Welcome New Students!
If you're new to yoga with me, this page will answer many of your questions.
Best Practices
- For the best experience, practice on an empty stomach, colon, and bladder. Avoid solid foods 2-3 hours prior and liquids one hour before class. While you can still practice if you've eaten or had something to drink, over time, you'll notice better results when you're empty.
- Modify poses as needed if you have injuries, traumas, are pregnant, or have any pain or limitations.
- Wear comfortable, fitted workout or yoga attire that allows full range of motion in your hips and shoulders. Avoid overly baggy clothing.
- Remove excessive jewelry and tie long hair back.
- Socks are fine, but practicing barefoot is recommended for optimal results.
Suggested Props
Here are some recommended props with links to purchase:
Here are some recommended props with links to purchase:
Guidelines
- Don't push beyond discomfort. Discomfort leads to awareness, but pain can lead to injury. In my classes, we honor the saying, "no pain, no pain" rather than "no pain, no gain." Over time, you'll see more gain with less pain.
- Stay for the deep relaxation at the end of class. It will exponentially increase the benefits of your practice.
- Remember, the days you least feel like coming to class are the days you need it the most. In all my years of practicing yoga, I have never regretted taking a class—even when it wasn’t my best.
Benefits of Yoga with Ricky
You don’t need to change your habits to start practicing yoga with me. However, over time, you might find that you want to change them—not because of deprivation, but because you’ll realize they no longer serve you. You’ll see when the time is right.
- Increased flexibility, strength, endurance, and balance
- Reduced stress, tension, anxiety, depression, anger, frustration, and other negative emotions
- Improved sleep, concentration, and meditation
- Enhanced ability to respond rather than react, both on and off the mat
- Increased awareness, presence, and acceptance of yourself and others
- Strengthened relationships and release of toxic connections
- Greater peace of mind, with the ability to accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change what you can, and the wisdom to know the difference
You don’t need to change your habits to start practicing yoga with me. However, over time, you might find that you want to change them—not because of deprivation, but because you’ll realize they no longer serve you. You’ll see when the time is right.
A letter from a student circa 2012
