Lafayette Center for Yoga
315 Jefferson St.,
Downtown Lafayette, LA
Studio Etiquitte
- Please arrive to class a few minutes early.
- Leave your shoes in the reception cubbies before entering the Yoga Room.
- Refrain from eating 1 to 2 hours before practice.
- Let your teacher know about any injury or health problem that will affect your yoga practice.
- Please do not wear scents to class. Many people are sensitive.
- Observe silence while in the yoga room.
- If you leave early, please take Savasana to complete your practice and exit before the rest of the class takes Savasana, as not to disturb the other students
- Although we provide yoga mats and clean them frequently - for hygienic reasons, it is best to have your own mat. Also, you may want to bring a towel, but towels are porvided at the studio.
- Respect the limits of your body, do not push, compare or compete. Yoga is a practice of letting go, being where you are, and self-acceptance.
Breath, Feel, Laugh, & have Fun!
Yoga Basics
The word yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India where yoga originated. We can think of the union occurring between the mind, body and spirit.
What is commonly referred to as "yoga" can be more accurately described by the Sanskrit word asana, which refers to the practice of physical postures or poses.
Asana is only one of the eight "limbs" of yoga, the majority of which are more concerned with mental and spiritual well being than physical activity. In the West, however, the words asana and yoga are often used interchangeably.
Yoga Poses
Many people think that yoga is stretching. But while stretching is certainly involved, yoga is really about creating balance in the body through developing both strength and flexibility. This is done through the performance of poses or postures, each of which has specific physical benefits. The poses can be done quickly in succession, creating heat in the body through movement or more slowly to increase stamina The poses are a constant, but the approach to them varies depending on the tradition in which the teacher has trained
Yoga Practice
Yoga teachers will often refer to "your practice," which means your individual experience with yoga as it develops over time. The amazing thing about yoga is that your practice is always evolving and changing so it never gets boring. Although the poses themselves do not change, your relationship to them will. Anyone can start a yoga practice, even if you don't feel like you are very flexible or very strong. These things will develop over time. Another great thing about thinking about "your practice" is that it encourages the noncompetitive spirit of yoga. One of the most difficult, but ultimately most liberating things about yoga is letting go of the ego and accepting that no one is better than anyone else. Everyone is just doing their best on any given day.
Yoga Classes
In addition to practicing the poses, yoga classes are primarily about the instruction on breathing. The variety and amount of this will depend on the individual teacher and the yoga tradition in which they have trained. Typically, a yoga class at a gym will be more focused on the purely physical benefits of yoga, while one at a yoga center may delve more into the spiritual side. Some people find that the physical practice of yoga becomes a gateway into a spiritual exploration while others just enjoy a wonderful low-impact workout that makes them feel great.
