What to Look For in a Class

As with tai chi, some information about the history and types of yoga may be helpful in evaluating a class. Yoga started in India more than 2000 years ago, and numerous styles have evolved through the years. The practice of yoga is a meditative one, intended to bring one to a deeper understanding of the universe and of truth, although it has developed a greater focus on physical aspects (Austin and Laeng 2003).

Hatha yoga, as already noted, is one of the most common forms practiced on the North American continent. Even within this form, there are many styles with slightly different focuses. In general, there are eight philosophical principles, called ashtangas, which guide yoga practice. Two of these, asana and pranayama, serve as the basis of hatha yoga; they guide physical postures and breathing patterns, although the other principles are also used. Techniques and principles are supposed to have specific benefits related to different physiological systems. For example, some of the pranayama techniques are supposed to help the respiratory system through back extension coordinated with breathing patterns. A few yoga styles have been developed for therapeutic purposes and use modified positions and some equipment.

As when considering any other class, you should ask a few questions:

1. What is the focus of this particular class and for whom is it designed?
2. What are the instructor's credentials?
3. Does the instructor individualize physical postures?
4. Are equipment adaptations available if necessary?

You may find that a class designed for older or arthritic people is preferable, at least to start with. The postures are less likely to be extreme and some adaptations using equipment are usually included. Two modifications that I think are vital are mats and some sort of railing or stable support device. Doing some of the postures on a hard floor can aggravate stiffness and pain. A grab bar can increase safety when performing challenging one-legged standing postures.

The better instructors have a few years of experience, both with yoga and with various physical limitations. Each style of yoga has its own set of teacher certification standards, which can be frustrating if you are trying to find out about your instructor s credentials. One effort to address this problem has been the creation of the Yoga Alliance Registry, which identifies minimum standards and includes all styles. I have supplied contact information for the registry in the resources section at the end of the book.