Anyone. Just begin where you are, breathe and honor the wisdom within you.

Yoga is an ancient discipline that seeks to enhance the health of body, mind and spirit through the use of movement (stretching, strengthening, opening, releasing, contracting), breathing exercises, focusing techniques, meditation, ethics discussions, and more.

The practice of yoga requires no specific beliefs or worldview, only a willingness to slow down, go within and attend to the wisdom of the body.

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• Yoga can be as much or as little as you want it to be. For some it is purely a physical pursuit, keeping the body toned, strong and flexible. For others, yoga becomes more of a mindset and a way of living. Whatever your reason for practicing, or your level of experience, welcome
• The benefits of a regular yoga practice are many, from increased strength and flexibility - in mind as well as body - to more efficient functioning of internal organs - heart, lungs, glands, nerves, and more
• The stress-reducing effects of yoga can infuse every aspect of life with a new freshness and pleasure. Yoga calms the mind and makes you feel good!
• The relaxation and meditation invites deep stillness and peace
• To open yourself to a new experience while enjoying what you are
• It helps the healing process...whether it be an injury, dis-ease or peace of mind

Rising Sun Yoga Center suggests that you use your own mat for hygienic reasons.

You have the option of attending a Level I or a Gentle class, or even a private session. If this is your first time or you have not done yoga in years, we recommend a Yoga Intro Course to introduce you to the basics and elements of yoga. You will be introduced to yoga and all its aspects from the basic poses to the mechanics of breathing properly. The breath will remain an integral part of your yoga experience as you learn to move and position your body into an alignment that makes you feel free and unencumbered while opening up channels of energy you thought you lost years ago.

Yes, there are rules of etiquette observed in yoga, some of which are noted below. 

The yoga environment at Rising Sun Yoga is open, friendly and supportive. We value each student and do our best to create a community where everyone is encouraged to have their best personal yoga experience. To make that experience possible in a group setting, we ask that you be mindful of some basic yoga etiquette. 

Arrival Time

Please arrive for class 10 minutes early. This gives you time to park, get signed in and settled for class. Generally, anyone coming ten minutes after class has started will not be permitted into the yoga room. 

Waiting for Class to Begin

As we leave our shoes at the entranceway door, we also leave our egos and attendant conversations at the studio door. Some students wish to sit or lay in silence while others limber up to prepare for class. Being observant of that helps to let go of that which you may tend to carry in with you.

Late Arrival

Arriving late to class can happen from time to time to everyone. However, it should not become a pattern. When arriving late the following should be observed: 

If the class has begun and the opening meditation or chant is underway, then the student must wait outside the studio room before entering until this part of the class is over. When entering the studio, the student is asked to enter quietly and without noise. When unrolling and placing the mat on the floor, it too should be performed quietly.

No shoes are allowed on the wood floor. Please leave shoes in the foyer and coats in the coat area.

Purses/Wallets/Keys/Cell Phones

The only items allowed into the two studio rooms are your mat, wallet, keys, a towel and a non-sweating water bottle. If you drink ice cold water, then the container must prevent bottle sweating. Bottle sweating is dangerous to the instructor, other students, and the floor. It is recommended that purses are left in your vehicle. Phones are to be turned off or silenced unless you are a doctor or have an emergency situation. If such is the case, then the phone is to be set to vibrate and can be brought to your mat during practice. You are asked to not answer the phone in the classroom, but rather go to the Changing Room and talk.

You are welcome to bring a water bottle to class, but we ask that you do not bring cups of water or other beverages. The instructor moves throughout the room during class and spilling a cup of water is a disruption to the whole class. 

Injuries or Conditions

Please talk to your instructor about any pre-existing physical condition, old sports injuries or health concerns that might be relevant to your yoga class. Teachers will do their best to provide modifications to suit your needs. 

Perfumes and Fragrances

Please refrain from wearing any perfumes, fragrances, colognes or cigarette smoke to class as others are sensitive to these fragrances.

Departure Time

Please let the instructor know if you need to leave class early — and then please do so quietly.

Many times those who are not inherently flexible actually benefit from yoga the most. In addition, most yoga poses can be modified for beginners so that everyone can do a version of the poses.

Yoga is more than a set of exercises to increase flexibility, however. Different skills are needed for different yoga poses: some help the practitioner gain strength, others challenge balance, and others train attention and concentration.

What we have noticed over the years is that those who are not flexible, continue the practice of yoga. Those who are very flexible, do not continue. 

• Be mindful of others during opening meditation by maintaining silence.
• Wait 1-2 hours after eating to practice yoga.
• Drink plenty of water before and after class.
• Inform the teacher of any injuries prior to class. This allows the teacher to suggest modifications for the postures.
• Consider purchasing a yoga mat. This will serve you energetically & hygienically. Remember that mats need washing from time to time.
• Turn all pagers and cell phones off before attending.
• Feel the freedom of entering with a smile.

