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Typical Beginner Class

Benefits of Yoga

Class Schedule Coming Soon

Here are some thoughts on Frequently Asked Questions.

Am I strong enough / flexible enough / in good enough shape to do yoga?
Will I look like a fool because I do not know what I am doing?
What do I wear?
What do I bring?
What should I expect the first class?
How much does it cost?

Am I strong enough / flexible enough / in good enough shape to do yoga?

YES.

Strength: You do not need to be strong to enjoy a yoga class.  In fact, yoga will help you get stronger in a safe and friendly way.  While there are certainly some poses that require great strength to achieve, there are many more poses that nearly everyone can do with ease.  The important thing is to find a class that matches your abilities.  And once you have found a class that is good for you, there are always ways to modify each pose to your fitness level.  The exciting thing about it is that you will get stronger each class and if you stick with it long enough, you will will be able to do poses that you once thought impossible.

Flexibility: We have heard it a thousand times, "I am not flexible enough to go to yoga class." We think this is simply not true.  I like to tell a story of a middle school student who similarly claimed that she connot go to History Class because she does not know anything about US History.  Of course, that excuse is the exact reason that she will benefit from a History Class. Yoga is the same way. In fact, the more inflexible you are, the more you can benefit from the flexibility increases that yoga can provide. And do not worry about the poses that look imposible, those are for gumbies and people who have been doing yoga a long time.  There are thousands of poses that even the most inflexible people can enjoy.

In Shape: You may be one of those people who has been putting off your first yoga class untill you are in better shape, so that you can look good at your first class.  While many share this reasoning, the reality of the situation is two fold.  First, the only way to get in better shape is to start something new like yoga.  And second, others will not be paying attention to how in shape (or out of shape) you are, as much as you think. Yoga is more about improving the health of your body, than it is about looking good. Emphasis is placed on working within your current fitness level.  Each week you will be in better shape and will be amazed at what you can do.

Will I look like a fool because I do not know what I am doing?

No.

Everyone who does yoga has been to their own first yoga class. We all understand that it can feel awkward to start something new, no matter what it is.  Luckily in a yoga class, everyone is paying attention to themselves, and are not focusing on whether or not you can do a pose.  The trick is to find a class designed for beginners. Beginner classes teach you everything you need to know to be comfortable in class and to improve your poses.  You can always ask questions before or after class.  At Keene Community Yoga, we encourage you to come early to your first class so that we can give you more information and answer any questions you have about your first class.

What do I Wear?

You might already have a picture in your mind of what yoga wear looks like from magazines and yoga-bound friends. Yes, there are lots of great yoga clothes and accessories out there, but don’t let that fool you into believing you need to go shopping to fit in at the studio.

Dress comfortably in free-moving yet slightly fitted clothing. This allows for you to stretch and bend easily, but ensures that your clothes will stay in place when you bend or invert your body.

Dress in layers so you can take off pieces as you warm up and replace them as you cool down for final relaxation. Think tank top or T-shirt with long-sleeves and/or zip-up layer over top.

Footwear Most people practice barefoot. Some wear socks–however you are comfortable.

Hair If you have long hair you may want to pull it back and out of the way.

What do I Bring?

Mats We encourage students to bring their own mats. They come in a variety of colors, thicknesses, and textures. We sell eco-friendly mats at the studio, or you can purchase others in town. Find one that suits you and that inspires you to practice. The studio does have some mats to lend. We ask you to please clean the mat after use or to pay $1 to cover the time and cost of cleaning.

Water It’s important to stay hydrated as you work your body. Bring a water bottle if you like. We also provide complimentary herbal tea at the studio.

Arrival It’s good to arrive at least 15 minutes before your class. Come a bit earlier if this is your first time to our studio so you can get acquainted with our space and fill out any necessary paperwork.

Avoid eating right before class A good rule of thumb is to avoid practicing on a full belly. It is recommended that you do not eat a heavy meal 3 hours before practicing yoga. A snack is okay if you need one.

Turn off cell phones when you enter the studio space so we can maintain the peace we are cultivating through yoga. This is a good time to leave the outside world outside and go within.

What should I expect the first class?

Our classes run between an hour and an hour and a half (see the schedule for exact times) and many follow the same general format. Some classes are different, but here’s what you can expect:

Opening Teachers begin class by bringing awareness into the moment. They may do this through breath awareness, intention setting, and/or chanting an ‘Om.’

Warm-ups Before getting into deeper stretches, it is important to warm the body. Teachers guide students through a series of motions to get blood flowing through the muscles. Warm-ups may include Sun Salutations, a moving and breathing exercise that bends and stretches the body.

Postures After warm-ups, students are guided into a series of postures. Now that the muscles are primed for movement, postures will include deeper stretching and longer holds.

Closing postures and Savasana Following the core postures of the class, students are brought into savasana (pronounced ‘sha-va-sana’) or final relaxation through a few gentle closing postures. The teacher may lead a guided relaxation and then allow the peace to settle around you for about 10 minutes. Savasana is wonderful. Enjoy it!

How much does it cost?

Classes range from $6-$12 for a class that is about an an hour or an hour and a quarter in length.

Please see our pricing page for more details.