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What should I bring? If you have a yoga mat, please bring it. For many reasons it is preferable to practice on your own mat. If you don't have one, there are a limited number of mats available for use at the studio.In addition to a mat, you may wish to bring your own blanket or towel. This can be used as padding for your knees in kneeling postures, as something to sit on in seated postures, and to cover up with during relaxation at the end of class. Please turn off cell phones and pagers when entering the studio. These sounds can be distracting to other students. Do I have to be flexible and fit to do yoga? Yoga is for everyone. People of all levels take yoga classes to help build flexibility and strength.Please let the instructor know if you have any special health conditions including injuries, disk problems, any condition you are taking medication for, if you are pregnant, etc. Your instructor can offer you specific suggestions to help make your practice safer and more enjoyable. For serious health conditions, please see a health care provider before beginning a yoga practice. Can I just 'Drop-In' to a class midway through the session? Drop-in students are allowed at Pacific Health Centre if there is space available. All other classes are available as a complete multi-week session only.Can I come late to a class? The beginning of class is an important part of the practice. Classes are sequenced with great care so the body is prepared for subsequent postures. Please arrive on time and no more than 5 minutes late. Often, there is a class scheduled directly after the yoga class ends, so it's important to begin and end on time.For your first visit, please arrive 15 minutes early to allow yourself time to register for class. What style of yoga is being taught? Melissa teaches Hatha Yoga, using a viniyoga approach. This approach adapts the practice to the individual, respecting their needs and conditions. Classes will consist of static and dynamic asanas (postures) as well as pranayama (breathwork).Her teachers, Rosemary Antze and Gary Kraftsow (author of Yoga for Wellness and Yoga for Transformation), are both longtime students of TKV Desikachar, author of many books including The Heart of Yoga and Health Healing and Beyond and son and student of T. Krishnamacharya. Should I eat before I come to class? Yoga is best practiced on an empty stomach. It is recommended to avoid eating at least one hour prior to class. Large meals should be given even more time to digest.What should I wear? Comfortable clothes that allow the body to stretch, such as jogging pants and a t-shirt. Yoga is practiced barefoot, so please leave your shoes in the entry room. |