Frequently Asked Questions

Am I too old to practice Yoga?

Absolutely not, Yoga is a great mind - body health maintenance system with students of all ages taking part in daily practice.

What is Vinyasa Yoga?

Vinyasa is a Sanskrit word, which refers to breath and movement. For example each Yoga posture is matched by one breath. This is what you do when you perform Sun or Moon salutations, and these are also a form of Vinyasa Yoga.

So, any sequences of postures that are synchronized, with your breath are classified as Vinyasa. There are many forms of Vinyasa and even the gentle ones are vigorous. The postures are not held in a fixed position for long and classes flow with rhythm, similar to music.

The energy used in flowing from one movement, to the next, continues throughout a typical Vinyasa Yoga class. This type of Yoga class will challenge aerobic endurance, enhance flexibility, and build overall strength.

There are many variations of Vinyasa Yoga classes. Some are related to or offshoots of Ashtanga Yoga, some are very gentle, and others are variations of extended Sun or Moon sequences. The variety of Vinyasa classes is further expanded when you consider different sequences, pace of the class, and the temperature of the room.

What about heated Yoga classes; is this hot Yoga? The temperature can vary depending upon the policy of the Yoga studio.

At our wellness center in Attleboro, MA, the temperature can be near 80 Fahrenheit during winter months. During the summer months, we keep the temperature in the low 70’s. That is a far cry from a 105-degree hot Yoga or Bikram classes.

Most of the heat generated in a typical Vinyasa class is internal body heat. As a result of all this internal heat, you will most likely sweat. Therefore, bring a towel and a bottle of good quality water.

When used for personal health maintenance, Vinyasa Yoga is the ultimate cross training system, with low impact movement, aerobic, and muscle toning benefits. Your body will go through an incredible transformation, but it does require determination. This explains why Vinyasa Yoga attracts so many type A personalities.

Even if you don’t have a type A personality, it will rub off. As a "by product" of Vinyasa practice, your self-esteem will be improved. You will manage stress and develop a much more calm personality.

Now, where do you start? Find a local school with at least two levels of Vinyasa practice. If you have been on the couch for a while, it will be best to take some gentle Yoga classes first.

However, if you are very active, you may want to jump right in. You should have an honest talk with your Yoga teacher, before starting Vinyasa Yoga practice. It’s always best to be honest with yourself, about your level of fitness. Have fun, but do not push yourself, when you are in unfamiliar territory.

What kind of clothes should I wear for a Yoga class?

Any clothes that you find comfortable to stretch in are fine. Some Yoga practitioners prefer loose clothing like sweat pants, shorts, and tee shirts; while others prefer more snug Yoga wear.

Is Yoga a religion?

No, although there are some Yoga schools that mix the two: Yoga is not a religion. At AURA you can be guaranteed that your religious beliefs will not be infringed upon.

Will I learn to meditate?

Yes, meditation is an important part of Yoga practice. With meditation as part of the curriculum, Yoga is a very complete health maintenance system for mind and body.

Yoga looks intimidating; will I be expected to twist myself into a pretzel like the pictures I see in magazines?

No, Yoga practice is a gradual process and everyone has limits. However, with steady practice, you will amaze yourself in regards to improvements in strength, range of motion, and balance.

Will Yoga help me to lose weight?

Maybe, Hatha Yoga will definitely develop muscle tone without adding size. We have many success stories; for example: Marie, our Weight Loss Yoga teacher, has lost over 20 lbs in three months. Your practice can be gentle or vigorous depending on the pace of the class and how often you workout.

How does Yoga help a person cope with stress?

Books have been written on this very subject and I would suggest reading one if you are looking for the big picture. In short, Hatha Yoga has a combination of postures, breathing techniques, relaxation techniques, and meditation - which help to release the muscular tension created during our daily lives. This muscular tension creates head aches, back aches, hypertension, chest pains, and many more ailments. Yoga is a natural way to help your body and mind deal with this daily tension, which becomes stress.

What should be the ideal age to start yoga?

There is no ideal age for learning Yoga and there are many styles of Yoga, which focus on the many different aspects within such as Diet, Hygiene, Asanas (postures) for strength, Asanas for flexibility, Asanas for better health, Pranayama, Relaxation, Meditation, Enlightenment, and much more.

The fact is; anyone who can breathe can practice Yoga. Older Yoga students will be more familiar with their bodies and less prone to injure themselves, due to competitive thinking. Younger students are usually more flexible than older students, but there is much more to Yoga than flexibility.

Do I have to be in shape to join?

