FAQ

It’s understandable you might feel nervous about trying something new, or attending a class with a new group of people and teacher. For sure, the first time you walk in the door will be the hardest.

Jo understands this and will welcome you, familiarise you with the space and help you get set up on your mat before class starts.

She’ll keep a friendly eye out for you throughout the class, and make sure you’re never left behind because you don’t know the pose name, need something different, or because yoga is 100% new to you.

Rather than creating competition, Jo and other attendees embrace compassion, kindness and offer gentle encouragement and support - before, during and after class. It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of.

Bookings are not necessary, however, if it is your first visit to any Jo Moloney Yoga class, please get in touch prior, to confirm class is on as usual, then arrive 10 minutes ahead of class start time, so you can meet Jo and complete a health questionnaire.

Regular classes are 1 hour long. Jo aims to start and finish classes on time. If you arrive late, don’t panic! Please come in and find your space as quietly as you can.

You don’t need any special (or expensive) clothes to practise yoga. Choose clothing that you can move and stretch in, and which offers a level of modesty that you are comfortable with. Jo prefers slightly fitted tops, so they don’t end up around her ears in Downward Facing Dog! 😉 Yoga is usually practised barefoot.

Beginners are welcome at all of Jo’s classes: Monday morning Beginners, Thursday morning Beginners Plus and Flow on Wednesday evenings - details are on the Regular Classes page.

In her years of teaching, Jo’s introduced many, many beginners to yoga and kept them coming back!

Jo caters for different levels of experience within classes and can suggest modifications for anyone, as required, as class progresses through different asanas (poses). You’ll never be left behind in one of Jo’s classes.

If you start where you are – taking the best options for you in the class – and are kind to yourself in the process of learning, you’ll be fine.

Bring a yoga mat and any props you might like to support your practice (eg towel, blanket, bolster), and it’s a good idea to bring a water bottle, especially in warmer weather. In cooler weather, wear layers and/or bring a wrap or jacket to put on as the class starts to wind down or for after class.

If you don’t have a yoga mat, Jo will happily lend you one whilst you decide whether yoga is for you.

It’s best not to eat a large meal within 2 hours of the start of class. Even some gentle yoga poses give our organs a really good massage, which may not feel great on a full stomach! If you feel hungry before class, Jo suggests eating a banana or half a tub of yoghurt to keep hunger at bay until after a class.

That depends…
Many people discover yoga for the first time after they become pregnant, enjoying the benefits for their body, mind and their baby. You may be able to attend a yoga class whilst pregnant after considering the following and giving Jo a call on 0403 901 449 to discuss:

Do you (or family members) have a history of miscarriage? If the answer is ‘yes’, it’s best to wait until you enter your second trimester and joining a specialised prenatal yoga class may be best.

Were you practising yoga before your pregnancy? If the answer is ‘yes’ and you feel well you should be able to attend a class but please let Jo know beforehand so that she can advise appropriate variations for your practice. If you were not practising prior to falling pregnant, it is best to wait until you enter your second trimester before starting yoga and attend a specialised prenatal yoga class.

If you are unsure whether yoga is right for you during pregnancy, consult your GP or other healthcare professional before attending a class.

Yes. Just as asana (poses) can be varied to suit beginners through to intermediate or advanced practitioners, they can also be modified to accommodate (and not aggravate) different physical capabilities, injuries and health conditions.

For example, if kneeling is not suitable for you, Jo can guide you into a sitting or standing variation of a pose.

The Pre-Yoga health questionnaire that you complete on your first visit will alert Jo to any injury or condition that needs consideration within your practice. Jo is happy to discuss any concerns you may have before you come to a class, please get in touch.

NOTE: If you have a major health issue, serious injury or mobility limitation, please consult your GP or other healthcare professional in the first instance before attending a class, then give Jo a call to discuss so she can ensure your practice is appropriate and nurturing.

Jo mainly teaches Flow style: sequences of asanas linking movement with breath to assist the transition from one pose to the next. Wednesday night Flow is more dynamic than Beginners and Beginners Plus classes, however the intensity is easily adapted and within your control. Beginner and Beginner Plus classes are usually taught as Slow Flow/Hatha.

However, since Jo has been teaching for many years, and teaches many different styles of yoga, sometimes you may find yourself in a Yin or Restorative pose, as part of ‘Jo’s special blend’ of yoga!

Jo changes her class program weekly, designing classes around themes and with consideration for the seasons (practising more cooling asana (postures) and pranayama (breath exercise) during warmer weather with a greater focus on building warmth during cooler months), those present and other influences such as world and special events.

Class always begins gently with time spent settling in and setting your intention (if you choose), followed by a warm up sequence, before moving through a variety of sequences eg supine, seated, and standing flows; Lunge or Sun Salutations; balance postures; and perhaps an inversion. All classes conclude with time spent in relaxation, allowing your body and mind to fully absorb the benefits of your practice.

Jo also loves to guide Restorative and Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra deep relaxation/meditation, although there are no classes currently scheduled specifically for these practices.

Although women outnumber men in many western yoga classes, yoga is absolutely not just ‘for girls’! In early times, yoga was more than likely exclusively practised by men. Today, Duncan Peak and Honza Lafond (both based in Australia), Eoin Finn and Baron Baptiste (to name but a few) are inspiring more and more men to practise yoga.

Men are very welcome (encouraged!) at Jo’s classes and Flow yoga is an active style offering plenty of opportunities to challenge your strength, balance and flexibility if that is what you’re looking for in your practice. Pleasingly, more and more men have been coming to Jo’s classes over time, so you’re unlikely to be the only one.

You don’t need to be flexible to begin practising yoga, and – if you’re not particularly flexible – yoga may in fact be ideal for you! One of the benefits of regularly practising yoga is that your flexibility, slowly but surely, will most likely improve.

At first you may need to take the base level poses – or even focus on just part of a pose – perhaps using some props to support you. Jo is there to help and guide you in finding the best way to begin your practice.

If you are a runner, cyclist or participate regularly in other sports or physical training, yoga is a complementary practice, helping to stretch tight muscles (hello hamstrings!) and strengthen complementary muscles.