A double blind study published in the December 2005 edition of the Annals of Internal Medicine showed that 3 months of a specifically designed yoga practice gave significant relief to subjects suffering chronic back pain. Many aspects of yoga make it ideal for treating back pain and neck pain. For example, studies have shown that those who practice yoga for as little as twice a week for 12 weeks make significant gains in strength, flexibility, and endurance, which is a basic goal of most rehabilitation programs for back pain or neck pain.

In addition, the breathing and meditation aspects of yoga induce a "relaxation response" that has been found in many studies to assist people in decreasing their pain. Yoga has also been found to be helpful in the treatment of depression and anxiety that often accompany pain problems.

Yes, most definitely. Yoga is a spiritual practice which is universal in its approach For most, it is a mind/body practice involving no spirituality or religiosity. It can be practiced by individuals of all creeds and with any set of beliefs.

Because the nose is an integral part of the respiratory system, allowing the air to be warmed, moistened and filtered. Nose breathing enhances the immune system. But, most importantly, nose breathing activates the relaxation response. Mouth breathing does not provide any of this.

Short answer: Raja Yoga with emphasis on all the limbs (angas) of yoga.

Long answer: there are four (4) types, and many styles, of yoga. One of the types is Raja Yoga which has various components, such as the Yamas and Niyamas (ethics or codes to live by), Asanas (postures), Pranayama (control of the breath and energy (prana)), Dharana (Concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness), Dhyana (Meditation), and Samadhi (enlightenment). Most schools focus on the Asanas (postures) and Pranayama (breath). At Rising Sun Yoga, we focus on all the above.

One style is Iyengar Yoga which focuses in on the poses in order to find release through the physical body. The idea is that correcting your posture helps to improve your physical and emotional states of mind. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind. This style requires that you know your body well and are able to move it as you wish.

At the Rising Sun Yoga Center, we teach a few different styles with variations that provide a different flavor dependent upon the instructor teaching.

No, but the healthier you are, the easier it is to move and the better you feel about your self. Those who have practiced yoga for even a short period of time have noticed the benefits that the Asanas (postures) and Pranayama (breathing exercises) provide the body. Besides making you much healthier physically, you begin to notice positive changes in your mental and emotional states.

Of course you can and what a perfect reason to do yoga. Yoga is not just about being flexible. Practicing the Asanas brings countless benefits physically, mentally, energetically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. If your body is out of shape you should practice gently at first taking care not to create any injuries. You will receive many of the benefits available to the more advanced practitioner. Do the Asanas (poses) as well as you can and remember to breathe deeply and rhythmically, keeping your self relaxed and focused. And remember, with practice comes flexibility.

It depends on your schedule and your preferences. Although the most logical order is as above, any order is OK. If you practice early morning, we recommend to start with meditation; your mind will be more quiet right after waking up and your body is still too stiff for doing Asanas (postures) right away.

Traditionally, the Asanas are practiced before the breathing techniques (Pranayama) but doing Pranayama before the Asanas helps the students become more focused and aware.

Remember the most important thing is to actually practice. Don't just keep sitting in front of your computer. Breathe and stretch once in a while :-)

Yes, class passes can be used for any class offered at Rising Sun Yoga. You are not locked into attending any particular class with a class pass. For instance, if you purchase a class pass for a Tuesday evening class, you can then attend the Thursday morning class or the following Monday evening class. The choice is yours.

However, you cannot attend Seminars/Workshops or Courses using your class pass. These are paid for separately and not part of the class pass system. Seminars, Workshops and Courses are usually highlighted in bold on the Schedule tab.

Sanskrit is the Language

“The extraordinary thing about Sanskrit is that it offers direct accessibility by anyone to that elevated plane where two [seeming opposites], mathematics and music, brain and heart, analytical and intuitive, scientific and spiritual, become one.” – Vyaas Houston

Sanskrit is the oldest most continually used language in the world and may represent the oldest and most original form of human language. It is a language based on vibration, and is extremely precise, both in meaning and sound. Sanskrit is the language upon which yoga was built; from ancient spiritual texts, to mantras, to asana names. It is a very specific, logical, beautiful, spiritual language.

Sanskrit has the largest collection of literature of any language; from the Vedas and great epics (Mahabharata and Ramayana) that shaped Hindu philosophy, mythology and religion, to works on science, astrology and mathematics. As an unambiguous natural language, it is the only language we know of that can be logically understood by computers and translated into binary code.

