Yoga with Kim!

I'm Not Old, I Don't Need Yoga

Yoga is for everyone...in other words...everyone should do yoga. Why? Because as we age our bodies are tightening up. Our mobility becomes limited and we find movement difficult. But what if you are not old yet? Do you participate in sports? Maybe dancing? What about walking or jogging? What about sitting at your desk in the office all day? No matter where you are in life, you are a candidate for yoga. Yoga realigns your body. That means that all the impact your spine takes from simply walking, or maybe even worse, jogging, running, participation in contact sports or even extreme sports like motorcross racing, skate/snow boarding, skiing, the impact on the spine and other joints in the body is really damaging over time. To maintain a healthy, pain free body, you must maintain a healthy spine.

My Spine is a Slinky?

Think of your spine as a slinky. Each time you bend over and then return to a standing position, all the vertebra compact. This causes misalignment which is translated as pain over time. Not only will Yoga with Kim realign your spine, it will increase your lean muscle mass and improve your flexibility. A flexible joint moves more freely through range of motion requiring less energy. That means you have more energy to perform in your sporting events, recreation, or regular daily activities.

I'm Not Flexible, I Can't Do Yoga!

That's what they all say. Yoga is for those who are not flexible. This is not a competition. Yoga with Kim is a place to be yourself and work from where you are now toward where you want to be. You can make incredible strides in your strength and flexibility. You will even notice lean muscle definition, improved posture, and a sleek more attractive physique. I will show you how to adapt the position to your level and you will notice that you are only one of many who are smart enough to take the first step to feeling better and looking better. Yoga with Kim is taking charge of your health.

What to Wear

Clothing that you feel comfortable in. Clothing that moves when you do is the best. Avoid pants that ride down or bind at your waist line or become too bulky when bending over. We take our shoes off in class because it is easier to move and you have greater flexibility without a shoe. However, I tell participants if they want to keep their shoes on it's their choice. So you may want to have some kind of footie or something to keep your feet warm. Many people prefer to do yoga without socks, but a lot of people find themselves getting too cold. Again, it's up to you.

Do I Need a Mat?

I do have mats. Many people prefer to use his or her own mat for sanitary reasons. They want to avoid sharing germs which is probably wise. A nice thick sticky mat is best. If you are prone to being cold or mind the hard floor, a nice thick mat is best.

How Long Is Class and What Is It Like?

My yoga classes are usually about 45 minutes. We work through range of motion and strengthening for each major muscle group. So we move through a series of positions that may at first seem a little uncomfortable. Soon you will feel so comfortable you will wish we stayed in that position longer. Each position is held about 30 seconds. When you first begin in my classes, I will remind you that you may come out of the position any time you feel the need. You do only what is comfortable. We use a quiet background music to pull your mind away from the worries of your day so that you may focus on the here and now. That in itself is stress relieving. The class format is repeated with some variations in each class so you do get familiar with the position, yet your body and mind are still challenged.

If I Only Do What Is Comfortable, How Will I Make Any Progress?

The idea of no pain no gain is not only outdated, it never did apply to flexibility. Simply stated, you have a tendon that is there for protection. It will pull back when taken to the pain the same way your hand pulls back when you touch a hot surface like the stove, etc. When you work to pain you are defeating your purpose. When you work through tension you will gradually see yourself being able to do more and more. Your flexibility will increase as well as your strength and energy.