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BEGINNERS START HERE

It’s common for us to hear from new students “I’m not flexible”….great news! Yoga helps with that! Starting something new can feel intimidating but at Zuda we embrace ALL BODIES. Here are a few tips to help set your up for success for your first yoga class!

NEW STUDENT TIPS:

show up prepared.

WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR FIRST YOGA CLASS:
Bring a yoga mat, a small sweat towel, and water to every class. For less than the cost of a pair of running shoes, you can invest in a quality mat that will last many years. Towels help put a hygienic layer underneath you, can be used to cover your eyes in savasana and add traction during postures. Drink water before, during, and after class! Bring a refillable canteen. We have mats, towels and special mat towels available to rent if needed.

CLAIM YOUR SPOT.

SETTING UP FOR CLASS:
It’s most important that you’re comfortable where you are. Getting to class 15 minutes early will help you do this. If some of our evening classes are too crowded for you, consider other sessions. Daytime classes are typically less crowded. When you’re starting out, setting up in the second to last row is ideal. This way while you’re getting to know the poses you may find hints in all directions. Don’t worry about knowing all the poses just yet…it will come.

IT’S GOING TO BE HOT.

WHY WE WARM THE ROOM:
The studio is kept at between 85ºF to 95ºF. Heat helps the detoxification process and helps warm up your muscles. Give yourself as many classes as you need to adjust to the heat…and learn to embrace being sweaty. Most have come to associate “Bikram Yoga” as “hot yoga”, we don’t heat our room quite that high, but we do practice Power Vinyasa Yoga in a heated space. It may take time to get used to it…and many will come to love it!

GIVE YOUR BAGGY CLOTHES A DAY OFF.

WHAT TO WEAR TO YOGA CLASS:
Wear clothes that are comfortable and move freely. Loose clothes are bound to end up around your head rather than around your body. Cotton isn’t the best choice as it gets heavy and clingy when wet — and by wet, we mean sweaty.

GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF IN CLASS:
During any class, feel free to take a rest. Go ahead – lie down on your back or belly. Believe it or not: Whether you are a new yoga student or you’ve been practicing for many years, resting is a sign of strength and often gives others permission to do the same.

START WHERE YOU ARE.

HOW TO LEARN TO PRACTICE YOGA:
Most students need around 10 classes to find a rhythm! You may need more or less, and that’s ok. There isn’t a right or wrong in this practice, it’s just an opportunity to explore your body. The poses may look different on your body than someone else’s but you could both be getting equal benefit. Just keep showing up with an open mind, and let the yoga do the rest!

POWER VINYASA YOGA FAQ

You are always welcome to try any class at ZUDA, including an all levels class. Both basics and All Levels classes are challenging in their own way. A Basics Class will have fewer poses, longer holds, and a slightly slower pace. An all levels may have more, shapes the pace may be slightly more swift. It you are new and attend an all levels just simply do what you can and rest if you need. Some may find the strength of long holds in a basics class more challenging. Try them both out to see what lands!
You don’t have to, but we will see when you sign up if it is your first visit. Our desk staff and teachers try to do our best to introduce ourselves and be sure you find your way around. If for some reason we miss the que in our system…please feel free to introduce yourself. It helps us to offer more modifications in class if we know there are new students. Plus it’s nice to get to know a new face!
There’s a lot of options. You can start by taking a Livestream class from home. Another great way is to look for one of our Yoga 101 workshops which happen every few months. We also have a beginner series which is 6 classes over 3 weeks to really get a good foundation. Check our workshops page periodically to see if there’s any coming up. Lastly, you can always take a private lesson or two. Our experienced teachers will be able to guide you through your own personal modifications and get you ready to take any class, and still practice in a way that suits your physical needs. Email info@zudayogaeast.com for more questions.

All yoga is derived from the same ancient source, but there are some key differences in styles.

Power Vinyasa is a dynamic and physical yoga where students move and flow from posture to posture. This movement introduces a cardiovascular element to the practice. A Vinyasa practice reminds us that life and everything around us is temporal and subject to change.

Bikram yoga, developed by Bikram Choudhury, is composed of 26 copyrighted postures that are each done twice in a practice. A Bikram studio is characterized by heat, 105 F, and by mirrors, as the student is encouraged to check alignment.

A Vinyasa practice varies from class to class. As a derivative of Ashtanga yoga, it uses Sun Salutations A and B as a base. There are no mirrors in the studio because students are taught to feel their practice and focus on self-awareness. At ZUDA, we keep the studios around 85 – 95 degrees F.

We get it, it sounds a little nuts. Most new students come in with the idea that the heat will be unbearable, and go on to find it a necessity to their yoga practice. Everyone is different, but the idea of it is typically worse than the reality. On of the things yoga teaches us is “Tapas” which means to stay in our fire…or discipline. this is just one of the MANY benefits of the heat. Our infrared panels actually heat muscle and fat tissue which purges your system, and alleviates pain and toxins from the body. The heat also helps your muscles loosen up. At the end of the day, the worst that can happen is you don’t get used to it and leave. At best you come to LOVE it and crave the sweat.

We do have a few classes that aren’t heated. Look for Yin Yoga, and our New Himalayan Kundalini classes.

ARE YOU READY TO BEGIN?

NEW STUDENTS GET 4 WEEKS OF UNLIMITED YOGA FOR $40!

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