Frequently Asked Questions

Short list of apprehensions often heard from students before they take their first yoga class:

I'm a man, is there men in these classes?

I'm really stiff, will I be out of place at a yoga studio?

I don't really have the time, my family life, work life, social life, travel, keeps me really busy.

My body is too far gone. I'm overweight and have a few chronic injuries.

My mind is too busy, I'm too anxious and not ready to do yoga.

I don't breathe well.

I am happy to tell you that you are our perfect student. Our minds and bodies get stiff, gain excess weight, retain injuries, and restrain our breathing rhythm for a few reasons but the main reason is because in our daily life we have limited or a daily repetitive set of movements and thoughts that do not encourage flexibility or change. In yoga we add a "positive stress" to the body, a type of moving that helps you move in a low impact, slow, balanced manner linked to a rhythmic pattern of deep breathing with attention to a clear, aware, mental state. As we age, the tissues of the body start to loose their elasticity, their ability to hold and transport fluid and when these tissues start to shrink they pull the body out of it's natural alignment. Yoga is not about big muscles, losing weight, being loose, tight abs or even teleporting your mind to another time and place, it's about being present and accepting ourselves as we are right now. It is only then we allow ourselves to change. Really enjoying your workouts makes you feel great, non-competitive and puts you in a positive head-space. The "looking" great and losing excess weight comes when we feel good -we don't have to worry about that so much. The goal of yoga is not to become more attractive, but  it may happen once we start to love ourselves. These days men consist of about 1/3 the students in classes. While women bring a greater flexibility to the mat, men bring strength and while in a class together we inspire each other. Many men want to keep playing golf, soccer, hockey or be able to work until they are 65 and yoga has evolved to welcome lots of smart men to the mat.

I'm new/ fairly new/just coming back to yoga and I'm looking for a class that will give me the basics but also challenge me to improve my present state of health. What style is best for me?

Start with the Hatha Flow classes, there are tons of them to choose from at different times on the schedule. The teacher will present the postures from a level one perspective and then give you options to increase or decrease difficulty depending on what the group requires.  You may also register for our introductory Hatha Flow class. click here for more info.

I've taken a yoga class and it was too wishy-washy/slow/boring/easy, and I'm looking for a great challenge in my workout that will get me into shape. What style is best for me?

Our Power Flow and Core Flow classes will make you sweat and build a beautiful balance of strength and flexibility in your mind and body. Try a few different teachers here at the studio and see who suits you best, every teacher has their own approach to this practice.

I'm looking for a slower moving, calm inducing yoga class. I would also like to practice some meditation with a group. What style is best for me?

You may enjoy our Yang/Yin classes which are part Hatha Flow, part Yin yoga and part meditation.

I'm pregnant, can I still participate in regular drop-in classes?

Our studio is special in that many of our yoga teachers are trained to incorporate pregnant women into the Hatha Flow classes. Click here for information about these classes.

I'm a mom and was wondering if you had a Mom and Baby class?

We are proud to support Mom's looking to get back into shape and who are looking for a bit of social time with their baby. Our Super Mom! class is a combination of yoga and Pilates exercises that target key areas of the body that may lose their shape with pregnancy. Mom's are also welcome to use their discounted class card for other classes on our schedule in case they get a night or morning to themselves.

What should I bring?

Most important things to bring are an open mind, an unrushed, non-competitive attitude, and a bottle of water. Arrive 15 minutes prior to class. Wear the same clothes you would workout in-men you might want to ditch the baggy t-shirt for something that won't fall over your head when you fold forward. Bring your own yoga mat which you can buy at any fitness supply store, sometimes drug stores carry them too, or from any of the many yoga out-fitting stores. Wear something that will stretch and breathe with you. We do have mats if you need to borrow one. Bring a small hand towel if you're coming to the vinyasa classes-you're going to sweat.

How much is it?

First class is $10.00 (+gst). Click here for our full rates menu which includes specials for new students. If you plan to pay for a drop-in or purchase a pass please be early to take care of this transaction prior to the class starting. We take cash or check only, there is no debit or credit card payment available. All checks are written to "Shannon Cluff".

Can we help you in any other way? Maybe you just want some help to choose a class, feel free to email Shannon at info@sangayoga.ca.