If you haven’t experienced your first yoga class, now is the time to get started! Ashtanga vinyasa yoga can introduce a new world of sensation—perhaps working muscles you never knew you had or allowing thoughts and emotions to surface in an altogether different way. Through combining breath with movement, you will learn to coordinate the internal with the external. The practice may seem predominantly physical at first, but over time students begin to enjoy a more spiritual practice as the mind stills and the body transforms.

For those new to yoga, several options are available as a starting point. Some students find that private lessons provide a solid foundation, using one-on-one guidance to learn the practice safely and effectively. From here, students proceed to take group classes with a firm understanding of the Ashtanga vinyasa tradition under their belts. For those who prefer to learn in a group setting, there are a variety of classes available. In Toronto, studios such as Downward Dog and Stratusphere Yoga offer “Intro to Yoga” programs, as well as beginner classes available on a drop-in basis. In Muskoka, Cecily’s “Yoga Fundamentals” and “Restorative Flow” classes are a great way to establish a foundation for your practice.