Ask Grant…

Here are my answers to some common questions about yoga. Plus a few bits of advice for anyone relatively new to yoga or thinking about trying it for the first time. Turning up to your first class can be a bit daunting when you don’t know what to expect or what’s going on, but hopefully I can put your mind at ease…

The first rule of Warrior Crow Yoga is: you do not step on someone else’s mat.

The second rule of Warrior Crow Yoga is: you do not step on someone else’s mat.

Yoga may not be Fight Club but it does have its own unwritten rules, which apply in all studios. Come on, nobody wants to put their hands or head where your feet have been. Be considerate of others and just walk around.

General FAQs

  • Vinyasa is simply a particular style of physical yoga practice. It involves lots of different poses and transitions (moving from one pose to the next) which are joined together to form a sequence or flow. Everything is coordinated with controlled breathing in and out. There are several other styles, like Mandala and Rocket, so if you want to know if a class is right for you just contact the teacher and ask.

  • Physical practice is only a very small part of yoga. Yoga is an ancient science of the mind with guidance on achieving mental and emotional harmony in life. This can incorporate chanting or meditation and classes focussed on these techniques are available if you are interested in widening your experience of yoga. Physical yoga was actually developed to prepare the body for sitting still for long periods to enable meditation. There are (translations of) enlightening ancient texts such as the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Bhagavad Gita which you can read. I would definitely recommend at least trying all of these. Physical yoga classes (such as Vinyasa) may touch on these briefly to frame the intention for the class but will predominantly be about the poses, movement and breathwork.

  • Of course not. I can’t do the splits! I can handstand though, but there’s usually much wobbling and falling over involved. Yoga isn’t about being able to do any particular poses or trying to be ‘good’ at physical yoga. It’s more about practicing and improving oneself physically and mentally so you can live a happier life. Yoga is for everyone regardless of ability or experience and it should always be an enjoyable experience. Classes will have options so you can choose how much you want to challenge yourself or allow you to take it easier.

  • Most studios have mats available for students to borrow (usually free but check with the studio first as some charge a small hire fee). There will be sprays and cloths available, so please wipe down your borrowed mat at the end of the class before returning it. Once you’ve decided that you’re going to keep your yoga practice going, then I’d recommend investing in your own mat. Other props, like blocks and straps, are also usually provided by studios so no need to rush out and buy these straight away either (you also don’t want to be lugging around huge bags of gear!)

FAQs for dudes

  • Absolutely not! Yoga is a very inclusive practice and is for everyone to enjoy regardless of gender, race, body shape or anything else. Men get just the same benefits from yoga as women do. The more the merrier.

  • Yoga will complement your other activities, whether lifting weights, gym work or sports training. Each will have different benefits so it’s good to do a combination. I work physical yoga practice into my athletics training schedule (which includes weights, pliometrics and sprint training) and it helps massively in many ways (both physical and mental). Others find it helps with their golf swing or with lunging around tennis or squash courts. Plus, variety is the spice of life, so mix it up a bit!

  • The good news is you don’t need to buy any additional yoga specific clothes. Personally, I practice in running / swim shorts (with inner lining - very important!) and t-shirt / running vest (either fairly snug or with a long hem so I can tuck it in - this may not look cool but it stops the t-shirt falling down over my face when I’m going Maverick and inverted). All gear I already have for my other sporting activities. You will generate a fair bit of heat while practicing so maybe avoid heavy tracksuits or sweatshirts. Worry about being comfortable and free to move, not looking trendy. So you’re aware, yoga studios are shoe-free zones and you’ll be practicing in bare feet (socks are too slippery!).

“Be excellent to each other.”

Bill S Preston Esq and Ted Theodore Logan, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.