Q: Why do we chant before Yoga class?
A: Yoga means to unite. We use chanting as a way of coming together as a class at the beginning of our practice. It is also an opportunity to tune into your breath.
Yoga FAQ's
Q: I have past injuries I am currently working with. Will Yoga help me to recover?
A: Yes, at the yoga therapy level. However, the open yoga class is not a group therapeutic class even though Yoga Awareness teachers are being trained with this awareness. Therefore, I often advise new students to work privately with me first if they have injury or uncertainty before I send them to an open yoga class. This establishes a strong foundation for teacher and student relationship. From here it...
Q: I have stiff ankles. Each time we are on our knees in class they hurt. My teacher recommended that I use a stool instead of kneeling during seated postures. But isn't this a cop-out? I will never get more flexible if I don't push myself, right?
We have a funny view of the path towards growth in the west, this 'no pain, no gain' mentality, which is completely off from what we are trying to accomplish in Yoga Awareness classes. You must instead work with awareness towards your own edge. If...
Q: I can't make it to class !
A: There are many excuses for when you don't make it to Yoga class. Here's a list of 10 common excuses why students can't come. Read them and see if any resonates with you and then see if you can adjust your pattern to solve the problem.
1. Too busy with work
2. No car.
3. No mat.
4. All my Yoga clothes are dirty.
5. I'll do it tomorrow.
6. My body hurts.
7. My mind is too scattered.
8. My partner keeps me from it.
9. I don't have childcare.
10. I'm...
Q: How can Yoga help me to have a healthy pregnancy and an easy birth?
A: Yoga Awareness is the perfect place for you to prepare your body for birth and motherhood.
Ted Surman, the director and main instructor of Yoga Awareness has 14 years of training in Viniyoga and Classical Raja Yoga and Ayurveda with world renowned experts. Including seven years of prenatal specialization. Ted teaches Yoga classes on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings at 8:30am. Each class is catered...
Q: Is there a Class attendance protocol ?
A: It is important that you are present for the entire duration of each Yoga class you take with us. Yoga classes are designed to take you through the process of yoga from the first Om till the final meditation. Chanting wakes up the body and focuses the mind. Asanas strengthen the body and further devolop mind body awareness and concentration. This portion is deliberately designed to maximize the benifits of asana practice and compensate each...
Q: What is RAJA YOGA?
A: Raja Yoga is the 'Teachings of Patanjali'. Patanjali has given us
Kriya Yoga (attitude) and Ashtanga Yoga (method) to attain a state of focus and peacefulness. Viniyoga was a name given by Desikachar to Western students in the late 1980's. It describes the appropriate use of Raja Yoga to progressively develop a student. Yoga Awareness is of the Krishnamacharya lineage (Desikachar / KYM), American Viniyoga Institute (Gary Kraftsow), and Yoga Raksanam (DV Sridhar,...
Q: What does sadhana mean?
A: The ancient Indian Sanskrit word SADHANA means 'to practice'. This refers to a daily practice of Yoga and Ayurveda which will maintain your health and vitality, giving you a strong mind and resilient body.
A regular daily Sadhana moves us quicker and easier towards our goals, reducing obstacles to make our journey achievable.
The term 'Sadhanapadah' is used in the second chapter of the Patanjali Yoga Sutra-s, which was composed in 2,500 BC. This refers to...
Q: VINIYOGA seems to be the best fit for my body type, then a friend recommended that I try Yoga Awareness. Is your style of Yoga similar to Viniyoga?
A: If you like Viniyoga, you'll love studying classical Raja Yoga at Yoga Awareness
Our Yoga practice is remarkably similar to Viniyoga. While we have a deep commitment to proper body aliment and the correct application of classical Yoga, I take great care to provide my students with individual adaptations based on their own bodies...
Q: Is there a difference between a RAJA yoga and an ASHTANGA yoga class? If so, what is it ?
A: Hi Thomas. Thanks for your inquiry and you are welcome to join the SAT morning Yoga class in Makawao.
Regarding your question "difference between a Raja yoga and an Ashtanga yoga class". Ashtanga Yoga is a part of Raja Yoga.
Patanjali is considered the author of Raja Yoga and he gives us both Kriya Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga to transform. Kriya is our attitude and Ashtanga is our method to...