Anna Ashby: Yoga classes in Hinckley, Leicestershire and at Triyoga London - FAQ.

Wear comfortable clothing that is suitable for exercise. Form fitting clothing such as leggings are preferable to allow the teacher to see the body more easily and therefore give more specific instruction.

It’s better not to east a large meal as a full belly can get in the way of the different yoga poses and may make you feel nauseous. A general guideline is to leave a 3 to 4 hour gap before practice. If you must eat, eat a small or light snack such as toast and tea.

If you are attending a class in a large yoga centre such as triyoga, they provide all the props you will need. In Hinckley all necessary props are provided. It is advisable that if you decide to stick with it that you eventually get your own sticky mat. This way you can start to practice at home.

A great way to begin yoga is to start with a beginners class or course. It’s a safe and specific environment that sets the foundation for a level 1 or multi-level class. If you cannot make it to beginners course, then start with a level 1 class and stick with this for at least a year or two before going to more advanced classes. Let the teacher know before the class begins that this is your first yoga class.

If you have an injury or a condition that may affect your ability to do the different physical postures, make sure you let the teacher know before the class begins or call the teacher in advance to discuss your situation. It’s also highly advisable that you get the go ahead from your GP or doctor before you start taking yoga classes. In most cases, the teacher is able to modify the poses to suit your needs. In some cases, it’s better to start with private yoga lessons, so that the teacher can assess your ability and specifically address your needs.

It’s advisable to get the go ahead from your midwife or GP before starting yoga, (especially if you have a history of miscarriage). Generally, during the first trimester, take it easy. If you don’t already have a yoga practice, this is not the time to start. If you already have a yoga practice, stick to very gentle classes and restorative yoga. The rule of thumb during this time is to take it easy and allow for the pregnancy to stabilize. The second and third trimesters are a great time to do yoga if you are healthy and your doctor gives you the go ahead. Adjust postures so that the belly is not restricted or impinged upon in any way: No deep twisting, deep backbends or abdominal strengtheners. Sun Salutations are not advisable unless it is specifically modified to suit the pregnancy. Stick to standing poses and poses that open the pelvic floor and hips and focus on breath awareness. The best way to do yoga during pregnancy is in a specifically designed ‘pregnancy’ yoga class. If you cannot find a specific class, talk to the teacher ahead of the class to make sure it would be a suitable class for you to attend. Note: This is not intended as medical advice - you should always consult a medical doctor in regards to your personal health and potential risks.

As you may or may not be aware, there are many different styles of yoga that are practiced today. Some are quite vigorous and acrobatic. Some are gentle and breath oriented. Some focus intensely on alignment and sequencing, and some focus on flowing from one posture to the next without a lot of alignment instruction. You may need to try different yoga classes to find out what style suits your needs and temperament. The yoga that I teach combines attention to detail, healthy alignment and sequencing with flowing aspects. One of my students described it as ‘dynamic alignment’. Each week the sequence of poses changes so that there is a general rotation through the different groupings of postures: standing poses, forward bends, backbends, twists, inversions and restorative postures. I always include at least 10-15 minutes of savasana, or relaxation, at the end of the class. Sometimes I include a short meditation practice. Breath awareness is included in every class.

No. Yoga is a personal practice that calls for a more conscious and aware way of living. The different yoga practices can enhance and support your connection to your own religious or spiritual beliefs.

Talk to your teacher. They will let you know. Generally, you should have a basic mastery of the standing poses before shifting to a more challenging class. A level 2 class expects that you have the strength and experience to start practicing inversions such as headstand and shoulderstand and the deeper backbends such as urdhva dhanurasana, upward facing bow.