What is Yoga?

It is usually defined as Union. The term yoga comes from the Sanskrit word "yug" which means

to yoke or bind together. Yoga's Indian roots are thought to be at least 5-10,000 years old.

A comprehensive yoga practice uses the mind (meditation), the body (posture or asana), and the spirit (Bhakti) to shed the layers that stand between us and our Hearts (where knowledge and truth transform into wisdom and happiness). We don't do yoga, we practice yoga. Yoga is the goal. Yoga is enlightened awareness, the experience of bliss that lies beyond the veil of thought. Using movement, breath, postures, relaxation and meditation, yoga harmonizes the body, mind and emotions and establishes a vibrant and balanced approach to life. The beauty of yoga is in its versatility, allowing practitioners to focus on the physical, psychological or spiritual, or a combination of the three.

Yoga will help you live a happier, healthier life.

What is Hatha Yoga? Hatha Yoga is the physical practice of yoga, the deliberate linking together of physical movement to the deliberate movement of the breath. This is what constitutes Hatha Yoga. Out of this very basic idea has emerged a variety of yoga styles, all distinctly different in form and taught at different levels of experience. Some styles adhere to tradition, focusing on technique and precision, others are more creative and eclectic. All yoga classes taught here are a form of Hatha Yoga.   

Why do yoga?

We'd like to think that the old fitness mentality is over, that we are way past tearing ourselves to shreds simply to be more aesthetically pleasing. Hatha Yoga is about working the body sensitively.

It is about feeling good, not just looking good. The tone and shapeliness you attain from this work

is a by product. Yoga can inspire us to do more than we ever have before, and best of all,

ANY BODY CAN DO YOGA. Sticking with it will increase your strength, flexibility and balance.

While not intended as a substitute for a medical regime, yoga, in conjunction with your regular

health care program, can also:
Improve circulation, breathing and stamina,
Tone muscles and assist in weight loss,
Improve posture and ease muscle pain,
Stimulate the endocrine glands,
Improve digestion and elimination,
Improve certain heart conditions,
Boost the immune system,
Decrease cholesterol and blood sugar levels,
Sharpen concentration.

The focus at Triangle Yoga is balance and healing.

Do I need to be flexible to practice yoga?

NO! Yoga is non-competitive. We celebrate diversity in our classes and encourage all students to honor their 'edge', to start where they are and grow from that place. If your body is feeling tight you will undoubtably be more flexible after a month of classes. It might be hard to believe due to our assumptions about yoga because of the few images we've glimpsed, but yoga really has nothing to do with being flexible. Then why do all the poses seem designed to create flexibility? This is an important point! The poses really are not created to promote flexibility. They are created to heal or maintain the health and vitality of the places the poses expose. Yes, if you are carrying a lot of tension in an area a pose exposes, the tension will release, and your range of motion will increase. Yet, if there is no tension in the area, there is no need to release any, and the pose's job is now to maintain its tension free status as well as create stimulation, which facilitates circulation which promotes oxygenation which is a prerequisite for regeneration as well as flushing out toxicity. Remember, the goal is to maintain vitality, not to create flexibility. After all, too much flexibility creates a state of instability and that's not healthy. Just like we have different faces and personalities, we have different hips and different length hamstrings. We are not all supposed to get our head to our legs in forward bends. We all need to find our own place in each pose. That way the pose becomes ours. We are not supposed to look the same in every pose. The beauty of the human race is the differences among us all. It would be boring if everybody looked the same in every pose. Let's flourish in our differences. Plus, there isn't any proof that looser people are healthier or happier, so what's the point? Isn't the goal health and happiness? So, no, you don't need to be flexible. All you need is the time to breathe and move. Amen!

Do I need to be a vegetarian to practice yoga?
No, but we honor a vegetarian lifetsyle if it is important to you. We also honor selectarians; those of us who consciously select the food we eat. This differs from unconscious eating...eating due to old habits and patterns, without questioning health effects and potency. The Dalai Lama, who is considered in Tibetan culture to be a great Yogi, eats meat. What works for you? Experiment!

Which classes should I take?