No, Yoga is suitable for all ages and all shapes. Among our members are a variety of fitness levels, sizes, and ages. Very often, the most progress in Yoga class is made by the students who have not exercised for some time.

Do I Need Any Equipment?

Yoga mats are available free or can be purchased at AURA. From a hygiene perspective we recommend purchasing a mat and have arranged special reduced prices for regular members. With a 16 class package you can get your Yoga mat free.

We do carry a variety of Yoga props, blankets, straps, blocks, balls, etc. These are free to use or you can purchase your own for home practice.

Is it possible for a person who is in his/her early 40’s to learn yoga and teach later?

Yes, the best Yoga teachers are the students who are serious about practice, know what they want, and are challenged along the way. Naturally athletic and youthful students can make good Yoga teachers, but they often push their own students to do things that they naturally perceive to be easy.

If I have an injury can I participate?

Yes, Yoga is therapeutic. Sore backs, necks, knees, and other injuries can be addressed in a Yoga class. Yoga is also helpful and therapeutic for ailments such as elevated blood pressure, sciatica, and arthritis. You should inform your teacher prior to a Yoga class if you have any injuries or physical issues.

How many students are in a Yoga class, on average?

Up to 12 students.

Do Yoga classes have male and female students together?

Yes, Yoga classes are mixed.

What is Yoga?

Yoga means union of body, mind and spirit. Hatha Yoga is the physical form of yoga designed to bring balance and well-being into your life. It is the perfect lifetime fitness program and totally different from any other kind of exercise.

We stretch the body from the bone to the skin and from the head to the toes, which helps to quiet the mind, and energize the body. The movements of yoga reach deep into the tissue, relieve tension and stress, revitalize and assist in overcoming many physical and emotional problems, such as sciatica, back and neck problems, and depression.

Do you have Flexible Payments?

We have devised a pricing structure that is both flexible and fair.
You can choose from:

• Pay As You Go (Drop-in Rate)
• Memberships that pay by the month
• Block amount of Classes (8,12, or 16 class packages)
• We also have Group, Corporate, and Family Discount Rates
• Student discounts for Providence area colleges

The more classes you attend then the greater the discount.

Is it better to eat before or after a Yoga class?

Yoga must be practiced with an empty stomach, bowels and bladder. Students should wait 3-4 hours after a large meal before practicing Yoga. At least 2 hours after a light meal (fruit, rice, yogurt, toast, or cup of tea).

My doctor referred me to your Yoga center in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Why can’t I just practice exercises at home?

We do appreciate the medical referrals we receive from physicians and chiropractors in the Greater Attleboro, MA and Providence, RI areas.

You could practice Yoga at home, but you might want to learn the basics of Yoga practice with us, first, in order to practice safely at home, later. You should also have a positive frame of mind during your Yoga practice in order to get the most out of it. That level of positive mind-set can be easily attained in a Yoga class setting.

Can you name any benefits from practicing Yoga or taking a Yoga class?

Yes, below are "Eleven Benefits You Should Know Before Enrolling in a Yoga Class."

Yoga is a combination of exercise, breathing techniques, and meditation. It has been practiced in Eastern cultures for about 5,000 years and has recently been popularized in Western society. The word Yoga means "union" - as in joining the mind and body into a single harmonious unit. The purpose of Yoga is to create strength, awareness, and harmony in both the mind and body.

More than one hundred different types, or schools of Yoga, exist; most sessions are typically composed of breathing exercises, meditation, and Yoga postures (sometimes called asanas) that stretch, flex, and tone various muscle groups.

According to the National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), relaxation techniques, such as those found in Yoga, can:

• lessen chronic pain, such as lower back pain, arthritis, headaches, and carpal tunnel syndrome
• lower blood pressure
• lower heart rate
• lower breathing rate
• reduce insomnia

Many Yoga practitioners also generally report:

• higher levels of energy
• decreased levels of stress and anxiety
• increased feelings of general well-being

There are so many kinds of Yoga practices, people with movement restrictions or other physical challenges can find a type of Yoga or a Yoga teacher that meets their needs and abilities.

* Increasing flexibility - Yoga has postures that act upon the various joints of the body including those joints that are never really exercised.

* Increasing Lubrication of the Joints, ligaments and tendons - The well-researched Yoga postures, exercise connective tissue throughout the body.

It has been found that the body, which may have been stiff, starts experiencing "new found" flexibility, even in those parts which have not been consciously worked.