Vedic teaching considers the whole world to be made up of sound, and all knowledge to be expressed through sound (in the beginning was the Word (which was audible...which is sound!). When the texts are pronounced correctly the knowledge permeated in them is transmitted, as sanskrit is inseparable from the knowledge of yoga and the scriptures

Yes, it is a requirement that all involved in the administration of the Rising Sun Yoga studio adhere to the following Code of Ethics and Conduct:

Statement of Purpose

The Code of Ethics and Conduct forms Rising Sun Yoga’s accountability framework and provides a guide for all involved in administering any program offered under the auspices of this Center.

Equality

Rising Sun Yoga is a studio where everyone, regardless of age, race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, is treated fairly without discrimination, abuse or exploitation. In a community such as ours, all members should feel comfortable to safely explore their practice at, or within the domain of, this studio.

We, the owners, teachers and staff, agree to manage our personal lives in a healthy fashion, to establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships, and to cultivate an attitude of humanity in our teaching.

Respect for Others

Respecting the rights of others and living in integrity are basic tenets we all share as members of the Yoga community. We vow to honor your boundaries, demonstrate respect in our language (words, style and tone), and foster a safe and protected environment in which all of us can grow in body, mind and spirit.

Personal and Professional Responsibility

We commit to a personal and professional code of conduct exhibiting character, benevolence, politeness, sincerity, integrity, and loyalty to those we serve, our students. We shall exercise care toward those who depend on us for their well-being and we shall refer students to other qualified yoga teachers within our community when we do not possess the skills necessary to teach safely and properly.

Practice of Our Teachings

Regarding ethical and moral behavior, each teacher commits to devoting her/him self to practicing the structural framework or eight limbs of Yoga as a way of life and remaining a student through continued education of the Yoga philosophy.

Truth and Non-Harming

We are responsible for assuring and maintaining a studio environment free from harm.

We acknowledge the power differential between student and teacher and commit to maintaining appropriate boundaries in our efforts to avoid exploitation of those differences. We shall refrain from relationships of a romantic nature with students (excluding pre-existing relationships). If a consenting relationship is desired between teacher and student, the teacher will consult the Rising Sun Ethics Committee before any relationship ensues.

All forms of inappropriate sexual behavior or harassment involving students are unethical and shall not be tolerated, even when a student invites or consents to such behavior or involvement. Inappropriate behavior is defined as, but not limited to, all forms of seductive speech, gestures, and behaviors as well as physical contact of a sexual nature; harassment is defined as, but not limited to, repeated comments, gestures, or physical contact of a sexual nature.

Rising Sun Yoga seeks to eliminate such harassment and behavior through education, by encouraging teachers, staff, volunteers, and students to become familiar with the Code of Ethics and Conduct and to report concerns or complaints to a member of the Ethics Committee¹.

Privacy and Confidentiality

All student records and confidential information are either stored in a manner that assures security and confidentiality or maintained within the confines of conversations conducted between student and teachers. We treat all communications with students with professional confidence. We do not disclose student confidences to anyone except other teachers associated with Rising Sun Yoga who have a need to know or as mandated by law. With respect to complaints of sexual harassment and/or inappropriate behavior, Rising Sun Yoga will make every reasonable effort to conduct all proceedings in a manner that will protect the privacy of all parties.

Everyone is different. Feeling better is subjective and can be an improvement physically or emotionally or with your peace of mind.  I was in wegmans in Nov of 2011 and saw one of my students who had been attending classes for 6 months. She said : "I began yoga for the physical benefits but I have to tell you that I'm feeling less stressed these days and I only just recently noticed that difference.

We have heard that answer many times. There is a huge difference between yoga in a gym and yoga in a yoga studio. The differences are great and many, but here are a few:

1. The gym environment is vastly different and not at all conducive to stilling the mind, and finding some peace and quiet. The quality of instructor and instruction is different.

2. The quality of instructor is usually vastly different. Our yoga studio requires years of training, a set minimum amount of instruction and a life lived. That is, our instructors have lived life and can teach more than poses or sequencing. They have life experience and teach from that. Although there is the rare yoga instructor who teaches at a gym who has more than a weekend trainng certification and is actually qualified to teach, it is a rarity.

3. The quality of instruction is vastly different. Our instructors know how to build an design a class. They know how to move you in and out of poses, and they understand how to modify when a physical limitation prevents you from going deeper.

Yoga classes, workshops, seminars, and courses conducted at Rising Sun Yoga may be photographed, recorded or filmed for promotional and marketing use. Your participation at these yoga classes events acknowledges your consent to the use of your image, which may coincidentally be photographed or recorded, in various media.

You get a free class for your birthday valid one day prior, day of, and one day after your birthday. Proof of birthdate required.