New to Yoga? We’ve Got You!

YOU BELONG HERE

We welcome all students with open arms and loving hearts!

Join us as we explore mindful movement together— from a healing and thoughtfully systematized joint freeing series to Chair Yoga to our signature classes of Mindful Flow and Yoga Therapeutics—and we are here to help you every step of the way. Join our incredible Pawleys Island Yoga community, unified through an exploration of yoga philosophy, creative sequencing, attention to form and alignment, whole health, and illuminating our world with the best expression of ourselves.

I’M NEW TO YOGA, HOW WILL I KNOW WHICH CLASS IS RIGHT FOR ME?

We LOVE students new to the practice of yoga! You will find several classes on our weekly schedule that are especially geared towards the beginner and to healing from life’s bumps & bruises– Yoga Therapeutics I and II, Chair Yoga, and All Levels. You can see detailed descriptions of all our classes here or feel free to contact us with any questions!

WHAT DO THE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ON THE SCHEDULE MEAN?
We teach at locations where we can support the community of Pawleys Island: Waccamaw Recreation Center, located at 83 Duncan Ave; Pawleys Island Yoga on the beach, located at 2nd and Atlantic beach access on the NORTH end of PI (May-Oct); at Brookgreen Gardens (scheduled Singing Bowl Meditations in the gardens and Breathwork and Meditation in the gardens) and at pop-up meditations at the labyrinth; and sometimes you’ll find us around town subbing for others or at the Waccamaw Library.

CAN I ACCESS YOUR CLASSES ONLINE?

Yes!  COMING SOON! We know sometimes life gets in the way of making it to a yoga class and we want to make getting on the mat or in a Chair as easy as possible for you. You can join us for practice online via our On Demand Library (coming soon)! We don’t Zoom or offer live classes online, but we have recorded quality classes for you to enjoy at your choice of time and place.

 DO YOU HAVE ANY INTRO OFFERS?

Yes! If you are new to yoga and want to take classes with Inner Connections Yoga & Wellness, we offer a $35 Intro to Yoga experience. It’s a one-hour meeting with Jeanne where you learn how to make the most of your yoga practice by addressing questions such as “What is Yoga?”  “What are props?” “What do I need to know about the practice spaces?” “What kind of mat do you recommend?,” etc. We provide time for you to ask specific questions you may have before you begin your yoga journey. This is not a yoga practice or a class, rather it is an informative meeting to help you begin your practice with confidence and comfort. INTRO TO YOGA includes a complimentary first class.

HOW DO I BOOK A CLASS OR WORKSHOP?

There is no need to pre-book a class. View our schedule and use the link provided to pay by Venmo (use QR code to the left). When you pay, please include in the notes what class you are taking and the date. We accept cash and local checks. If you are all-in, you may want the option of purchasing 10 visits for $90. We take care of your card and mark it every time you attend a class. You are welcome to see your card at any time.
In service to the Pawleys Island Community, we are committed to keeping our pricing affordable.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

A yoga mat! The Waccamaw Recreation Center has a few mats to borrow if you forget yours. Your mat will be making direct contact with your entire body, so we recommend that you buy your own mat. Your mat is an important part of your practice and is your personal sanctuary. The simple act of gently and quietly unrolling the mat, stepping onto the sacred space, and breathing is the spark you need to move into your practice. You develop a special connection with yourself and your practice by having something that is just for your yoga.  Stepping into that positive energy, the mat represents truly committing to yourself and your wellbeing. It becomes an important part of your practice. It contains your efforts and your energy.

“Props” are the tools you can use to help accommodate for anatomical differences in your poses (i.e., arm length, flexibility, etc.), and include blocks (foam or cork), blankets, straps or belts, and bolsters (pillows). They can deepen and enhance a pose by providing support which helps create better alignment and may offer a deeper opening in your body. The Waccamaw Recreation Center does not provide props; please feel free to bring your own. We will offer you some guidance on how to use them during a class; the basic rule is that they should be used to bring more stability and easefulness to your poses.

*We offer private sessions if you need help using props.

You may want to bring a small towel and water bottle as well, for your comfort.

Chairs are provided for Chair Yoga and you may bring a mat to place under the chair or fold the mat or a towel for additional comfort on the seat of the chair.  You may choose to practice in bare feet, non-slip socks, or shoes.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Wear comfortable clothes that move with you and provide decent coverage. Shoes are not worn during yoga. Shoes are removed at the back of the room where we practice yoga. Please leave them in the back of the practice space, along with any other objects that are not needed for your practice (jackets, coats, cell phones, keys, etc.). We recommend removing your socks when you are in standing asanas (poses).

