What is yoga?

Yoga is the practice of being at peace with yourself.

I'm not flexible. Can I practice yoga?

Absolutely! I can't tell you how many times I've heard students say, but I don't look like that when I do that pose.  The thing is - it isn't about what you look like, it's about what it feels like.  When I first started I couldn't touch my shins in a forward fold - now I can stand on my hands.  Flexibility is not a precursor to, but one of many, byproducts of a yoga practice.

Is yoga a religion?

It is not. It is a philosophy that originated in India, approximately 5,000 years ago.  Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutra, which are scriptures which provide a framework for spiritual growth through practice, a practice that leads to mastery of your mental and physical self.  While religions can be woven into yoga, it is by no means a necessary part of a practice.

How often should I practice?

Any amount of yoga will positively impact your life.  Personally, I believe that the real magic of yoga comes from the practice, showing up to your mat daily.  My practice varies from day to day and I occasionally take days off but showing up daily helps to build a habit.  Some days I practice a hard-core power flow for 90 minutes - some days I roll around on my mat for a bit, get inverted and take a 20 minute savasana.  Obviously, practicing every day isn't always an option, as such I typically recommend 2-3 practices a week for 30-60 minutes each.  Don't let time restrictions hold you back - as I said any amount of practice will enrich your life.