New Students

Useful information and frequently asked questions for new students,
and those thinking about starting their yoga journey

Four weeks unlimited yoga for just £30?

Why Practice Yoga?

Never before have our nervous systems been so constantly stimulated than in today’s world of sensory overload. The drive in our culture to search for logic and meaning in every activity combined with the constant mental stimulation that most people encounter on a daily basis, means our minds run at full speed and our nervous systems are never completely relaxed. The practice of Yoga brings increased flexibility and decreased stress, leading to a general state of wellbeing.

To get out of your headspace

Yoga reminds you to direct your attention to your own needs as well as to the needs of others. It is the ideal path to achieving inner peace. If your aim is to be a happier human being, Yoga reminds you to have a sense of gratitude for what you have and to prioritise helping others and caring for all beings on the planet.

To relieve stress

Yoga reduces stress and anxiety in a unique way by decreasing the physical effects of stress and encouraging relaxation to reduce the levels of cortisol in your body. Practising Yoga can lower your blood pressure and heart rate, improve digestion and boost the immune system.

To improve your breathing technique

Yoga uses breathing exercises both in a passive position such as sitting or lying down as well as incorporated into postures and movement to help open your lungs and explore what it means to breathe consciously. Yoga encourages a more focused and centred way of breathing, providing effective stress-management and generally making you feel better.

To prevent injuries

Yoga reminds you to honour your body’s limits and needs. Beginning with a mental body scan and assessing yourself during your practice helps to reduce injuries. Moreover, Yoga provides flexible, well-stretched muscles that heal and recover more quickly after getting strained.

To gain strength and stability

Regular practice of more vigorous styles of Yoga, such as hot Yoga flow, promotes strength and stamina. This style of Yoga also offers the opportunity to use your core muscles through balancing poses, which can help improve your overall stability and sense of balance.

For weight management

Practising Yoga can aid weight control efforts by reducing levels of stress hormones as well as burning excess calories. Improved eating habits often arise out of the desire for a sense of lightness during your practice. No matter what your current or ideal weight is, Yoga will provide you with a heightened sense of wellbeing and self-esteem.

First time yogi?

Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY FIRST CLASS?

Your first class can be a bit daunting. Arriving at least 15 minutes before class is recommended and gives you time  to fill out the form for new students, ask any questions you may have, get changed into your Yoga gear and have a few minutes to acclimatise and relax.

WHAT TO BRING

A mat, towel and reusable water bottle.

WHAT TO WEAR

Loose fitting clothes. Like you’re going to a gym and expect to break a sweat. Lots of guys prefer to practise in shorts but really just wear what you feel good in. Not jeans though or a hat.

WHAT TO DRINK

Water! No seriously water is the right answer. We sell reusable bottles you can fill up or bring your own. We don’t recommend drinking during class if you can avoid it but hydrate before and rehydrate after.

WHAT TO EAT

If it’s a early class try just having a banana (or other fruit) of your choice. For other classes it’s generally a good idea not to eat for two hours before class.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Try to keep an open mind. We all encounter different things the first couple of times depending on our fitness, age and experience. You will get hot, sweat and probably get a little out of breath, the best thing to do if you need a break is just to lie down on your mat and slow your breath. Don’t feel you need to keep up or do every pose and remember everyone in the room at one time or another was in their first class and was feeling the same as you.

Common Questions

What's with the heat?
Right now we’ve toned down the heat and have both warm and cool classes. We like the heat though and hope to have hot classes back on the schedule asap.
1. It feels great. Sometimes the simplest reasons are the most compelling.
2. Sweat helps release toxins and excess debris, thereby naturally healing the body.
3. Promotes willpower, which assists in controlling the mind to be present and content.
4. Increases the depth of your postures, which means you have a deeper appreciation for your body’s limitations.
5. When you stretch, heat stimulates blood flow to different parts of the body, thereby boosting circulation and improving the functioning of the circulatory system.
6. Speeds up your pulse rate and metabolism.
7. Heat allows you to relax more easily, thereby helping you sleep better.
8. The heat is a challenge at first. This allows you to really notice your progress as it gets easier, so stick with it and enjoy the benefits as do many millions of people around the world!
Where can I park?

There’s free on road parking five mins from the studio all along on Dean Park Road: Dean Park Road, Bournemouth

For the early classes and on Sundays you can park right outside on Old Christchurch Rd.

