Class #1: Is Yin Yoga for you?

We're currently taking classes at Moksha Richmond Hill (7PM ones) and Yin Yoga is the first one we've attended. We were warned when we signed up for the class that this form of yoga was very different than the "hot yoga" we were normally more accustomed to. Boy, was she right.

Just a cool fact, if you're a first-timer, they make you sign a waiver and write on a sheet with a plastic page protector. So cool! They simply wipe off all your details after keying it into their system - (the treehugger in me)

In case you're wondering about the facility:

a. The studio isn't that big (maybe fits 20-25 ppl?)

b. The studio is clean (no sweat puddles, no odour)

c. Changeroom is clean - 2 showers (need to confirm)

d. They burn incense at the front desk (reminds me of my grandmother's house)

First thing first, if you're a 1. pretty/"OK" flexible person 2. looking to sweat 3. seeking for an authentic hot yoga challenge, I'd suggest for you to skip Yin Yoga altogether. It's really just a 75 min class consisted of "warm-up/stretching" exercises. Ya, that's a lot of stretching...considering there were only about 7-8 poses.

So here's a quick overview of what went down:

1. Room wasn't heated. Their website claimed that it'd be heated, but it wasn't. I did not even break one sweat

2. There's only one standing pose (the most challenging one out of all, in relative terms), everything else was done sitting or lying down

3. You are encouraged to use "props" to help you maintain and secure some of the poses. So we were given bolsters and bricks and were allowed to place them behind our legs or back for support

4. The poses are meant to help you lengthen and shape tissues, ligaments, and tendons. So if you're looking strengthen or work your muscles: wrong class

5. As you're doing the poses, the instructor talks in between with a calm, soothing voice, and guides you through the different "principles" of Yin Yoga. Unfortunately, I can't remember any of them because...(read #6)

6. You will fall asleep in some of the poses. A lot of the poses I was able to rest my head on the ground or on my hands (beware for yoga-mat-marks on forehead), and since you do stay in each pose for about 7-10 mins with your eyes closed, falling asleep is inevitable

7. Never be on-time for class, they will not let you in even if the class starts at 7PM. Tori can attest to this, as she missed our very first class =/ Go 15-20 mins early as the room really isn't that big and ppl pre-place their mats on the floor to reserve their spots

And that's it!

As you can tell, Yin Yoga probably wasn't for me, however, it does depend on what your personal intention for practicing Yoga is. I come from a background of being used to high-intensity cardio workouts and having done Bikram (the one on Bloor) twice, I crave for sweat rolling down my brows and burning my eyes (have YOU tried Taebo Advanced?). So sweating is a personal criterion of mine with any type of exercise.

But all in all, I'm determined to try all the other types of "hot yoga" Moksha has to offer and having said that, until next time!