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While the art of Yoga has been around for centuries, it can be hard to know what to expect from your first yoga class. While you can expect different intensity levels from each varying form of yoga, what else can you really expect from each class? Will everyone be perfect at poses? Will you be giggled at for finding it difficult? What if you find yourself lost when trying to execute a pose? Here is what you can realistically expect from your first yoga class at Ohm Santih.

Nailing all the Poses will Prove Difficult for Everyone

Yoga works muscles you didn’t know existed, it puts your body in poses that doesn’t come natural to most people. Most of the poses you’ll do will feel foreign to you and prove difficult even if they look easy. No one expects you to nail your poses in your first class, just like you wouldn’t expect anyone else to. Yoga is a non-competitive art form. If you begin to wobble or fall over simply pick yourself back up, centre yourself and try again. If you find it difficult to comprehend the poses being executed, take the time to study your instructor or your neighbour.

Your Instructor will Adjust your Poses, if You’re Comfortable with it

When practicing Yoga, a hands on teaching approach can be very useful. Instructors will often walk around the class, helping people move their bodies into the correct position when needed. This will allow you to understand where your body needs to be compared to where it is. This is very useful because it can be near impossible to maintain your balance in certain poses while craning your neck to look at other classmates. Most instructors will ask if anyone is uncomfortable with being adjusted during class. If you are uncomfortable with this idea, just voice this out to your instructor. If they do not ask this and you are uncomfortable with the prospect of it, let them know before class begins.

The Emphasized importance of Breathing

It is only natural to hold your breath while performing certain tasks, especially those that we find challenging. However, breathing is a crucial and methodical element in Yoga. The routine of breathing in Yoga is called Pranayama and will often require you to tailor your breathing in a certain manner. Often in Yoga, you’ll be asked to inhale when you open your chest and exhale on bends. Exhaling in twists will also help detoxify your body and most importantly your lungs. Your instructor will always inform you of a breathing routine during poses, so there’s no need to fret.

You’ll Hear the Famous ‘Namaste’ A lot

Namaste translates to ‘I bow to you’ and is seen as a gesture of respect and gratitude. This simple word creates a bond between the whole class; you, your instructor and classmates. It is usually said before and after class, accompanied with the action of putting your palms together and bowing.

The influx of social media yogis presenting intricate yoga poses on your feed or the flexible yogi practitioner often depicted in movies can be enough to scare you away from trying out the popular exercise. There is no need to be intimidated, these people have had years of practice and do not reflect a beginner yogi. At Ohm Yoga, our classes adhere to the non-competitive nature of yoga and will leave you feeling amazing not inferior.

The Pregnancy Experience varies from person to person. Some women find that their body goes through a multitude of scary changes while others don’t notice much. Some find themselves sore while others feel only the pregnancy glow. Whichever Pregnancy Experience you’re going through, Prenatal Yoga will add to your life in a way you never thought possible. At Ohm Santih, we have several prenatal classes that will help you discover the place of Prenatal Yoga in your pregnancy.

Supporting Network

You can never have too much support during a pregnancy. Joining a prenatal yoga class affords you the support of women in the same boat as you, to meet other expecting mothers with whom you can share your concerns or joys with. Often time a pregnant woman’s support system includes family and friends, while this is still a strong and amazing system…Nothing can live up to the support other pregnant women can give you.

Benefits of Prenatal Yoga

It can take a while for your body to get used to carrying a whole other life in your belly. It can be quite a stressful experience for your body. Subsequently resulting in disturbed sleep, headaches, stress, lower back pain and etc. Yoga in itself is known for overall wellness, mental and physical health. Allowing your body the opportunity to recuperate in a low-intensity prenatal yoga class will help alleviate the stress on your mind and body, ultimately ushering you into a better pregnancy.

It’s tailored to Pregnant Women

For those who have never practiced yoga before, choosing to practice it while pregnant may seem daunting. However, Prenatal Yoga is tailored to suit the cautious requirements of pregnant women while producing the same results. Even for the most experience yoga practitioners, prenatal yoga is the safest class to take. Your body is now carrying the weight of another life within it, balancing certain poses in a normal class will prove difficult and potentially dangerous.

