Welcome to Yoga International!
Firstly, we're so happy that you've decided to give yoga a try! We cannot wait to connect, practice, and grow with you. Beginning a yoga practice can seem intimidating but the truth is yoga is for everyone, and we're here for you!
We recommend you read this article about setting up your home practice.
For comfort, you may want to use a yoga mat and other props like blocks or a blanket, which are always optional. If you don't have access to props, check out this article for some great alternatives you may already have at home!
Here are a few suggested beginner classes as well:
Beginner Yoga Poses: How to get started
A Beginner’s Guide to Yoga
Body Positive Beginner Class with Amber Karnes
A Beginner Class That's Really for Beginners
Yogic Breath Training for Absolute Beginners
If you're unfamiliar with the different types of yoga offered on our website, we've also included a brief description of the more popular types of yoga we offer:
- Hatha Yoga - refers to a sequence of postures combined with attention to the breath. This class will help create a balance of strength and flexibility within the body. Rather than flowing through postures, the class is designed to help settle the body into each posture, to find ease and steadiness within.
- Vinyasa - is commonly used to refer to a flowing (and often, but not always) “one breath per movement” style of yoga. You can expect to move a lot and through different, creative sequences during these classes.
- Slow Flow - Vinyasa-inspired movements at a mindful pace.
- Ashtanga - a dynamic, physically demanding practice that synchronizes posture, conscious breath, and drishti (single-pointed focus). It consists of six series, each one following a specific and progressive sequence. Yoga International offers primary (first) and intermediate (second) series as complete led practices, along with short forms and variations on these series for differing skill levels.
- Kundalini Yoga - Known as the yoga of awareness, Kundalini yoga cultivates a meditative state through mudras, mantras and breathing exercises along with a dynamic physical practice that focuses on bringing balance to the body, mind, and soul.
- Yin Yoga - While more active “yang” styles of yoga target the muscles, yin targets and affects the connective tissues, which include our fascia, ligaments, joints, cartilage, and bones. This makes yin yoga a great complement to more vigorous practices like vinyasa. You can expect yin classes to be slow-paced with long holds—sometimes more than five minutes to enable you to explore sensation and to better get to know your body, allowing you to figure out how “deeply” to go (or not go) in each pose.
- Restorative - Restorative yoga can help you to achieve deeper states of relaxation in your body and mind. You can expect long, passive holds and to use yoga props (such as blankets, blocks, bolsters, straps, and chairs) to allow for maximum comfort.
- Yoga Therapy - Yoga Therapy classes focus on working with specific conditions or areas of the body. Through a therapeutic application of yoga, you can feel better, improve function, and feel empowered to move in ways that are appropriate for you.