. We use incense in the studio to cleanse the air and steady the energy in the room.
Hygiene
If you can, have a refreshing shower before yoga, or wash your hands, feet and face. You should not smoke before yoga. After practice, leave the sweat on your body so that the skin can re-absorb the eliminated hormones and minerals.
Silence
Please respect the silence in the yoga room especially if you arrive after the class has started. If you are a bit late, simply find yourself a mat and lie down in relaxation, so as to calm your mind and body before yoga.
Menstrual cycle
Respect the cycle of the body, and take it easy during your period. During the first days of menstruation avoid intense practice and especially inverse postures such as head- and shoulder stand. Also avoid intense belly movements such as in navasana (the boat) as well as strong backward bends and twists. Let the teacher know, and you will be given adapted postures.
Listen to yourself
Remember that it is your yoga practice and your body. Be patient and mindful. Do differentiate between ambition and enthusiasm. Meet your ambitions with calmness, curiosity and observation. Don’t push yourself too hard when pressing your body into postures. Listen to your body and get to know your own limits – respect yourself. Keep focusing on the essence of yoga practice: breathing and awareness.
Energy in movement
If you feel nauseous, have a headache or other complaints after yoga, it can be due to a variety of factors. Yoga postures or asanas stimulate many systems of the body, and elicit many processes, as for example, the elimination of toxins. When these toxins circulate through the body, you may experience physical effects. Other causes for feeling uncomfortable may be mental. Speak with the teacher for advice and guidance. It’s not abnormal to be emotional during or after yoga (sorrow, joy, anger, bliss, etc.). Observe arising and passing emotions and breathe!
