By Megan, Positive Prevention Coordinator

Great news - there is now a yoga class available especially for ACG participants, volunteers, and their friends and families!

There is a suggested donation of $5 a class, and all proceeds go to the AIDS Committee of Guelph. The classes are at 79 Norfolk Street at Moksha Yoga Guelph. They are on Mondays, from 2:00 - 3:00pm, all summer long!

If you have never done yoga before, you might have some questions or concerns. I have done yoga for many years and am avid promoter of yoga as a form of exercise, a practice for stress-reduction and pain management.  So I thought I would address common concerns and myths about yoga that might be deterring you from accessing this opportunity.

Concern #1: I'm not strong enough / healthy enough / thin enough to do yoga

Actually, traditional yoga is a gentle practice that is perfect for people of any fitness level or health status. In my years of doing yoga, I have noticed that the classes are always full of people of all ages, shapes and sizes. If you're with a good instructor, they will provide gentle guidance and one-on-one instruction to help you get into the pose safely. Instructors will provide modifications to each pose so that it's tailored to your ability. There are also props (cushions, bolsters, blankets) that can be used as supports.

Concern #2: I fear I won't be good enough

Yoga is not about pushing yourself to do each pose perfectly. Contrary to the way that yoga is commonly presented in the media, yoga is not competitive or only for super-fit athletes. It's more about paying attention to what feels right in your body.

Concern #3: I'm not flexible

Flexibility is one of the benefits of yoga, not a prerequisite. I have always had very poor flexibility. This just means that I need to do modifications of the poses. I am usually not able to do the extent of what more flexible people can do in the class. And that's okay. I just do what I can do. Again, this is a form of exercise that is non-competitive and focuses on what your own body is capable of. It's a great way to gain flexibility without pushing yourself so hard that you get injured.

Concern #4: Yoga is too hard

Unlike some other sports, yoga is about gentleness and care for the body. When getting into a pose, you are always taught to stop if it feels painful.  Advanced poses like headstands or some other things you might have seen are not taught in beginner lessons. They are for people who have been practicing for many years, and come with a great deal of support from teachers over time.

Concern #5: Yoga is not a good form of exercise

Although a beginner's practice is often very simple, it also builds strength and, to some degree, endurance. It builds strength using muscles throughout the entire body and holding poses for as long as possible. It is especially good for core strength, as you will find that you utilize your abdominal muscles quite a bit.

Concern #6: Yoga is boring

For people who are used to fast-paced sports or team sports like soccer or basketball, yoga may appear boring at first. There is no music or chatting during yoga. The poses move slowly. Each pose takes time to set it up carefully and slowly. This is to help you bring thoughtful attention to your breathing and to what each pose feels like. You pay attention to the entire body, right down to the muscles in your toes. It is a way to get in touch with you body and what it needs. But the concentration also helps us to be more "mindful" in life, which in essence means that instead of thinking or worrying about the future or past, we concentrate on the present - what is in front of us right now. This very practice helps us to reduce stress and anxiety.

Concern #7: I can't meditate

Most yoga practices include at least a small amount of meditation. People who say they can't meditate may have only tried it once or twice. Meditation is just like a form of exercise. It's like running - you might only at first be able to run for one minute at a time. But if you keep practicing, you can run for longer and longer periods. The same thing goes for meditation. You focus on the breath, the mind wanders. You bring it back to the breath. The mind wanders. You bring it back to the breath. And so on. Eventually you can do it for longer and longer. It's all about practice.

Concern #8: I don't have the right clothes

Forget about LuLuLemon. All you need are clothes you can comfortably move around in.  Sweatpants, t-shirts, even pajama bottoms. Whatever moves with the body is just fine! For women though, I would recommend a sports bra under your shirt or a tank top that clings to the body so you don't worry about your shirt sliding down when you get into the "downward dog" or other poses where gravity is involved!

Any other questions or concerns about yoga? Feel free to ask me! Or, go right to the source and email the instructor, Jeff at jmartine@uoguelph.ca.

Have fun!