FAQ's

What is yoga? Developed in India, Yoga is the name given to an ancient practice that helps to create a sense of union in all aspects of ourselves; in body, mind, and spirit. People have been practicing yoga for thousands of years in order to feel at peace with themselves. The word "Yoga" means union.
What is Hatha yoga? This is what most people think of as yoga. Here you find the physical postures, poses, and exercises that work directly on the body and, in turn, on the mind. People are attracted to Hatha yoga because its benefits are felt immediately. It relaxes the body, clams the mind, and brings greater awareness to your life.

What are the benefits of yoga? Those who regularly practice yoga can expect to achieve a calmer mind and body with a greater resistance to stress. Yoga helps one to keep everything in perspective and to take life's challenges in stride.

What types of yoga are practiced at Park City Yoga Studio? Please see Class descriptions.

Is yoga a religion? Yoga is not a religion. It is a philosophy that began in India an estimated 5,000 years ago. The Yoga Sutra scriptures provide a framework for spiritual growth and mastery over the physical and mental body. Yoga sometimes interweaves other philosophies such as Hinduism or Buddhism, but it is not necessary to study those paths in order to practice or study yoga.

Is yoga stretching? Pantanjali’s eight-fold path illustrates how the physical practice is just one aspect of yoga. Even within the physical practice, yoga is unique because we connect the movement of the body and the fluctuations of the mind to the rhythm of our breath. Connecting the mind, body, and breath helps us to direct our attention inward. Through this process of inward attention, we learn to recognize our habitual thought patterns without labeling them, judging them or trying to change them. We become more aware of our experiences frm moment to moment. The awareness that we cultivate is what makes yoga a practice, rather than a task or a goal to be completed. Your body will most likely become much more flexible by doing yoga, and so will your mind.

How many times per week should you practice? Yoga is amazing - even if you only practice for one hour a week, you will experience the benefits of the practice. If you can do more that, you will certainly experience more benefits. We suggest starting with two or three times a week, for an hour or an hour and a half each time. If you can only do 20 minutes per session, that’s fine too. Don’t let time constraints or unrealistic goals be an obstacle - do what you can do and don’t worry about it. You will likely find that after a while your desire to practice expands naturally and you will find yourself doing more and more.

What does Om mean? Om is a mantra, or vibration, that is traditionally chanted at the beginning and end of yoga sessions. It is said to be the sound of the universe. What does that mean? Somehow the ancient yogis knew what scientists today are telling us - that the entire universe is moving. Nothing is ever solid or still. Everything that exists pulsates, creating a rhythmic vibration that the ancient yogis acknowledged with the sound of Om. We many not always be aware of this sound in our daily lives, but we can hear it in the rustling of autumn leaves, the waves on the shore, and the inside of a seashell. Chanting Om allows us to recognize our experience as a reflection of how the whole universe moves the setting sun, the rising moon, the ebb and flow of the tides, the beating of our hearts. As we chant Om, it takes us for a ride on this universal movement, through our breath, our awareness, and our physical energy, and we begin to sense a bigger connection that is both uplifting and soothing.