Q: Do I need to sign up for class ahead of time?

A:  Not necessary!  We warmly welcome drop-ins and love it when visitors to Lincoln City join us to practice. Payment can be made when you arrive for class, and the room is usually open about 15 minutes before class begins. You are welcome to reserve your spot by registering online ahead of time, but we have not yet had to turn anyone away due to lack of space. (If this becomes an issue in the future, we'll let you know!) 

Q: Where (exactly) are you located?

A:  The New Moon Yoga studio is located inside the Lincoln City Cultural Center, and is clearly marked with a large sign. If you enter through the East (rear) doors, which are the most convenient from the parking lot, head left and you will see the studio right away.

Q: Which classes are best for beginners?

A:  No prior yoga experience is necessary to attend any of our classes, so beginners should feel encouraged to try any class!  Another question might be: "What level of physical exertion are you looking for?" Since we offer classes all along this spectrum, from the very gentle to the rather strenuous, we have tried to help answer this question by adding notations of "gentle/

moderate/vigorous" beside each class on the schedule.

Q: What if I forget my mat?

We have plenty of mats (and blocks, bolsters, blankets, etc.) that you are free to use when here for class. We do ask that you wipe down borrowed mats with the spray and towels provided after class.

Ashtanga yoga: Ashtanga (meaning "eight-limbed") is a structured style of vinyasa yoga, founded by Sri K Pattabhi Jois.  The emphasis is on pranayama (or breath regulation),and movement with breath. Ashtanga yoga prescribes specific sequences, taking about an hour and a half to complete, to be done 5-6 days per week.  (Note:  in our ashtanga-based classes, we do not perform these sequences as such, but may incorporate elements from them, and practitioners of Ashtanga Yoga will recognize the style.)

Asana: The Sanskrit word for “posture,” or "pose." You will notice that the Sanskrit names for yoga postures typically end in the suffix -asana.  Examples:  Uttanasana (forward bend), Dandasana (staff pose), Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward-facing dog), etc.

Drishti: Focused gaze, or the practice of looking at a fixed point during yogic practice. Each yoga posture has a prescribed place to focus the eyes, as the position of the eyes during yoga is as important as the position of every other part of the body.

Hatha yoga: The term "Hatha" (which literally means "sun and moon") is used in a general way to describe yoga involving longer-held postures and a good deal of focus on body alignment. Typically, classes labeled "Hatha" are slower-paced than Vinyasa yoga classes.

Iyengar yoga: Named for BKS Iyengar, a student of Krishnamacharya and contemporary of Sri K Pattabhi Jois (founder of Ashtanga Yoga), Iyengar yoga focuses on physical alignment through precise body alignment and the use of props. Teachers of Iyengar yoga might also use the more generic term "Hatha yoga" to describe the format of their classes.

Namaste:  From the Sanskrit "namas," or "salute."  This may be used at the beginning or conclusion of a yoga class.  It is a salutation that indicates recognition of the connection between the saluter and the one being saluted, as in "I see you and you see me," or "The light in me recognizes the light in you."
Om (or aum): More a sound than a word, "Om" represents the vibration of the universe, of being at one with all. It is the sonic representation of the divine (whatever that means to you), the supreme absolute, of consciousness.  Chanting "Om" is commonly done as its own meditation, or before and after recitation of a prayer or wish.

Pranayama: The practice of regulating breath.  All yoga classes utilize some form of pranayama, such as the dirgha breath (3-part breath: starting from the belly, moving up to the ribs, to the top of the lungs where the collarbones are, and back down again).  Vinyasa yoga typically includes ujayii pranayama, translated as "victorious breath," known as sounding breath (friction is created in the back palette to create sound and warmth).  There are many other pranayama techniques, and some may be incorporated in our yoga classes for various purposes.

Restorative yoga: A type of yoga that focuses on deep relaxation through long-held (around 5 minutes each) poses fully supported by props such as bolsters, blankets, blocks and/or straps.

Sanskrit: An ancient language from India.  Never really a conversational language, Sanskrit was originally a spoken "link language" used by speakers of various languages in South Asia to gather and discuss philosophical concepts (such as how to attain enlightenment.) Thus, Sanskrit is the language of yoga.

Savasana: Translated as "corpse pose," this is the posture of deep relaxation that finishes every yoga session.  There is no focus, no breath control, no thought.

Surya Namaskar/ Sun Salutations: a sequence of poses done with the breath, specifically intended to warm the body.  Sun Salutes are typically done at the beginning of a vinyasa yoga practice, before postures that involve deeper muscle stretch.

Vinyasa: translated as "movement with breath."  This term is used in a general way to refer to yoga classes that link postures together in a fluid manner.  This does not always indicate a quick pace, but vinyasa classes do tend to move more quickly than Hatha classes.
Yoga: The practice of specific physical poses, breathing techniques, meditation practices, and study of self and philosophy to bring body, mind and spirit together for holistic health.

Yoga nidra: Yogic sleep, a practice that uses deep guided meditation to relax and rejuvenate the body. This practice invokes a state between waking and sleep, wherein the practitioner is still conscious of what is happening around them.

Yin yoga: A slow-paced style of yoga meant to be practiced without warm-up. Postures are held for longer periods of time to enable deep stretching and relaxation, including deep stretching of fascia (ligaments, tendons, etc.)  Yin yoga incorporates some aspects of Chinese medicine.