There are BEGINNERS COURSES COMMENCING WED 10 SEP 12noon, TUE 16 SEP 7.30pm and SAT 27 SEP 9.30am. Visit the Workshops and Courses page for more information and to register.

INTRODUCTORY CLASS PASS for new Ten Toes students -
3 classes for $20 (valid two weeks, excl. beginners courses)

What benefits can I expect?

You can expect to be physically challenged and that your body will become fitter and stronger. Yoga affects the various systems of the body – the nervous, endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, digestive systems etc. – so your body will function better all round. Yoga will also facilitate the purification process – releasing toxins from the body through perspiration, respiration and improved organ function.

However, you can also expect to notice changes to your mind and emotions. Your body stores memories of your life experiences, so Yoga can help you resolve past hurts and disappointments.

Everyone will experience the transformative power of Yoga differently.

Even beginners will experience the immediate benefits of Yoga – relaxation, calmness, energy and improvements in health. Practice over time multiplies these benefits and brings as increasingly deeper awareness of our ability to heal ourselves – body, mind and being – and unite these three aspects of ourselves – the ultimate aim of Yoga.

What happens in a Yoga class?

Students enter the studio with bare feet (there is a place to leave your shoes) and sit or lie quietly on a mat until class begins. This time is helpful to begin quietening your mind and focusing on the present moment.

Each class will start with some kind of gentle warm up to get the body moving. The teacher will guide you through various exercises and poses (also sometimes called 'postures' or 'asanas'), to work on different areas or systems of the body. S/he will often give directions about how to correct or improve the pose and explain the benefits the pose will bring. Some poses will be done standing up, others sitting or lying.

Class usually ends with a relaxation. This may be guided by the teacher or silently or with music.

Teachers will be available after class to answer any questions you may have.

Read the Preparing for class and Making the most of your practice sections on the Classes page.

How do I know which class is right for me?

The best way to work this out is to try some. Here are a couple of places to start:

• read the class descriptions on the Classes page to see which class' approach appeals to you.
• phone Rachel or one of the other teachers to talk about why you're interested in Yoga. We will be happy to make suggestions about what might suit you.

All Ten Toes classes are suitable for beginners unless indicated otherwise on the timetable. Don't choose an intermediate level class until you've had a chance to learn the basics or you risk feeling overwhelmed or injuring yourself.

Start by choosing a class that fits into your regular routine. We recommend attending the same class three times before deciding whether or not you like it, so we created the Intro Pass - 3 classes for $20 (valid 2 weeks).

We will also be holding regular Beginners' Workshops and Courses. Let Rachel know if you're interested in being notified about the next one.

Please check with your health care practitioner before starting any new diet or exercise.

Do I need to be flexible to do Yoga?

No. If you're not naturally flexible, this is a gentle way to become so. You'll be surprised how much more comfortable you can be in your body.

Everyone's flexibility and strength will vary from day to day and at different times of day. Practise listening to your body – you'll find that exercises and postures can feel different each time you do them! You'll learn to find the balance between working hard (so that you get results) and not straining your body (to stay safe).

What is the difference between all the different types of Yoga?

Many schools of Yoga have developed over time, usually around a particular Master who has agreed to take students and share the teachings. In recent times, Yoga teachings have reached the West. Some of the more commonly known types of Yoga are: Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Iyengar Yoga.

While the postures and exercises might differ in style, pace or composition, each style has the same goal of uniting body, mind and spirit. In fact, the word 'yoga' means 'union'. Some styles put postures together in a flowing sequence, while others treat postures and exercises more discretely. Some styles emphasise breathing techniques, while others focus on accuracy of the pose.

Is Yoga a religion?

Yoga is a science – a technology. Everything is made up of energy (scientific fact). Yoga works with energy in the body to bring health and wellbeing. You don't need to believe in a particular god (or any god at all!) or belong to a religion.

The principles of Yoga can be applied by everyone regardless of race, gender, belief or culture.

For descriptions of different types of Yoga, visit our Classes page or findyoga.com.au