My First Yoga Experience

Daniella CastanedaDr. Leanna WolfeAnthropology 102

Spring 2013

A look in to Core Power Yoga

The studio that I visited is Core Power Yoga in Encino California, pictured here is the main room before entering your yoga studio. They have a variety of yoga apparel, water bottles and yoga matts for sale.

Before/After Class

There is a locker room both men and women’s for the students to change in and take a shower after along work out. They are given plenty of towels in case the room they do yoga in is “hot.”

Inside the Studio• Note: I was not allowed to take photos during the class

due to the studio rules, I was able to photograph the class instructors instead This studio in particular is kept around 96

degrees, most of the higher level classes are done in here. Notice the candles and the dim lighting in order to keep a more meditative space not only for the students but for the instructor as well. While sitting in on this class of more experienced ‘yogis’ I noticed there is a significant amount of vocabulary that is esoteric to the yogi community things such as “sigh out” or “high mountain”

Time for Yoga

Some of the bigger points I saw while observing the yoga class were breathing styles and the importance of the student having the correct form for poses. Making sure you are willing to let go of any negativity you walked into the studio with is a necessity. Half an hour into the class a sense of serenity starts to take over you as the instructor guides you through your poses.

Yoga: Exercise and a way to Relieve Stress

Sitting in on a Yoga class was definitely a great experience for me, I learned that a work out does not necessarily mean going to the gym and working hard, it can be a relaxing environment where you go to relieve yourself of daily stress. People of all ages, shapes, and sizes can do yoga, there is no discrimination.