Get Ready for Class
How to prepare for the class mentally and physically to make the most out of our time together…
What do I bring?
So you’re ready to get flexy with Vera, but what do you even need for a flexibility class?
- Enough space to expand and extend.
- A mat of your choice.
- Layers to strip away or put on throughout the class. Warm muscles are best (and safest) for stretching!
- Plenty of water! Staying hydrated means more flexibility gains and less muscle soreness the next day.
Optional:
- Props aren’t necessary for class, but they can help you access a wider range of motion. Feel free to bring one, none, or all, depending on your unique needs!
- A couple of yoga blocks (or some thick books).
- A strap (or a towel or belt).
- A pillow or two for sore hips or knees.
Things to Keep in Mind
- I will always respect your pronouns, and I ask that you please respect mine (She/They). I like to keep my pronouns next to my zoom name as a little reminder. I encourage you to do the same, if you’re comfortable doing so!
- If weight loss is one of your goals, that’s OK. However, it’s not a goal I’m comfortable helping you with. I kindly ask that you please refrain from talking about weight-loss or dieting during class, as it can be triggering for myself and your fellow classmates. This is a body-neutral space, so we want to focus on how our bodies feel, not how they look.
FAQs
Do you offer sliding scale options?
Sliding scale pricing is available, in select cases, for Black and Indigenous people of colour, trans folks, and folks with low incomes. Shoot me an email if you’re interested in this option or are able to pay it forward for another student.
How is this different than yoga?
Yoga is rooted in Hinduism and is a spiritual discipline that focuses on combining the mind and body as one. Flexibility training is purposefully stretching and strengthening muscles so the surrounding joints can efficiently move through a full ROM (range of motion).
In yoga, you don’t create the same goals as you would for flexibility training, yoga asks you to cultivate discernment, awareness, and self-regulation through the harmony of body and mind. As a way to promote yoga to the Western audience, you often see folks on Instagram promoting their yoga classes with a photo in an ultra-flexible pose, which can be misleading for many, especially since genetics does play a factor in our flexibility. While you get the benefits of stretching and flexibility in yoga, it’s not the sole purpose of doing yoga.
My flexibility classes do have solid roots in yoga, as we often go through similar poses and I want to acknowledge this. That being said, we find these poses in different ways to find different outcomes. Neither is better than the other and often the two work in parallel.
I’m not sure if I’m physically able to do this class?
My classes are all-levels, so I will always try to offer variations when available. We also love to use props, so you can use the assistance of things like a strap, chair, wall, block, or more! I always like to suggest Flex Express, Flexy Fatties or Full-On Flex for anyone new.
If you’re still not sure, here are some things to consider before signing up:
- How are you in terms of getting up and down off the ground?
- Would you be OK to put pressure on your wrists and knees?
- Are you cleared by a medical professional to do physical activity?
You can always give me a heads up at the start of class or by email if you have any injuries or chronic pain that may stop you from doing certain movements. That way, I can properly tailor the class for you, and everyone else.
Still have questions? Hop on a free discovery call with me, or book a private and we can work together one-on-one.