3966 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611
Is Yoga Safe?
It’s definitely safe ... if you
listen carefully to the teacher’
s instructions, follow them as
closely as you can, and then
listen to and heed your own
body’s responses, backing off
or stopping completely when
the danger signal in your head goes off.
What is Yoga?
It would take a book the size of your Yellow Pages to answer this question
adequately. Just briefly then, the early schools of yoga first appeared in India at
least 2500 years ago. In general they consisted of relatively passive, meditative
practices aimed at self-investigation and self-fulfillment. You can still find
practitioners of these methods today, but they’re scarce; without doubt, the
most popular and widespread school of yoga in the US is Hatha Yoga, the
physically “forceful” (Hatha) yoga which emerged in India about 1000 years ago.
Traditionally Hatha Yoga focused primarily on the breath and controlled
breathing techniques, and physical posture (asana) was an auxiliary practice. But
nowadays the main emphasis is on the asanas, so much so that most Westerners
associate “yoga” almost exclusively with these postures. Don’t let the “forceful”
frighten you away: yoga classes run the physical gamut from very intense to very
mild. In any case the goal of Hatha Yoga remains the same as always: it’s a tool
for investigating, cultivating, and realizing your truest essence.
How Do I Find a Class?
As a new student, you’ll want a level 1 class (most beginning classes are
combined levels 1 and 2). Look at our schedule and check off the days and times
you’re available or can make yourself available if need be. It’s a good idea, if
possible, to try out a few different teachers at first, dropping in here and there
to give each one a test run. When you find a teacher you like, then it’s best to
stick with her/him. The better she/he gets to know you, the more she/he can
tailor instructions and adjustments to suit you. If you’re reluctant to go to a
class for whatever reason, call the teacher and ask a few questions about
her/his teaching approach. All of our teachers welcome your questions.
- "What is Yoga" PYS Panel Discussion - Panel Discussion from PYS 21st Anniversary Gala held March 2008. PYS welcomed world-renowned yoga teacher and author, Judith Lasater, and our own wonderful yoga teachers Tony Briggs and Yoko Yoshikawa who will discuss "Why Yoga Works". Moderated by Richard Rosen.
When Can I Start?
You can start anytime. Our
classes are on-going but not
serial; in other words, the
class you step into may have
been running for several
years, but each class is more
or less an independent event.
Your classmates’ experience
will vary from a few weeks,
to a few months, to several
years.
What Should I Bring to Class?
You don’t need to bring anything. You should wear a loose-fitting T-shirt and shorts, or tights and leotard. We practice in bare feet. You can leave your shoes outside the door but be sure to bring all your valuables with into the studio. We provide all the yoga props you’ll need, though many of our students prefer to bring their own yoga mats.