You can Practice it at Home

There no need to wait for your weekly yoga class to roll around for you to practice prenatal yoga. Often, you’ll feel your body aching for the benefits of your prenatal yoga routine before your next class. If you don’t have the time to pick up another class, simply practice some of the routines we’ve done at home. Over a couple of classes you’ll realise which poses relieves body tension best for you or helps regulate your mental wellness. Take these poses and put them into a quick routine you can practice at home for instant gratification.

While signing yourself up for a yoga class may be the last you want to do, there is so much that can be accomplished in a single prenatal yoga class. Book a trial class with us today, we promise that you’ll leave the class feeling upbeat and healthier.

Yoga is an ancient practice, its origins rooted in India thousands of years in the past. Daily practice of Yoga provides one with a positive and focussed outlook on life, it further creates a permanent sense of clarity and serenity. It’s easy to think of yoga as painfully boring and traditional form of exercise. However, Yoga remains relevant till this day because of the plethora of benefits it provides in addition to the challenging workout of the mind and body. Here are a few reasons to start practicing yoga, though the list is not exhaustive.

1. It’s a great work out

Yoga is split up into different art forms. Some of them are more tranquil, focussing more on the mind while others work out the body. There’s a common a misconception that yoga is not challenging to the body. This is factually incorrect, there have been plenty of cases where Professional Athletes have joined a yoga class and professed it to be extremely difficult. Routines such as the Sun Salutation burns on average 350 calories per 25 minutes. Yoga is great way to work out your body at your own pace and time.

2. Beginner’s variations

Often people are scared to try yoga because they don’t feel they’ll be flexible enough or that great at balancing. It can be daunting being in a room full of people that can put their legs behind their head or balance on foot. At Ohm Santih, our experienced yoga instructors will always provide the class with an easier variation of a pose. Yoga is not a competitive form of exercise, the community acts as a safe-haven for you to learn. 

3. It can improve your sleep

A minor benefit, though this may be a selling factor to insomniacs, is that yoga can help you improve your sleep habits and quality. This can be informed by the fact that particular yoga sequences are intended to be done immediately before you hit the hay. Furthermore, studies have shown that light exercise before bed helps improve the quality of sleep. Another factor is that yoga often works on problem areas in the body that causes pain. The alleviation of this pain can often be the reason for improved quality of sleep.

4. Develops your mental strength

Yoga increases your mental strength, it relieves the stress and anxiety of the day through it’s sequence of breathing techniques and poses. The scheduled time of meditation often set at the start and end of the class allows one to calm a restless mind. Meditation has been shown to consistently improve the lives of practitioners, since yoga heavily revolves around this it reaps the benefits.

People have started practicing yoga for a myriad of different reasons; weight loss, depression, muscle relief and etc. It is an age-old practice that has stood the test of time. Treat yourself to a class of Yoga at Ohm Santih and indulge in the benefits that follow.

It isn’t easy to be a kid nowadays. They are constantly bombarded with supplementary classes, competitive sports, and the bustle of daily life. Without a doubt, the speed of everyday life immensely affects kids as much as it affects us, and yoga might just be the solution. Not only will it help them de-stress, but they will also reap the benefits of other sports. Here are a few reasons why you should start bringing your kids to yoga classes.

1. It alleviates stress. Children in this current age are overstimulated with the prevalence of school pressure, incessant lessons, parents’ expectations, media and communication technologies, and countless other external influences. The fact that they might not even understand what is going on further piles on to the stress they might feel. Yoga is known to help promote calmness and reduce anxiety in adults, and it is no different for kids. Well taught breathing exercises will help your child better understand how to manage the stress and anxiety they feel, be it before an exam or upon encountering an unfamiliar situation. It will train them to achieve emotional balance through training of the mind and body, and will also help them develop healthy relationships with their peers. 

2. It promotes inclusion and self-improvement. As parents, we all want our kids to be active and participative so we encourage them to play competitive sports. But it might not be the best to boost morale, especially if your child is the last one to get picked when forming teams, and not every child is keen on the idea of competing and winning. Yoga focuses on an individual’s effort to achieve goals (in this case, poses), and not to be better than the person next to you. It places priority on trying to be the best you can be and focuses on teaching the child to try his or her best, be it to be better than others or solely for the betterment of himself. 

3. Helps kids with special needs. Kids with special needs are more often than not excluded during competitive sports. Yoga, however, sets itself apart from the rest by being a form of exercise encouraged by therapists. It emphasizes importance on the emotional, spiritual and mental well-being of a child as much as the physical, which is an essential part of honing the self-esteem and self-identity of a child with special needs. 

