NEW TO YOGA?? No problem.......
Whether you decide to enroll in our comprehensive Beginner Series or just jump
​into the weekly classes, the most important step to take is the first one- just try! 

What is yoga?


The word yoga, from the Sanskrit word yuj means to yoke or bind and is often interpreted as “union” or a method of discipline.  The practice of yoga in it's purest sense is the union of mind, body & spirit- a state of meditation in motion.

The Indian sage Patanjali is believed to have collated the practice of yoga into the Yoga Sutra an estimated 2,000 years ago. The Sutra is a collection of 195 statements that serves as a philosophical guidebook for most of the yoga that is practiced today. It also outlines eight limbs of yoga: the yamas (restraints), niyamas (observances), asana (postures),pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dharana(concentration), dhyani (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). As we explore these eight limbs, we begin by refining our behavior in the outer world, and then we focus inwardly until we reach samadhi (liberation, enlightenment).

Today most people practicing yoga are engaged in the third limb, asana, which is a program of physical postures designed to purify the body and provide the physical strength and stamina required for long periods of meditation.

10 Health Benefits of YOGA:


1. IMPROVE YOUR BODY
This is the reason people most commonly begin yoga and that's fine! Your body will 100 percent change from consistently practicing yoga. Your muscles will become longer, and leaner; you will loose body fat and inches. You will become more flexible- even if you can't touch your toes today! Yoga also helps us become more in tune with how we feel and with what is going on inside our bodies.
2. GO WITH THE FLOW
Yoga teaches us how to breathe. It's amazing how your heath is transformed by improving our respiratory system! Breath is one of the most important parts of our practice. Yoga is a meditation in motion and breath is the anchor. Learning to use our breath helps us just go with the flow, and go wherever life takes us!
3. DEAL WITH STRESS BETTER
Now that you know how to go with the flow, things that used to stress you out won’t anymore. You learn to be less reactive. Yoga teaches you breathing exercises and poses that help you better cope with stress. That alone improves your health exponentially.
4. GLOW FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Yoga works all levels, not just physical- you will strengthen your energy, and vibrate at a higher frequency! People will notice more pep in your step, a glow to your skin, that you are standing taller, smiling more, that you are less reactive! All the moving causes increase in blood flow, which helps clear toxins from the body producing a healthy glow. Get used to hearing. “Wow, you look great!” And the best part is it's contagious!
5. CONNECT WITH PEOPLE
When you start taking public classes, you begin to meet like-minded people. Nothing compares to healthy friendships; friendships that involve sharing similar interests, quality experiences and a healthy lifestyle.
6. LEARN TO SLOW DOWN
Yoga teaches us to slow down, to live in the present moment, to stop obsessing on the past, and stressing about the future. You learn to be fully present and take time to really enjoy what is happening in the NOW. You will stop zipping through life without truly experiencing it. Relationships and your experience of life improves drastically.
7. LET GO OF THINGS THAT ARE NOT SERVING YOU
Yoga teaches us to let go of things that don't make us stronger or happy. The teachings in yoga are subtle, but when you start to notice actual shifts happening in your life, you beging to feel renewed and at peace with whatever comes your way. You are able to recognize and remove negative influences more easily- i.e. habits, relationships, addictions, etc.
8. FIND YOUR INTUITION/INNER TRUTH
As you become more in tune with your body and your mind, your intuition and inner truth become easier to hear. We realize that we have an abundance of knowledge and strength inside us. We are able to embrace transformation and make the necessary changes in our lives that we avoided due to fear previously.
9. CRACKS OPEN YOUR HEART
There are poses in yoga called “˜heart openers.’ These poses are meant to open the heart, to allow love to flow. At first I was skeptical, but yoga teaches us more about love and compassion. Yoga really does open our hearts up to new people, new experiences, new things & self acceptance.
10.
Yoga teaches us that true happiness comes from within. After practicing yoga more regularly you start to realize that joy, strength & peace is what we are made of! It's always been there. You realize that searching externally does not lead to happiness. The happiness is inside us all, and it is easily accessible- all we need is mindfulness & breath!
Now & Zen Studio Do's & Dont's:



The following is recommended to maximize your and your fellow yogi"s class experience:

DO try to arrive 10 min. early to class. The door will be locked at the start of class.  This is to give you time to set up and center without distractions.

DO turn off all cell phones and pagers during class time.

DO come to class showered, wearing no oily lotions or noticeable perfumes/colognes.

DO wear comfortable, loose fitting, non-provocative, yoga  attire.

DO come to class even if you don't have, or forgot your mat! 
We have a  supply of yoga mats & blankets for student  use.  
We encourage regular students to bring their own mats & blankets if possible. We sell these items in the studio.

DO take your shoes off @ the door- yoga is most beneficial & FUN barefoot! And practicing the yogic niyama saucha- or cleanliness- keeping shoes off the yoga floor since your whole body is in contact with it!

DON'T eat a heavy meal less than 3 hours prior to class.

DO inform the teacher before class if you must leave early.

DO your best to maintain an inward focus during your practice. Yoga is non-competitive. You will miss the deepest benefits if you compare yourself to your neighbor, your expectations of yourself, or how your body performed in the past. 

DO bring a drink to class.

DO honor your body! Find your edge- this is the point of yoga- right effort, doing your best. Maximum results with the least effort.  No one- not even the instructor, knows how your body feels in a posture. If it doesn't feel right, or it hurts- back off or don't do it! Listen to your body's cues- and ALWAYS remember to breathe.

DO inform your  instructor privately if you are dealing with any heath issues or injuries and if you have any questions.

DO HAVE FUN!