Beginners should take any classes listed as LEVEL 1. See our schedule and class descriptions.

Do I need to sign up for my first visit or can I just show up?

If you are showing up for an ongoing class, you can simply come a few minutes before class in order to register and make your payment, sign in, meet the instructor and settle down. If you are taking a session class, it is best to call beforehand and sign up. We rely on class pre-registration to determine if there is adequate enrollment.

What do I wear?

It is best to wear layered clothing that is non-restrictive and allows you to move. Anything that you would wear to workout in is probably appropriate (spandex clothing, sweat suits, loose shorts, t-shirts, etc.). Yoga classes are done in bare feet. Remove your shoes before entering the classroom. There are many places outside the studio rooms to leave your shoes and other personal belongings. Help us keep our sacred space clean by removing your shoes before entering.

What do I bring?

Once you've registered and paid for your class or pass card (we accept cash, checks, and all credit cards) you need not bring anything. Yoga mats and props are provided compliments of the studio. However, we encourage you to buy your own mat for hygienic reasons. Mats are available for purchase in our Gift Shop. After class, neatly fold your mat and blanket and put away your props.

How early should I come?

First time students should arrive 15 minutes early to register. Otherwise, try to arrive for class about five or ten minutes early. This will give you time to find a comfortable spot, warm up, and relax before class starts. Many times, a quiet meditation starts the class, so this will also ensure that you don't distract others when you arrive. Latecomers should wait until after the opening meditation is finished before entering the class. Please sIgn the class sign-in sheet as you enter the yoga room.

Do women that are menstruating need to take any precautions?
ANSWER: Yes. No. Maybe. There are different points of view. Some yoga traditions say not to practice asanas (poses) at all during the full cycle of menstruation. Others say that asana practice is OK, just that one should refrain from any inverted postures (head stand, shoulder stand, plough, etc....) One of the issues seems to be the flow of toxic matter (discarded blood) down and out of the body, and not changing the direction of that flow. Although, there are many women who disregard all of these precautions and swear they are fine. So, again, after experimentation and using your rational and intuitive capacities, make your own decision. It's useful to remember that some of the issues here may be linked to a time when women were not allowed to practice yoga at all. Also, it is probably a good idea to question (Jnana Yoga) if any of us have ever heard that the menstrual cycle affects any other aspect of one's yoga practice or lifestyle outside of asana.

How do I prepare for class?

Try not to eat a heavy meal at least two hours before practice but a small snack is fine if necessary. If you are pregnant drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. If possible, bathe prior to practice. As some students have allergies, avoiding bodily odors as well as scented perfumes will help everyone breath more freely. Please stay at home if you are sick, and most importantly, leave your cellphone in your car! Sign in for class prior to entering the practice space. If you’re taking your first class with us, fill out a registration form. Most classes begin with 5-10 minutes of deep breathing (pranayama), continue with 50 minutes of seated and standing postures (asanas) and end with 5-10 minutes of relaxation.

When should I ask questions?

Be sure to mention any injuries or special concerns to instructors before class starts. Instructors are always available after class for additional questions.

What if I find my class too difficult?

When you purchase a class pass card you are not obligated to any one particular class. There are many different forms of yoga and teaching styles to choose from. Try a different class or a different instructor, and keep exploring until you find the approach that is just right for you.

Is Yoga a religion?

No. But the practice of yoga is a system that enhances the spiritual essence of all faiths. Practitioners come from many varied beliefs and all walks of life. We advocate and practice inter-faith tolerance.

Substitute Teachers

We all know how attached we become to a teacher. Unfortunately, due to life's twists and turns, it is not always possible that your teacher be there for you, in which case a substitute teacher would be used. Finding oneself suddenly faced with the unkown is regarded by most yogis as an opportunity to observe how we react and to learn from that. When expectations are thwarted, choosing to respond with an open mind and heart will take you far beyond your dreams.

Snow Policy

When snow or adverse weather is predicted, we monitor the conditions on an
hourly basis. Please call the studio and listen to the message, or visit our home

page which is continually updated as the weather situation changes.