How can Yoga classes make this possible? It is here that the research behind Yoga postures and steady practice proves its worth. Seemingly unrelated and "non strenuous" Yoga postures act upon many different parts of the body in an interrelated manner. When a sequence of Yoga postures is practiced, they work in harmony to create enhanced flexibility.

* Massaging of ALL organs of the body - Yoga is possibly the only form of activity which massages all the internal glands and organs of the body in a thorough manner, including those - such as the prostrate -- that hardly get externally stimulated during our entire lifetime. Yoga acts in a wholesome manner on the various body parts. This stimulation and massage of the internal organs, benefits all of us by preventing disease and providing an "early warning system" at the first possible instance of a likely onset of disease or disorder.

One of the far-reaching benefits of Yoga practice is the sense of inner awareness, that is develops within the practitioner, of an impending health disorder. This in turn enables the Yoga student to take preemptive action.

* Complete Detoxification - By gently stretching muscles and joints, as well as, massaging the various organs, Yoga ensures the optimum blood supply to various parts of the body. This helps in flushing toxins out of every part of the body, as well as, providing nourishment. This leads to benefits such as delayed aging, energy and a remarkable zest for life.

* Excellent Toning of the Muscles - Muscles that have become flaccid, weak or lazy, are stimulated repeatedly to shed excess body fat.

Harness the power of Yoga and gain the 3-fold advantage of reducing stress for life, inner happiness, and complete fitness.

All of these enormous benefits of Yoga are just a "side effect" of this powerful practice. What Yoga does is harmonize the mind with the body and this -- results in real quantum benefits.

It is now known that the will of the mind has enabled people to achieve extraordinary physical feats; which proves, beyond doubt, the mind and body connection.

Yoga through meditation works remarkably to achieve this harmony and helps the mind work in sync with the body. How often do we find that we are unable to perform our activities properly and in a satisfying manner because of the confusions and conflicts in our mind weigh down heavily upon us?

Moreover, stress which in reality is the #1 killer affecting all parts of our physical, endocrine, and emotional systems, can be corrected through the practice of Yoga meditation and Yoga postures.

The meditative practices of Yoga help in achieving an emotional balance through detachment. What this means is that meditation during Yoga practice creates conditions, where you are less affected by the happenings around you.

This in turn creates a remarkable calmness and a positive outlook, which also has tremendous benefits on the physical health of the body.

These are just some of the tangible benefits that can be achieved through regular Yoga practice.

Having seen this, it is educative to note why the ancient Yogis performed Yoga and the interdependence of Yoga and meditation. The ultimate goal of the Yogis was "self realization" or "enlightenment," a concept, which perhaps sounds complicated.

Enlightenment is simply, living in and making the most of the present moment. Appreciating life and making the most of it.

What is interesting is that for this Yogis, past and present, meditated for days, weeks and much more. This required tremendous physical fitness, energy and the capacity to subsist on next to nothing. Yoga postures or "asanas" provided practitioners the fullest fitness with the least metabolism, and stress.

Meditation in turn provided them the strength and will to perform these asanas effectively - a virtuous cycle of cause and effect. This mutually symbiotic relationship between asanas and meditation helped them on their path to a better quality life.

Health Related Questions

Important Note About Health Related Questions

Please bear in mind that I have no medical degree and am not a medical professional. The advice given is that of a Yoga Teacher. Always consult with your physician for a professional opinion.

Can I safely perform Yoga if I am suffering from disc herniatiion or scoliosis?

Every case and every individual's situation is unique, so we can't provide a general answer for everyone. For information purposes, below you can find an actual request from someone and our response.

(Q): My wife is suffering from disc herniation and this pain has caused 15 degree scoliosis. Some doctors has recommended surgery, but physiotherapists do not recommend it and they say just exercise will improve it. She is doing her exercises for 2 months but no improvement is observed. I would appreciate if you help me in this matter.

(A): Thank you for your inquiry. Please understand that my opinion is that of a Yoga teacher and I have no medical degree. That said - I understand both opinions and both sides of the issue. Sometimes surgery is the only option left, but alternative methods, such as chiropractic medicine and Yoga therapy also have a proven "track record."

In order to see if this situation can be corrected without surgery or further pain to your wife, you may want to locate a physiotherapist or chiropractic doctor with a Yoga teaching background. This would be someone with a medical background, who specializes realigning the spine, and teaches Yoga.

Since your wife has been in therapy for two months, with no change for the better. It would seem her present exercise routine is not sufficient. It is still possible for her to get relief without surgery.

Another possibility is a Yoga therapist. Yoga therapy improves the quality of life for many people with back problems and Scoliosis, but you need a therapist who will get you results.

