Frequently Asked Questions

We mean it when we say that all of our classes are appropriate for all levels! At your first class, please let the teacher know that you are new. No matter your level of experience, we encourage you to pace yourself and to listen to, and trust, your body. If it feels bad, stop. In time you’ll build strength, focus, stamina and flexibility. 

We encourage you to sign up online to let us know you are coming. If you don’t get a chance to, no worries, just arrive 10-15 minutes early to sign in and get the lay of the land.

Yes. All classes are heated to 90 degrees, except Slow Your Flow which is heated to 70-80 degrees.

Our state-of-the-art infrared heaters emit clean heat (not from the HVAC system), which helps our teachers control the humidity throughout class.

The 3 main reasons for the heat are to: soften muscle tissue, detox, and invite you to step out of your comfort zone.

Then you are definitely in the right place! Yoga is not about putting your foot behind your head or holding a position the longest… in fact, we encourage you to leave competition and ego behind, and learn to listen to your body. Classes at GPY are fun and focus on peeling back resistances, one layer at a time, to encourage transformation and growth. We'll encourage you to find your own natural wisdom, rather than fighting it…and the best way to become more flexible and focused is to start today!

The general rule is that it is best to avoid heavy meals for at least two hours before class. Some people prefer a completely empty stomach, and others prefer a light snack, such as fruit or a granola bar an hour before practice. If you are attending a HOT class, please avoid heavy meals and drink plenty of water.

That is up to you. You always control the intensity of your practice and we encourage you to work at your own pace in every class. You’ll find that some days your practice will seem easy and some days it will kick your… asana! Just go with the flow and step to your edge.

As often as you can…. Consistency is the key to experiencing the full benefits of the yoga practice… and to making new yoga friends! Whether you practice at home or in the studio, a daily practice, even a 20-minute daily practice, is a good and lofty goal. But start small— just come to class!

Our classes offer the combination of strength and cardiovascular exercise, and the heat also helps to raise the core body temperature to a level that helps regulate metabolism and energy levels. Additionally, studies have shown that yoga’s stress-busting benefits help you stay committed to good nutrition and fitness habits.

First, ALWAYS ask your doctor before engaging in any form of exercise while pregnant. If you have an existing yoga practice, specifically heated, chances are you will be OK to continue practicing and reap the benefits of helping strengthen your body and mind for labor, as well as ease nausea, back pain and swelling. That said, heated yoga can be challenging for anyone and may not be accessible while pregnant. Speak with your doctor first and if you are cleared to practice, we would be glad to offer pregnancy safe modifications.

At the end of each class, our teachers offer the ancient Sanskrit word “namaste” as a symbol of gratitude, respect and connection. Students answer with “namaste” in the same spirit. This exchange allows us all to come together energetically to a place of connection and timelessness. A short translation is: “The Light in me sees the Light in you, and all I can do is bow.”

At the beginning of each class, our teachers lead a round of “Om” as a symbol of connecting us to ourselves, our practice and to each other. Om or aum (pronounced ah-uu-mm) is a sacred sound considered by many ancient philosophical texts to be the sound of the universe, encompassing all other sounds within it. In Sanskrit, om is called Pranava, which means to hum, and is considered an unlimited or eternal sound.