Our Story

HelloAnn and Yoga

We know that yoga rejuvenates our bodies and calms our minds, and one of the ways we practice giving without expectation is by sharing our love for yoga.

THE GIFT OF YOGA IN OUR STORES 

Every week, our stores and showrooms push their products aside, unroll yoga mats and turn their spaces into instant yoga studios. Classes are complimentary and lead by instructors from local studios in your community. Find your local store info  HERE.

WHAT IS YOGA? 

The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root “yuj,” which means “to yoke” the spirit and physical body together. Yoga has evolved over thousands of years to embrace a wide range of styles and disciplines and it’s a popular activity for athletes, children, and seniors. Yoga can be modified to suit all levels of fitness. Yoga has been proven to lower blood pressure and increases strength and flexibility. Yoga energizes our bodies and calms our minds. 

Remember, your body is your best guide. You don’t have to stick to one kind of yoga, just do what your body needs! 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF YOGA? 

PREVENT INJURIES 

Spending hours working out and training can cause overuse injuries of the knees, backs, quads and hamstrings. We love yoga for its stretching and strengthening properties. 

STRENGTHEN YOUR CORE 

Yoga’s focus on flexibility, finding the edge and staying balanced builds full-body strength. A strong core “holds it all together” and provides the power to push through personal limits. 

CONNECT TO YOUR BREATH 

Yoga teaches an inward focus of the mind (and through this, deep awareness of the present moment) by bringing awareness to our breath. When we are able to clear our minds of distraction, we can really fill our lungs and sprint. 

CLARIFY YOUR VISION 

Studies have shown that the power of visualization really works. Building relaxation and mental clarity by practicing yoga is a powerful tool to harness that focus and visualize success (like a double fist pump when we cross the finish line first.) 

WHAT TO WEAR TO YOGA 

Proper alignment of yoga postures is important for many types of yoga. Choose clothes that are not too baggy and that help you and your yoga instructor make sure you’re not doing anything harmful to your body.  

In more physical types of yoga and especially in hot classes, expect to sweat. Wear clothes that dry quickly, wick sweat away, and will keep you as comfortable as possible to get the most out of your yoga class. Fabrics with stretch will help you feel most comfortable as you move from pose to pose.  

YOGA GUIDE 

AERIAL 

It’s easy to free your mind when a hammock is gently cradling you and gravity does the work of deepening your stretch. The compression-free inversions can be terrifying at first until you realize that the hammock has your back. Aerial yoga is all about trust and the blissful sensation that you’re floating. 

ANUSARA 

Expect a playful class with a strong focus on proper alignment and Tantric yoga philosophy (not what you’re thinking). It, like most yoga, is derived from Hatha yoga. 

ASHTANGA 

This practice is very athletic and made up of six vigorous series of postures. It’s one of the oldest forms of yoga and is considered to be the foundation of much of the yoga we see today in the west. 

BIKRAM 

You’re going to sweat in a Bikram’s class more than you ever thought was possible. Bikram yoga consists of 26 postures and breathing exercises repeated twice (that’s right, 90 minutes) in a room heated to 105 degrees. Heads up—humidity is 40% and will knock you over the first time. 

HATHA 

The foundation of every style of yoga mentioned here. Traditional Hatha yoga is a holistic path that includes disciplines, physical postures (asana), purification procedures, breathing (pranayama) and meditation. Hatha practiced in the west consists of mostly physical postures and is also recognized as a gentle introductory yoga for people new to yoga.