Lastly, when it comes to the spine and back pain, there are no guarantees -- even with surgery. That is why surgery is your last resort.

Important Note About Health Related Questions

Please bear in mind that I have no medical degree and am not a medical professional. The advice given is that of a Yoga Teacher. Always consult with your physician for a professional opinion.

Can I take this course if I've had a foot injury?

Every case and every individual's situation is unique, so we can't provide a general answer for everyone. For information purposes, below you can find an actual request from someone and our response.

(Q): I had an accident when I was younger and my foot is out of shape and there are some stretches in Yoga that I can not do because my foot is not strong enough. Will this affect my Yoga Training?

(A): Yes, your foot will affect your Yoga training, but with the right Yoga teacher and medical care, you will be able to work around it.

Podiatric medicine is so diversified and foot ailments come in so many different varieties, that it would be hard for me to give you any specific Yoga advice without more information.

Lastly, tell your doctor you are taking Yoga classes. Your doctor may even know of a helpful Yoga instructor in your area.

Yoga training is much more than Asanas. Asanas are valuable, but they are just a part of Yoga. With modifications to your postures, you should do the best you can, be the best you can be, and see many improvements.

When you find a local Yoga teacher who has this perspective, you will be in good hands.

Important Note About Health Related Questions

Please bear in mind that I have no medical degree and am not a medical professional. The advice given is that of a Yoga Teacher. Always consult with your physician for a professional opinion.

I have fibromyalgia and they say Yoga is good for that. Can you please advise me?

According to scientists at the University of Missouri-Columbia, "Patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) who exercise and practice relaxation and other non-drug techniques report fewer symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and morning stiffness than do patients who receive medication alone. Optimal treatment of FMS should include non-pharmacological interventions, specifically exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy, in addition to appropriate medication management as needed for sleep and pain symptoms," says Lynn A. Rossy, M.A., head of a study that made these conclusions.

As you already know, fibromyalgia is a condition that often produces pain, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, and other symptoms. It mainly affects muscles and their attachments to bones.

This cycle of pain and other physical symptoms can lead to frustration, anxiety, and other forms of emotional upset.

Among recommended treatments are moderate physical exercise that stretches muscles and improves cardiovascular fitness, and relaxation techniques.

For those who suffer with fibromyalgia, Yoga exercise, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques offer a variety of benefits. Yoga doesn’t require special equipment and can be practiced any time of the day, a few techniques at a time, as needed to maintain or cultivate energy and strength.

Many Yoga techniques can be performed in a chair, in a bed, or on the floor.

Yoga exercises stretch and relax all of the major muscle groups and help release tension and fatigue. Some Yoga exercises that involve spinal compression are useful, as they work to relax tight, sore muscles, stimulate circulation and the hormonal system, and push fresh oxygen throughout the body.

In addition to strengthening and limbering the muscles, Yoga exercises and postures leave you feeling energized.

Yoga breathing exercises (Pranayama) counteract fatigue and help to reduce harmful stress reactions. Deep, rhythmic breathing helps to lift depression and reduces anxiety.

With depression or anxiety, the breath becomes shallow and less oxygen is available to the brain. The breathing exercises and physical exercises increase the flow of oxygen in the blood, to the muscles, and to the brain.

When practicing Yoga relaxation and meditation techniques, you learn to relax every muscle and forget about the pain within your body, while turning more attention to breath awareness during meditation.

Meditation will teach you to stop reacting to intense sensations and begin a more supportive relationship with your body. When you stop excess thought, even for a moment, your mind and body experience a much needed rest.

You can also practice meditation before bed to improve sleep patterns and possibly reduce dependency on drugs. Fatigue and disturbances in normal sleep cycles are common symptoms of fibromyalgia, daily meditation is helpful, as it provides deep rest that is, often, hard to achieve with normal sleep.

Regular practice of Yoga enhances physical, mental, and emotional well-being, providing a solid support system while coping with fibromyalgia.

You should seek out a gentle and compassionate Yoga teacher. It is wise to study with Yoga teachers who focus on therapeutic applications of Yoga and healing your body.

Yoga students, who have fibromyalgia, should not push muscles to point of exertion. Holding Asanas (Yoga poses) for too long, can cause symptom flare-ups as contracting a muscle for any period of time can activate trigger points.

Movement should not be excessive although immobility is another fairly common cause of trigger point flare-ups. You should pause between repetitions and allow your muscles to relax.

Always consult with your physician or a medical professional about practicing Yoga or any exercise program before starting.