What to Expect at VidaLoca Integrative Yoga & Nutrition

It is encouraged for everyone to bring their own yoga mat, although mats are available at no cost with your session. You may also want to bring some water and a towel. No worries if you forget either, because the studio has a community-style kitchen where you can help yourself to coffee or tea and anything in the fridge and fresh towels for you to borrow. Though the studio doesn't offer hot classes, the sun shines in through the second level studio offering an opportunity to warm up naturally. Warm towels and hot stones are included in some classes, so you may get a bit sweaty.

Class structure may feel quite casual compared to other studios. To integrate health coaching and workshops into every meeting on our mats, it's important that everyone feels like they have a chance to unwind between the commute to the studio and coming to the mat. We check in prior to class starting and typically reserve time after to chat.

You will notice that there isn't a varied class style description for each class on the schedule. The instructor always offers personalized classes, so your input and what you're seeking is how the class is structured for that hour.

Benefits of Yoga

Article from Yoga Alliance

Stress relief: The practice of yoga is well-demonstrated to reduce the physical effects of stress on the body. Yoga practice has been demonstrated to reduce the levels of cortisol. Most yoga classes end with savasana, a relaxation pose, which further reduces the experience of stress.

Pain relief: Studies have shown that practicing yoga asanas (postures), meditation or a combination of the two, reduced pain for people with conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, auto-immune diseases and hypertension as well as arthritis, back and neck pain and other chronic conditions.

Better breathing: Yoga includes breathing practices known as pranayama, which can be effective for reducing our stress response, improving lung function and encouraging relaxation. Many pranayamas emphasize slowing down and deepening the breath, which activates the body's parasympathetic system, or relaxation response.

Flexibility: Yoga can improve flexibility and mobility and increase range of motion. Over time, the ligaments, tendons and muscles lengthen, increasing elasticity.

Increased strength: Yoga asanas use every muscle in the body, increasing strength literally from head to toe. A regular yoga practice can also relieve muscular tension throughout the whole body.

Weight management: People do not have to practice the most vigorous forms of yoga to lose weight. Yoga encourages development of a positive self-image, as more attention is paid to nutrition and the body as a whole.

Improved circulation: Yoga helps to improve circulation by efficiently moving oxygenated blood to the body's cells.

Cardiovascular conditioning: Even a gentle yoga practice can provide cardiovascular benefits by lowering resting heart rate, increasing endurance and improving oxygen uptake during exercise.

Presence: Yoga connects us with the present moment. The more we practice, the more aware we become of our surroundings and the world around us. It opens the way to improved concentration, coordination, reaction time and memory.

Inner peace: The meditative effects of a consistent yoga practice help many cultivate inner peace and calm.