Yoga Questions & Answers

Wear comfortable, stretchy clothes that allow full range of motion. Leggings with a waist band that doesnt ride up or down and a fitted top so it doesn’t ride up over your head. Layers are also a good idea with something warm and cozy for relaxation. Barefoot is prefable but you can also wear socks, no shoes though. 

Yoga focuses on flexibility, balance and mindfulness and is deeply rooted in spirituality, while pilates targets core strength, mobility and posture. Beginners often start with yoga for overall well-being but both are excellent choices.

Yoga combines breath, meditation and postures for flexibility and mental calm. Pilates is more exercise-focused, targeting core strength, stability and muscle toning. Yoga uses a lot more of the bigger muscles and deeper stretches while pilates is smaller muscles and can be more drill like exercises. Both are a great option.

Short answer yes, in particular if you practice regularly. Ashtanga and Vinyasa practices engage your core more and can strengthen and tone your abdominal muscles over time – a healthy lifestyle and food intake is also beneficial. 

A yoga mat is essential and can be bought for a reasonable price in places like TKMaxx and Middle Lidl. Optional items for support and growth include blocks, straps and bolsters. Ask your teacher for what might benefit you specifically as all bodies are all different.

Online classes can be highly effective and a great way to introduce you before walking into a class. What they lack is the personal touch and corrections from a teacher, as well as the community and support you can find in a yoga class.

Yes, yoga promotes mindfulness, regulates your nervous sytem and puts you into a state of deep relaxation all of which helps reduce stress switches off the multiple tabs we have open in our brain and manages anxiety.

Yoga improves flexibility, strength, posture, mobility, stress management and overall mental and physical well-being.

Paying for a yoga class offers guidance, safety and motivation that a home practice often can’t match. A qualified teacher can – correct alignment, tailor the level of the practice to suit you, use music, scent and ambience to help you feel more relaxed, and introduce a new level just for you. Not to mention the community and support by being around other people. 

First and foremost, make sure they’re truly qualified. Yoga is a deeply spiritual practice, not just a fitness class. Teachers who have completed 200+ hours of face-to-face training (and often more) are committed to guiding others beyond just the exchange of money.

It’s important to find someone you personally connect with and whose energy resonates with you — trust is key. Yoga can be an intimate space, so feeling supported and comfortable with your teacher is essential. But above all, make sure you enjoy the class and notice how it makes you feel afterward.