WELCOME TO TEJAS YOGA ONLINE &

TO THE PRACTICE OF YOGA

COMPLETELY NEW TO YOGA?

Check out our Live Introduction to Yoga Course in May!

This course will be live and meet on Sundays from 11am-12:30pm on May 3, 10, 17*, and 24.

(* May 17 class will be at 4pm. All other live Intro classes will be at 11am)

Though nothing can replace in-person instruction as a new student to yoga, Tejas does offer classes and tutorials accessible for those who need an introduction to the physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation.

What you’ll find on Tejas Online for those new to yoga:

Tutorials that offer guidance on more complicated postures as well as breathing and meditation techniques

Gentle Classes which offer an easy-to-follow-along approach

Foundational Classes which include in-depth instruction and guidance in prop usage

Meditation and Pranayama (Breathing Exercise) classes

Check out our regularly-scheduled live classes here.

HERE ARE FEW GUIDELINES TO PRACTICING WITH US AT HOME.

Online preregistration for live classes is not required. Simply login to your Tejas Online Account here. You will find any upcoming live classes posted in the featured section of the website and app. All archived classes are set up in categories for you to peruse and practice at your convenience.

Don’t have an account? Register here for a monthly or yearly subscription for less than a venti 7-pump vanilla soy mocha latte per week.

Helpful Suggestions for Practicing at Home:

Create as sensible of an environment as possible; reasonable temperature, enough floor space to lay down on your back with legs straight and your arms above your head, with as much privacy as you can find.
Limit external distractions; turn off any other hand held devices, silence notifications on device in use.

FAQ

DO I NEED YOGA PROPS?

Yoga props such as a mat, blocks, straps, bolsters, and blankets can be helpful, but not absolutely necessary to begin your yoga journey. Oftentimes simple household items can be a substitute. A thick blanket, pillow, a sturdy chair, and a short stack of books may be handy to have close by. We understand not everyone will have props at home and give suggestions and modifications along the way.

If you would like to invest in yoga props, a good place to start would be 2 cork yoga blocks. These tend to be most durable, versatile, and easy to manage. Believe it or not, a yoga mat is optional if you have a hard-surfaced floor. We suggest you have a thick blanket for certain postures however.

WHAT DO I WEAR?

Yoga is typically practiced in bare feet, but you may wear socks if you choose. Keep in mind that wearing socks may make some of the postures more difficult as you may slip on the yoga mat or floor.

Wear comfortable, but fitted clothes. Like something you would wear to go work out in or go for a walk. You don’t want to wear clothes that you’ll need to keep pulling up while you’re moving dynamically or pulling down when you’re in a forward fold. You do not have to go out and buy a bunch of clothes to practice yoga.

WHAT IF I HAVE HAD SURGERY, PAST INJURY, OR HEALTH CONCERNS?

If you have been recently injured or are being treated for a health condition, you should get the approval of your primary care physician or physical therapist before approaching the practice of yoga.

Yoga can be an invaluable asset to your daily routine. It can address health concerns and assist in rehabilitation. However, keep in mind that there are contraindications for certain postures and practices. If you would like to discuss any concerns you have, please email us at info@tejasyogachicago.com. Jim or James may be able to give you some general suggestions and appropriate modifications.

In general:

If it hurts, don’t do it.
Let go of what you think you should be able to do or what you used to be able to do and focus on what you can do today.
Honor your limitations.
Be open to the potential of growth in all possible ways.
Respect the signals your body is giving you.
Deepen your listening skills in regard to those signals.
Enjoy the exploration.

WHAT IF I’M PREGNANT?

Usually beginning a new physical exercise after becoming pregnant is not recommended. If you are healthy and have had a regular exercise routine before you were pregnant, ask your doctor if beginning a yoga practice is right for you.

Currently we do not offer prenatal yoga classes. Modifications and lessons in contraindications, however, will allow you to practice in any of our Gentle Classes.

WHAT CLASS SHOULD I TAKE?

If you’ve never practiced yoga before, your best option is to attend any of the Gentle or Basics classes we offer. The Basics Classes have more in-depth instruction. The Gentle Classes are basic enough for a beginner student and move at a pace where you’ll be able to follow along more readily. From time to time, we will offer a weekly Introduction to Yoga Course you can attend live. Keep an eye on our monthly schedule.

If you’re a more seasoned practitioner, the site is open to exploring the full range of classes. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, let us know.

WILL I SWEAT?

That’s up to you and the class you take. We like to say: Go into class expecting to sweat a little and breathe a lot. If you tend to sweat during exercise generally, you may want to have a small hand towel near by.