Apex Yoga International

for the love of your body
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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."  -Margaret Mead
 

 
WHAT IS YOGA?
Yoga is an ancient tradition from India documented to be over 4,000 years old and commonly thought to be a 10,000 year old tradition. Yoga is relatively new to the west
 
and came to the United States about 100 years ago. Yoga is about disciplining the
 
opposing forces of nature in one’s body in order to bring balance. When the physical
 
body is in balance, internal organs and glands begin to function better and overall
 
health improves. Yoga has many physical benefits because it improves the immune
 
system and also helps balance the emotions leading to reduced stress. Yoga is widely
 
recognized for its ability to increase flexibility, yet it also increases strength and
 
improves posture and alignment.  The style of yoga most often taught in the U.S. is
 
Hatha Yoga. “Ha” means sun and “Tha” means moon. Hatha is a very general term that
 
can encompass many of the physical types of yoga and does not describe a specific
 
style, but rather it denotes the physical yoga asana (posture) practice. Hatha classes
 
are usually slow-paced and gentle. Hatha classes can provide a good introduction to
 
the basic yoga poses. Compared to Vinyasa, Hatha yoga tends to be a slower
 
practice where postures are detailed and held for longer periods of time.
In terms of yoga practice, Vinyasa means breath-synchronized movement. Compared to Hatha classes, Vinyasa tends to be a more vigorous style based on the
 
performance of a series of Sun Salutations in which movement is linked to the breath.
 
Most Vinyasa classes start with a repetition of Sun Salutations to warm up the body for
 
more intense stretching which is usually done at the end of class. Vinyasa it is free-
 
flowing and each movement is linked to the inhalation and/or exhalation of breath.
 

 

SHOULD I EAT BEFORE YOGA?

It is advisable to not eat a large meal two hours before the class. The twists and other movements of yoga may disturb your digestive process. People whose

 

digestion runs more quickly may be able to do yoga sooner after a meal. A cup of

 

herbal tea or a piece of fruit can sometimes be enough hold you until class is

 

over. Make sure you drink a lot of water before, during and especially after class.

 

Similar to after a massage, water will help flush out any toxins in the body that

 

may have been worked out during your yoga practice.

 
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
 
Wear comfortable clothing. Yoga is done with bare feet to emphasize the muscles and
 
structure of the feet in various yoga poses.
 
You can wear socks if you would like, but
 
please be aware that yoga mats are designed
 
to be used with bare feet. Consequently, you
 
may find your feet slipping during your
 
practice if you wear socks. In general,
 
clothing that you would wear to workout in will
 
be fine in yoga: shorts and lose pants with a
 
T-shirt or tank top.
 
Apex Yoga International
 
Chicago, IL 60660
 
970-690-5283