| There are many ceremonial aspects, within a Hatha | | | | minutes or more because the median age in the class |
| Yoga class, which make up the entire class. These are | | | | is 70 years of age. |
| necessary components such as: The greeting, bringing | | | | In relation to this, and for safety's sake, warm-ups, |
| your presence into the room, rooting, mantra, mudra, | | | | before personal Yoga practice, exercise, or any sport, |
| Pranayama, warm- ups, Surya Namaskar (Sun | | | | tend to be longer as we age. Morning warm-ups |
| Salutations), Asana, relaxation techniques, meditation, | | | | should be longer than evening, if we are on a "regular |
| and the closing ceremony (which may end with a | | | | day time schedule" (rising in the morning and sleeping |
| reading, Udgeeth Pranayama, Japa, Namaste, Thank | | | | at night). |
| You, a combination of these, or something else). | | | | Muscles tend to contract as we sleep, so we should |
| The value of warm-ups, before Asana (Yoga posture) | | | | be careful not to strain them in the morning. The |
| practice, cannot be understated in Yoga, and in life. | | | | muscles also tend to tense up in the winter, therefore, |
| Warm-ups reduce the chance of injury to the | | | | the time of year and the region where you live can be |
| practitioner. The time spent doing warm-ups can vary | | | | a factor. |
| due to the purpose. | | | | Finally, the purpose of the warm-up may also differ. |
| The age of the students, the time of day, the outside | | | | Older students, who practice in Vinyasa or Power |
| temperature, and the purpose of the warm-up, can be | | | | Yoga classes, should warm up, a little more, than |
| factors, which determine the time frame. When I teach | | | | younger students. Older students should be aware of |
| a Chair Yoga class, the warm-ups may take 30 | | | | pre-existing injuries and take care of them. |