What are printable companion pose guides?
Printable companion pose guides are .PDF files showing clear pictures and names for the sequence of poses in a particular class. Each pose guide is named after the class it goes with. Pose guides can be saved to your computer and easily printed for use as a visual reference.
How do I get the pose guides?
A download link for a your printable companion pose guide, along with the download link for the corresponding class, will be made available in the 'download links' section of your account after you complete your purchase. For those with subscription memberships you will be able to access all printable companion pose guides directly from the class description page.
What is the best way to use the pose guides?
We recommend that you create a separate folder on your computer so can store all of your printable companion pose guides in one place. Once saved to your computer, we recommend that you look over the printable companion pose guide before performing your class. If you find there are poses with which you are unfamiliar, we suggest looking them up in our 'Pose Guide' section and performing the pose to become familiar with it before starting your class. This will ensure you can flow smoothly and easily through your Yoga Download class.
Collect them all! A great idea is to print out your pose guides, laminate them and collect them. It helps if you put the pages back to back before laminating so that you have a page showing on each side. Laminating is very inexpensive, usually around 30 - 50 cents per page (so if you put the pages back to back it is per every two pages). You can find laminating services at places such as print/copy shops and office supply stores, to mention a few. Start your library of laminated printable companion pose guides today!
Yoga FAQs
What is yoga?
The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj which means to bind, join or yoke. It has been described as: the disciplining of the intellect, the mind, the emotions and the will, also as: when the senses are stilled, when the mind is at rest, when the intellect wavers not. Yoga is often translated to literally mean union. In hatha yoga (the physical practice of yoga) we seek the union of the sun(ha) and the moon (tha) which symbolizes the balancing of feminine and masculine, the left and right sides of the brain, and the balancing of the nadis (energy meridians). Once we are in balance, we are able to move about trough life in harmony, and meet challenges with grace and awareness. We gain the ability to remain centered and calm in the midst of turmoil, which allows us to make choices that serve our highest good.
Classical yoga is an ancient practice created over 5000 years ago in India. In classical yoga there are Eight Limbs of practice. In the West the limb of yoga practiced most is asana, which are the physical yoga postures. However, the rich tradition of yoga offers us six other limbs (niyamas, yamas, pranayama, pratyahara, dhyana, dhyana) that all lead to the eighth limb and ultimate aim: samadhi, or the ecstatic or uniting state in which the one meditating becomes one with the object of meditation. Incorporating these other limbs into your asana practice will both deepen your experience of yoga and transform your practice as well as your life.
This is a very limited and brief description of yoga. We encourage you to learn more about yoga and about all Eight Limbs of yoga!
Do I need to be flexible to do yoga?
No. The only thing that needs to be flexible is your mind. One of the goals of yoga practice is to increase one's flexibility, therefore you do not need to be flexible as a prerequisite to doing yoga. Yoga poses are designed to expose blocks and imbalances in the body. After just a little bit of yoga much of the tension in your muscles will release and your range of motion will naturally increase.
Should I add cardio to my practice?
The online yoga classes provided by Yoga Download are enough to achieve and maintain complete physical heath. However, some people like to include additional cardiovascular exercise which is why we offer the Yoga Download “Running Coach” classes. Be sure to incorporate plenty of yoga and stretching into your cardio routine as it will cause tightness in certain areas such as the legs and hips, which is what yoga aims to get rid of.
Downloading FAQs
What is the minimum connection speed I need to download my classes?
We recommend that you use DSL or Broadband connections with the Yoga Download site. Dial-up connections may be used, but downloading will take much longer. We do not recommend using a dial-up connection slower than 56k. Yoga Download files are designed to be an optimum size for fast downloads without sacrificing quality.
How long does it take to download my class?
There are two main variables that will affect your download time. The first is internet connection speed and the second is file size. To find out the file size simply look at the class length. The way it works out is that the classes' length is just about equal to it's file size in MB. So, for example our full length 60 minute classes are about 60 MB, our 45 minute classes are 45 MB, 30 minute classes are 30 MB, and so on. In general, fast connections and shorter classes result in faster downloads. Slow connections and longer classes will result in slower downloads.
Where can I find the download link for my class?
At the end of your purchase your will be provided a link to access the control panel in your account. From the control panel you can access all of your download links as well as update your personal information. Download links are active for 2 weeks from the date of the original purchase. Then you simply click on the download links for the class file and pose guide (where applicable) next to the class name, and the downloading process will begin. Depending on your browser you may have to indicate where you would like to save your Yoga Download class. We recommend creating a separate folder so you can store all of your classes in one place.
Can I download my class more than once?
Yes, you can download your classes as many times as you need to for two weeks after your purchase. You can access all of your download links by going to 'My Account' and signing in to your account using your user name and password.
MP3s FAQs
What is an MP3?
MP3 is simply an advanced type of audio compression which reduces a file size to about one-tenth the size of a WAV file, the format found on normal music CDs, with little reduction in audio quality. This is done by removing the extreme high and low frequencies undetectable by human ears. This compression makes audio files small and practical enough to send over the Internet and store in large quantities on small devices, such as an mp3 player (an iPod for example).
MP3 also refers to the type of audio file that is created by the format, as well as the format itself. You can recognize mp3 files by their file-extension (the end of the filename), which is .mp3.
Why are MP3s so Popular?
The popularity of mp3s comes from their practical uses. Music tracks in WAV format, the format found on normal music CDs, are extremely large in file size. Since they are so large, it is not practical to offer WAV files for download over the Internet. MP3, however, compresses WAV audio on an average of 10 to 12 times smaller than their original size. The result is audio tracks that are perfect for downloading and sending through the Internet. MP3 format is also popular for allowing one to load hundreds of audio files into a portable jukebox or mp3 player and taking your collection with you wherever you go.
How can I play my Yoga Download MP3?
There are 3 ways to play your Yoga Download mp3:
1. Put your Yoga Download mp3 on your portable mp3 player (such as an iPod)
2. Play your Yoga Download mp3 on your computer using an mp3 player installed on your computer
3. Burn your Yoga Download mp3 to a CD and play it on a CD player
Note: there is a step-by-step process for each of these options outlined on the help page