Please make sure your phone is off or on silent mode before class begins.

Once you are on your mat, please enjoy the sacred space of quiet. Conversations may be held after class or outside of the classroom.

DO YOU ALLOW DROP-INS?

Of course! We do recommend that you arrive at least 10 minutes before class begins to give yourself time to get settled with everything you need. 

WHAT IF I’M RUNNING A FEW MINUTES LATE?

Come! You are meant to be here. We understand getting held up on your way to class. Please enter the sacred practice space quietly and respectfully.

CAN I SHARE MY 10-VISITS?

Sure! You can share with family and friends that you bring to class. It is not transferable and not refundable. You have one full year from the time of purchase to use your card. (most places only offer 6 months!) Sorry, no exceptions.

COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

Community is our culture here at Inner Connections Yoga & Wellness and we whole-heartedly believe that yoga is for everyone! Here are some helpful reminders to help us keep this a welcoming space of connection and growth.

BE ON TIME

For many, this is a sacred hour free of distraction from the outside world and being late can disrupt everyone’s focus. Please do your best to arrive a few minutes before class is scheduled to begin.

TECH FREE ZONE

Please leave your personal belongings, including your shoes, in the back of the room (or in the closet).  If you must bring tech into the sacred space of a yoga practice, please switch it to airplane mode, silent mode, or power it off and leave it in the back of the room with your shoes. iPhones and Apple Watches can create a distraction to your and others’ practice.

THIS IS YOUR TIME

Practice mindfulness. Approach each class and each pose with inquisitiveness and a fresh perspective. Let the instructor be your guide, and let your inner voice be your guru. This is your time; this is your practice. Listen to your true guru. Let go of distractions, including the ones that compare yourself to others. Your amazing body is a unified part of that divine guru within. If you are more concerned about looking good than being good to yourself, you operate from ego and not mindfulness. We stress the non-competitive nature of yoga and invite you to make the practice your own — honoring your body and doing what is best for you.

DISCLOSE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Tell her that your lower back hurts, you just had knee surgery, or you have a trick shoulder. Part of our training is to offer you modifications to keep the practice safe for you.

BREATHE

On the mat, and off, you’ll get more out of whatever you do and whatever you think if you inhale and exhale mindfully. It will keep you balanced, grounded, practicing within your capacity, and mostly, will allow you to fully experience and appreciate the moments in your practice.

BE GRATEFUL AND SHARE GRATITUDE

Savasana is the final relaxation posture where everyone is invited to surrender and soak in the benefits of the practice. Be thankful for getting yourself to the studio, onto the mat, and being present. Your attitude of gratitude infuses your practice with grace and ease and helps ensure that what you have gleaned in class will remain with you as you step off the mat and into the world.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Yoga Traditions You Can Expect During Class

Chanting Om

Our classes often begin and/or end with chanting the sound “Om.” This Sanskrit word is said to be the sound of creation and helps to unite energy and bring sacredness to the practice.

Child’s Pose

This pose is the most common and accepted “resting pose” in the physical practice and is a good one for you to be familiar with for when you need to take a break. From your hands and knees, simply sit back on your heels and put your forehead on the floor (or on your folded forearms) with your arms outstretched overhead or wrapped back around your legs. Feel comfortable taking this pose anytime.

Savasana

Pronounced sha-VAH-sah-nah, this is often the final resting pose in a yoga class. It translates to “corpse pose,” and simply represents the natural ending of the practice and reminds us that everything in life happens in cycles. The pose is quite simple; lie on your back for a few minutes while the benefits of the practice absorb into your system— arms resting a few inches from the sides of the body, palms turned upward, legs a comfortable distance apart with feet and knees turned away from each other, and most importantly, the spine aligned from root to crown.

Meditation

We teach Meditation according to the yoga tradition we learned from the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, PA. We chose to study with Pandit Ranjmani Tigunait because we wanted to teach Meditation and Yoga that has the reputation of being authentic, based in history and tradition, and is traced to a lineage of Yoga. We teach these tools in our classes and you can gain the full wisdom of the systematic meditation in our TEACHER TRAININGS.

Namasté

The tradition at the end of a yoga class is for the teacher and students to say the word “Namasté” to each other. This word has many beautiful translations, but essentially means “The divine in me blesses and honors the divine in you.”