For Beginners, and What to Expect

Wondering if yoga is for you? Or that you're not "in shape" enough to practice it? Anyone can practice yoga, whether young and healthy, sedentary or overweight.

Don't be intimidated by adept practitioners; if you can breathe, you can do yoga. There is a yoga practice that is right for your body and stage of life, and it is never too late to start.

Poses can be modified to offer beginners or those with limited flexibility a way to progress.

Since 2000, I have helped clients of all ages become healthier through yoga. My clients typically report to me an amazing list of benefits including: A decrease in blood pressure, increased flexibility and balance, improved posture, relief of chronic pain, more restful, deeper sleep, improved strength and energy levels, strengthened immune system, weight normalizing, and an overall feeling of well-being, just to name a few.

Because you are the focus of these lessons, we start from where you are. I will encourage you to challenge yourself, but you will never be pushed beyond your abilities. I will encourage you to listen to your body and respect its limits.

To not do so can be counter-productive and may aggravate existing problems. This is one important reason to work with a specialist who is trained to pace your progress for optimum results.

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"And the time came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."   -- Anais Nin

How Yoga Works

Here is a more detailed explanation of the primary benefits and how yoga works to achieve them:

• Stress relief. Stress takes a big toll on your health, interfering with the body's functions and weakening the immune system. Yoga reduces stress by encouraging relaxation and lowering levels of stress hormones, leaving you more resilient and less susceptible to illness. Your stress-relieving practice will leave you feeling calm, refreshed and uplifted.
  

• Weight loss. Yoga can help you lose weight by reducing cortisol levels, relieving stress, thereby reducing food and alcohol cravings and encouraging healthier eating habits. For more information on how yoga can help you lose weight, click here.
  

• Complete detoxification. Yogic breathing linked with movement and the gentle stretching of muscles and joints brings increased oxygen to your cells, improves circulation, and removes waste materials helping to clear the lymph system, kidneys, and skin, and aiding elimination functions, to revitalize you and recharge your mind and spirit.
  

• Pain relief. Sciatica, back pain, neck  pain, shoulder  pain, hip pain or knee pain are just some of the symptoms associated with muscle imbalance or weakness. I will design corrective postures to re-balance your body so your muscles support you properly. Muscle symmetry, simply put, alleviates pain. I encourage you to read more on how these unique techniques work.
  

• Recovery from injury. When you have a specific area that needs attention, a customized series of corrective postures will rehabilitate the injured area. I provide you a strategy to build strength, giving you a benchmark to work from. Rehabilitative yoga is one of my specialities.
  

• Cardio fitness. Even gentle yoga yields great benefits for the heart muscle: Yogic breathing allows the cardiopulmonary system to adjust to a healthier rhythm. You increase endurance and circulation, efficiently moving fresh, oxygenated blood to your body's cells.
  

• Flexibility and increased mobility. Yoga lubricates the joints and takes them through their full range range of motion. By using active stretching, you also increase flexibility without over-stretching. It's amazing how much easier activities like walking or running can become.
  

• Overall well-being. In addition to its many physical benefits, yoga works from the inside out to help balance moods, boost libido, and enhance concentration and focus, leading to improved self-confidence and mastery in life.
  

Copyright 2011 by Pam Lindsay & Austin Yoga Training, Austin, TX. All rights reserved.

"As a new retiree, I started yoga at age 57. It has improved my balance, strength and flexibility. I LOVE IT!"  -- Char Dison

"I came to yoga to increase my flexibility but gained the added benefits of stress reduction and reduced jaw pain. When I leave class, I have a peaceful and calm feeling."

  -- Jan Stovall

What to expect in your yoga sessions

When I come to your home or office for a private yoga session, all you need is some comfortable clothing you can move in, and an open mind. You will get more out of your practice if you are open to trying new things. Some guidelines:

• I will bring a yoga mat and all necessary props to make your practice comfortable and safe.
  

• Please designate a quiet space for your practice where you will not be interrupted, and turn off all cell phones, land phones, TVs, etc. to allow you to focus on yourself.
  

• I will conduct a joint and muscle test to assess weaknesses and imbalances.
  

• I will teach you specific poses, sequences and breathwork to relieve stress from your body and help improve flexibility in a session you'll enjoy.
  

• We will alleviate pain through gentle but targeted postures to aid healing.
  

• I will guide you and encourage you and give you hands-on assists as you begin working muscles according to your ability, at your own pace.
  

• You will experience a blend of therapeutic and corrective postures with stretching and restorative poses, followed by deep relaxation.
  

What you will gain

• Stress and anxiety begin to fall away
  

• Much more comfort and ease in your daily activites
  

• Improved, more balanced body alignment and freedom from pain
  

• More energy, mobility and strength
  

• Tools to maintain freedom from pain & to prevent injuries
  

• Reduced visits to additional practitioners
  

• Better focus, a brighter outlook
  

• A tremendous sense of accomplishment!
  

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