4. Lastly, it helps nurture kids in ways many other sports do too. Just like competitive sports, yoga enhances flexibility, coordination and balance, promotes team working skills, and develop focus and concentration. Teaching kids yoga poses that require partnering up can allow them to learn how to work together in a cohesive environment. Additionally, even when pair poses are not present, kids can still partner up to render help to one another to get into poses with higher levels of difficulty.

Now that we have been though the benefits of yoga for your children, why not take some time out of their busy schedule to give it a try? Join us at our trial class and watch them grow in ways you never knew they could!

For many first-timers, they face similar struggles during their initial yoga lessons. It mainly consists of inching forward to touch their toes, stealing peeks around the room to check if they are doing it right and lastly, zoning out and wondering what in the world is a “down-ward facing dog” position. Yoga, despite being a seemingly simple exercise, requires the practitioner to execute the different poses accurately, for them to reap the benefits and more importantly, to prevent injuries resulting from an incorrect position.

Yoga itself, is not confined to one, generic form. In fact, there are various types of yoga to suit different lifestyles and preferences. Here are the details on four types of yoga.

1. Yin Yoga

Founded by Paulie Zink, Yin Yoga is a slow-paced yoga practice that mainly consists of meditating and stretching postures. It is designed to stretch out deeper layers of fascia (connective tissues around the joints) through a variety of seated postures. These postures are usually held for 3 to 5 minutes and aim to help you sit comfortably for a longer period of time. While it may not be as intense as other forms of yoga, yin yoga classes are very relaxing and are perfect for beginners or post workout.

2. Hatha Yoga

The most commonly heard of type of yoga, hatha yoga is simply a set of postures (asanas), coupled with meditation (dhyana) and breathing exercises (pranayama). It originally referred to the physical side of yoga but is now known to be slower-paced as compared to most other styles. It emphasizes still postures that open multiple channels, especially the spine, the main channel of the body, allowing energy to flow through the body freely. Hatha yoga may not be very intense but is perfect for beginners, especially if you intend to work up a sweat.

3. Ashtanga Yoga

Also known as “Eight-Limbed Yoga”, Ashtanga yoga is one of the more physically demanding forms of yoga. The main difference between Ashtanga yoga and yin or hatha, is that it involves a specific sequence of movements and poses that flows swiftly with every inhale and exhale. It is continuous and fast-paced, but can also be done at your own pace because the order of postures (asanas) are entirely predefined. It aims to purify the body by producing internal heat and is great for toning the body and getting the abs you’ve always wanted. Despite being a good form of cardio, beginners will find that Ashtanga yoga is tricky and grueling to keep up with.

4. Prenatal Yoga

As per what the name suggests, prenatal yoga is a class specially designed for mommies and mommies-to-be! Unknown to many, performing regular yoga can be very dangerous when pregnant. Postures that requires closed hip twists could be unsafe for your baby as it puts pressure on your organs and affects blood circulation. Compared to regular yoga, prenatal yoga puts less stress on your joints and pelvic area. These yoga postures also help improve sleep, strengthens the body to prevent aches, and prepares the body for labor. In fact, many postures focus on strengthening parts of the body that are especially vulnerable during pregnancy.

Join us here at Ohmsantih, where we offer classes that are suitable for both beginner and advanced yogis. We also provide prenatal yoga classes for expectant mums. Embark on your journey to a healthier you and embrace all the benefits of yoga today.

Just like spin classes, yoga is an exercise known to many. The only difference is that few take time out of their schedule to experience yoga firsthand because it is less dynamic and therefore seems less beneficial. But the fact of the matter is just the opposite.

Hailing from India, yoga is an exercise that incorporates slow movements, breathing techniques, meditation, and endurance. It forces you to leave behind all your stress and worries, encouraging you to connect the mind with the body.

Here are 3 reasons why you should pick up yoga and attempt to understand your body a little bit better.

1) Improves flexibility

One of the most obvious benefits of yoga is, of course, flexibility. Living in Singapore, most of us are deskbound more than half of the day. This will significantly mar our flexibility, and result in stiff, aching joints and poor posture. Practicing yoga regularly loosens facia (a thick connective tissue that surrounds the muscle tissue) and will ease flexible and can help prevent injuries from falls.