There is a short stay car park on Glen Fern Road two minutes from the studio and a long stay multi-storey just opposite it.

If you’re visiting the studio during rush hour morning or evening, we advise setting off a little earlier to allow for unexpected traffic and time to find a car park so you don’t have hurry!
What happens at the end of my intro pass?
Can I leave before the class ends?

Ideally not, we’d like you to stay in the room so as not to create a disturbance to other students. Also for safety and security reasons (there is often no one out on reception during class times and the teacher needs to stay in the room with the students). However, if you need to visit the toilet, its ok to step out and return quietly. A simple head nod or wave to the teacher is appropriate to let them know you’re coming back.
I have a health condition.
Firstly always talk to your doctor, we are but simple yoga teachers and have lots of opinions but zero actual medical training.
- HEART CONDITIONS: We advise that you consult with your doctor as to whether Yoga is a suitable form of exercise for you.
- PREGNANCY: During the tender and risky time of your first trimester, we ask you to refrain from practising Yoga. If you are pregnant and have never practised Yoga before, we advise that you find a pregnancy Yoga class and come to One for All Yoga at least 8 weeks after the birth of your child. If you have had a regular practice for at least a year before becoming pregnant, we advise you talk to your doctor after becoming pregnant and a senior teacher after your first trimester about attending regular classes. If you have been practising for any less than this then we advise you to join a pregnancy Yoga class, and you can come back to One for All Yoga at least 8 weeks after the birth of your child. If you’d like to talk about this, just find Lucy as she’s been through all of this and will be able to answer your questions in more detail.
- HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: We would like you to consult your doctor before practising hot Yoga.
- ASTHMA: We ask all asthma sufferers to keep their blue inhalers with them when they practise.
Any reason I shouldn't be practising?
- If you are pregnant please see above
- If you are under 16 years of age.
- If you are fasting.
- If you have a fever.
- If you are already doing an intense detoxification.
Why all the Sanskrit?

This is a fair question that probably requires a longer answer than I’m going to give it but for me at least the sanskrit words we use such as the names of the postures are a way of honouring what has gone before us in the way of yoga teaching and practice. If it’s something you find creating a barrier to your practice just think of it like the “Love” used in tennis or “Googly” in cricket.
Um what?

Sadly we have to hold off chanting and Oming for the time being. Hopefully not for too long.

Om what! When the studio I was practising at started chanting before class I thought “Hmmmm, not totally sure I need this in my life” but I gave it a go (yogi peer pressure!) and what do you know I love it. Totally adore it. However I completely get that it just isn’t for some people and if that’s you just use the time to clear your head and meditate on your intention for the class.

Chanting for me is completely religion-agnostic in the sense that it is compatible with any belief or no belief, it is a beautiful way to set the stage for a class and allows us to punctuate our practice with an audible shared energy. Try it and who knows you may find yourself oming to yourself in the shower!

Ok one more thing. We often say that “Om” is the sound the universe makes to itself and I find that when I’m as far from civilisation as I can get and the air is still, I can feel the vibrations living organic matter makes and to me that is what Om sounds like, a pulsating all encompassing stillness.
Why is "Yoga" capitalised sometimes and not others?

Yoga Styles

For the time being we have taken our Hot Yoga and Restorative Yoga classes off the schedule, hopefully they will return before not too long.

Warm Hatha Vinyasa

A dynamic energizing practice combining classical Hatha postures with movement. Technique is refined to lengthen and tone your muscles as well as to boost your energy and flush your internal organs. You’ll improve quickly yet find it challenging enough that you can choose how deep you want to go and how many vinyasas you want to include. This class is enhanced with Far Infrared Warmth to deepen your practice.

Cool Vinyasa Flow

A dynamic practice balancing structure and stability with breath and movement. Explore a flowing physical practice with an emphasis on Yogic breathing and mindful transitions in between postures. Leave feeling balanced and centred.

Yin Yoga

A reverent introspective practice featuring classic Yin Yoga poses of targeted stretching. This practice focuses on opening connective tissues and joints with deep stretches, practised with a focus on internal awareness. Promotes circulation, flexibility and mobility of the joints, and stimulates the flow of qi, prana or subtle energy that runs through the meridian pathways, or nadis, of the body. Improves organ health, the immune system and emotional wellbeing. Most of the postures involve sitting or lying down, it is beautiful meditative experience.