24 June Ray Child June 24, 2015 Why You Should Actually Go To Yoga Hot Yoga, Yoga Teacher Training certified yoga teachers, yoga community 0 Comment Almost everything can be done online these days—attending church, dating, and even grocery shopping. But some things are better in person, and despite the popularity of online yoga tutorials like YogaGlo and Gaiam, yoga remains one of them. Books, blogs, and videos can be great supplements to an existing yoga practice, and they’re better than nothing if you truly don’t have access to a studio, but the best way to begin a yoga practice is by going to a class. At a physical class: Instructors can check your form. Yoga postures have a lot of nuance to them. It can be difficult to understand the correct alignment or the muscles to engage without some prior experience. In your attempt to figure out these details, you might push yourself too far or even injure yourself. Instructors can physically adjust you. The right physical adjustment can make a posture “click” for you in a way that verbal direction might not. Common cues like "roll the hip forward" or "lengthen your spine" can be hard to translate into the body—that's where teachers come in! Individualized feedback can have a huge impact on the effectiveness of your efforts and how much you enjoy it! There’s accountability. It's too easy to pause a video or put down an app when you get tired or frustrated. You might have the discipline to hold a sixty-second Triangle when no one is cheering you on and the couch is just a few steps away—but most people don't! Left alone, it can also be tempting to do only the postures you enjoy, while skipping the less fun ones that might be exactly what you need. When you are alone, you have to muscle your way through an entire session, but in a studio, you only need enough discipline to show up—the communal energy will carry you the rest of the way. You can connect. Although it's easier than ever to engage with people online, remote connection will never replace a simple handshake or a shared coffee run after class. It goes beyond the actual physical practice and becomes a community. If you never go, you'll never know what you're missing. If cost is keeping you from going to class, do some digging. Many studios, like Sunstone, have great introductory offers or other specials. Some will advertise special donation based (or “pay what you can”) classes. Public parks and stores often host free classes as well. If fear or intimidation is holding you back, buddy up! Everything is easier when you go with a friend. Many studios offer an orientation or a beginners' class - we'd suggest Hot Yoga Lite or Calm Flow at our studios. Check the studio's online reviews (or ask friends for recommendations) so that you know the place is beginner-friendly. Tell the instructor that you're new and feeling nervous. A good teacher will know how to put you at ease. You don't need to give up your home practice, which can be a great way to stay regular and focused. Just balance it out with a communal practice led by certified instructors. Related Articles Who Does Yoga? – Breaking Through Dallas’ Hot Yoga Myths Yoga has been around for thousands of years, but it’s still a very misunderstood form of exercise in America. Misconceptions about yoga, most especially Dallas hot yoga, are still, (sadly) widespread in the West. Here are a few of the most far-reaching yoga myths. You have to be in perfect shape if you want to do yoga. Yoga Tips for Beginners: What To Know Before Your First Yoga Class Yoga Tips for Beginners: What To Know Before Your First Yoga Class If you’ve been thinking about getting into shape, you may have considered taking a yoga class. Yoga can be a great way to either get in shape or maintain your level of fitness. It builds strength and flexibility while simultaneously allowing you to focus on your breathing. By practicing yoga, you learn how to control your breathing, even during some rather challenging poses. This in turn helps you in virtually every other area of your life, as it allows you to remain calm and stay in control of your emotions. Yoga also helps you become more in tune with yourself. Therefore, you have the chance to reap both physical and mental benefits of practicing it. Here are some top yoga tips for beginners: Don’t Settle for “Gym Yoga” – Dallas Hot Yoga is a Cut Above Gym Yoga Do you know what the difference is between “gym yoga” and Dallas hot yoga? When you take a yoga class at the gym, you may get a sub-par experience that leaves you disappointed. Gym classes are designed for the broadest audience, and sometimes even taught by instructors with no certification and little experience. Advantages of Hot Yoga: 5 Ways Hot Yoga Helps Insomnia The advantages of hot yoga are many and varied… and one of hot yoga’s most surprising benefits is that it can alleviate insomnia. Insomnia can be caused by stress, anxiety and depression, a lack of physical activity, diet, or imbalances in body chemistry. Yoga, especially hot yoga, can address all of these concerns. Yoga Teacher Training: Transformational Learning at Sunstone Yoga Academy Is yoga teacher training right for you? Even basic yoga training can change your life. Whether you want to open your own studio or just take your yoga practice to the next level, Sunstone Yoga Academy can help you open up to the world around you. Our Yoga Academy is for people who are passionate about yoga and growing their practice—we’re not just looking for people who want to teach yoga! Yoga For Cross Training Yoga can be excellent cross-training for athletes. Hot yoga, in particular, is especially suited to a slot on your cross-training schedule. It’s a no-brainer that yoga will help keep hard-working muscles stretched and flexible while making them strong in their full range of motion. But the benefits don’t stop there! 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