According to Jen Hamilton, CEO of Oxygen Yoga and Fitness, acknowledging your own capabilities and level of fitness is key, but the main reason to start yoga comes from within.
“It’s just a really wonderful way at becoming one with yourself,” Hamilton says. “Taking a break both mentally and physically and allowing yourself one hour to just go into a practice and escape from all the to-do lists and the busyness in your life”.
What should you eat? Partaking in yoga on a full stomach is something that should be avoided, so keep the tank empty aside from some light, pre-yoga snacks. “We encourage people to have a banana, or a handful of almonds before coming to class” says Hamilton. “You definitely want to make sure you keep it light, and nuts are great for protein.” She adds, “Also remember to hydrate minimum two hours prior to coming to class.” You sweat a lot when doing most type of yoga, so keep that water bottle handy.
What should you wear? Certain styles of yoga require different types of attire, so be prepared. If you have chosen a hot yoga class, avoid loose-fitting clothes (they will get heavy with sweat). Light, breathable, sweat-wicking materials will help you move fluidly between poses and stay comfortable. Vancouver based Lululemon Athletica is the gold standard in functional (and fashionable) yoga wear.
What class should you take? Jen’s suggestion would be a slower paced class that is not intimidating and not intrusive on the body. “We have a deep stretch class that is perfect for beginners.”
There are numerous yoga styles that each have their own benefits. Here are a few popular options:
Hatha
This is a generic term that refers to any type of yoga that teaches physical postures. A great place to start for beginners, as you’ll learn the basic poses and will leave class feeling relaxed, long and lean.
Vinyasa (Flow)
Another class that is great for beginners, Vinyasa or “Flow” focuses on synchronized breath and movements. Styles vary from teacher to teacher, so if you don’t like your initial Vinyasa class, try another.
Infrared (Hot Yoga)
These classes (offered at Oxygen) are one of the most popular. If sweating pints isn’t enough for you, these classes will have you sweating buckets. As popular as it is challenging, hot yoga is great for loosing weight and improving your cardiovascular system.
Yin
A slow, calming style that is great if you need to relax after a busy week. Focus is put on holding poses for a long period of time, which allow you to de-stress and clear your mind.
What should you bring? A lot of studios have plenty of accessories you’ll need (like foam blocks to help with posture, or straps to help with certain stretches). “The three most important things to bring to a class are your mat, a water bottle and a towel”, Jen says. When asked for a fourth important item to bring, she cheerfully says “a smile”.