Yoga is also extremely beneficial for bodybuilders as it aids muscle recovery. Consistently lifting heavy weights will result in tightening of muscles and the production of muscle knots. Frequent yoga, on the other hand, prevents muscle knots from forming and will even result in improved weightlifting performance over time.

2) Improves health

Breathing techniques are the most critical part of any yoga practice, and these breathing techniques are also the best way to improve lung functions. It keeps your mind connected with your body and focuses on the effective use of oxygen through fewer breaths of greater volume.

People with digestive problems can also reap the benefits of yoga since bodily movements are known to facilitate and increase the rate of transportation of food and waste through the body. There are specific postures that are known to expel gas trapped in the intestine, and many yogis believe that the twisting postures help with digestion. Of course, practicing yoga right after a meal is not ideal. But if you feel any stomach discomfort a few hours after eating, its time to whip out your yoga mat!

3) Relieves stress

Stress is known to be the root of countless physical and mental health problems such as insomnia, high blood pressure and heart attack. When you are stressed, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode, resulting in decisions that most definitely are not the best ones you can make.

By emphasizing relaxation, slowing of the mind, and achieving inner peace, yoga aims to leave you feeling less tense than you were before you stepped into class. It encourages you to let go of the incessant loop of negative emotions and simply, breathe. With this rejuvenated body, soul and mind, you can now better face the endless hurdles of life, whatever it may be.

Now that you are better educated on the benefits of yoga, join our Ohmsantih family and be on the road to attaining inner peace and health.

As quoted by the Indian Prime Minister, “Yoga guarantees wellness as well as fitness. Yoga is not merely an exercise but a way to attain peace through physical, mental and spiritual well-being.”

Yoga is quickly becoming popular in many countries because of the deep, intricate level of benefits it provides to one. It goes beyond just obtaining physical well-being. It cultivates a sense of freedom and self through mental as well as spiritual aspects of life. With Yoga, you can feel relaxed like never before, and it is an excellent avenue for alleviating stress. On top of that, Yoga is highly adaptable and can be incorporated into all aspects of our daily lives.

If you are a newbie, fret not as Yoga is not as complicated as you think it is. There are a few basics which you can learn, as a beginner.

Calling out to all newbies and Yoga-holics, here are three outstanding ways to incorporate Yoga into your daily routine habits.

1) Get your Basics Right

Sometimes, being a newbie can be straining, nerve-racking and stressful. However, it is more critical if you embrace the excitement of learning something new, just like Yoga.

If you are not familiar with the striking poses of Yoga, try enrolling for a class, one that is suited for your body and level of confidence. Refrain from hastily enrolling into an advanced class as without a good foundation, as you may injure yourself.

At OhmSantih, we have a range of Yoga classes in Singapore that you can choose from to start on your Yoga Journey. We would recommend the Meditation and Mindfulness Yoga classes in Singapore to help you achieve a better state of mind. These classes will allow you to open the process of thinking while practising Yoga. It lets you focus on your breathing while enabling you to gain balance and control over the mind, emitting calmness throughout the body.

2) Get In Touch with Yourself

Yoga is the perfect way to get in tune with your body and know how it works by heart. It is an effective way of monitoring your body as you get to pay attention to your physical self. With the range of poses available, a practitioner can stretch to his or her limit without going further. The healthiest people are the ones who feel the most in touch with themselves.

While doing the yoga poses, feel your body and its stretch. Focus on what hurts and what feels good. It will leave you feeling less anxious and create a more calming experience for yourself. Furthermore, as you continue feeling the sensations of your body, you will feel more confident of yourself.

It is also wise to surround yourself with other Yoga practitioners to keep the yoga spirits up. Our Yoga classes in Singapore can allow you to mingle with other practitioners with the same mindset. As they all say, “great minds, think alike”.

3) Schedule Your Yoga Flow

As busy individuals, it may be a little challenging to commit to 90-minute Yoga practice. The only way is to break up your flow and create a schedule for different parts of the day. It can consist of a few rounds of Kapalabhati, when you wake up, and throw in some spinal extensions, stretching as well as flexions. Kapalabhati is a breathing technique where forced exhalation is combined with passive inhalation.

After a long day, you can also include a short meditation right before bed, and you will rise feeling more refreshed!

If you would like to work on your inner self and discover the essence of your well-being, join our Yoga classes in Singapore at OhmSantih today.