Yoga.....for a beginner

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  • LeslieN65
    LeslieN65 Posts: 127 Member
    And when you try/start yoga..only do what you can do..use the blocks, bands and tools of the yoga trade to protect yourself from injury....your body will tell you when it is time for more....
  • cici1028
    cici1028 Posts: 799 Member
    I have been practicing Ashtanga for 2.5 years now and I just love it. It totally changed my life and my body and my mind!! I agree with other posters who say that there is no such thing as beginner's yoga... they are all the same poses. HOWEVER beginner videos often slow the pace and really focus on the fundamentals. Good luck, everyone gave you lots of great videos to try. Another great resource is yogajournal.com where you can learn more about the poses.

    I do recommend getting into a studio and trying it with a teacher's guidance. I love my studio, it's a community and everyone is super supportive. I still go to beginner classes all the time. No one is looking at you, at least not where I go to practice. My first day touching my toes was NEVER going to happen. It happens all the time now. Practice, practice, practice!
  • tlsegar
    tlsegar Posts: 185 Member
    I would reiterate the suggestion to let the yoga instructor know that you are new to yoga and ask for modifications with the poses. All of the instructors I've had have been super helpful and very encouraging.

    For those that have had negative experiences due to the horrible behavior of other participants, I am so sorry. That is terrible and is not what yoga should be about. Every starts at different levels and eveyone's body and ability is different. I don't consider myself advanced, but I can tell you there are some things I can do that some "advanced" yogis can't do and vice versa. And no one should be focusing on anyone else. Yoga is about you. I would encourage you to try a different class until you find one you are comfortable with.
  • sarahf3092
    sarahf3092 Posts: 147 Member
    Look up Dr. Melissa West - Namaste Yoga on You Tube. She has VERY beginner to advanced sessions. I have never done yoga a day in my life and have chronic pain and was able to do her beginner series. She has over 100 videos out there. I tried others but she explains everything really well.

    I was very confused by this, so I did indeed look her up. Luckily, her Phd is in the philosophy of communication, and her dissertation was on Madonna.

    So the world makes sense again :)

    Sarcasim?
  • sarahf3092
    sarahf3092 Posts: 147 Member
    I would reiterate the suggestion to let the yoga instructor know that you are new to yoga and ask for modifications with the poses. All of the instructors I've had have been super helpful and very encouraging.

    For those that have had negative experiences due to the horrible behavior of other participants, I am so sorry. That is terrible and is not what yoga should be about. Every starts at different levels and eveyone's body and ability is different. I don't consider myself advanced, but I can tell you there are some things I can do that some "advanced" yogis can't do and vice versa. And no one should be focusing on anyone else. Yoga is about you. I would encourage you to try a different class until you find one you are comfortable with.

    Thanks! Understand everyone will have different experiences and I wont know till I try out a class at my gym.........thanks for the confidence boost though :) my stiff muscles will only be able to do what they can and will be easier with time!
  • sdubya04
    sdubya04 Posts: 28 Member
    just go to a class and tell the teacher you are a beginner, all yoga poses can be modified to suit skill level.

    This

    It's easy to have your form wrong and a class will help that. Everyone in yoga is concentrating on their poses. Don't worry about what you look like. Everyone starts some where. You can still do the pose maybe just not as deep at first but a couple of classes in you will notice an improvement.

    I'm a yoga instructor and I get EXCITED when someone new to yoga comes in! We have the ability to modify and to teach to your level. I agree that going to a class with your form. Yoga is all about linking your breath with your movement and no one is watching you... ITS NOT A COMPETITION =)
    As for DVDs I love Rodney Yee, Am & PM workout. ANYTHING Rodney Yee is suitable for beginners!
    Feel free to add me if you want any more YOGA TALK!!!
    Sara
  • sarahf3092
    sarahf3092 Posts: 147 Member
    just go to a class and tell the teacher you are a beginner, all yoga poses can be modified to suit skill level.

    This

    It's easy to have your form wrong and a class will help that. Everyone in yoga is concentrating on their poses. Don't worry about what you look like. Everyone starts some where. You can still do the pose maybe just not as deep at first but a couple of classes in you will notice an improvement.

    Thanks might give you an add if you dont mind - would be good to hear from an actual instructor as well! Will check out Rodney Yee also

    I'm a yoga instructor and I get EXCITED when someone new to yoga comes in! We have the ability to modify and to teach to your level. I agree that going to a class with your form. Yoga is all about linking your breath with your movement and no one is watching you... ITS NOT A COMPETITION =)
    As for DVDs I love Rodney Yee, Am & PM workout. ANYTHING Rodney Yee is suitable for beginners!
    Feel free to add me if you want any more YOGA TALK!!!
    Sara
  • 1Cor1510
    1Cor1510 Posts: 413 Member
    Bump
  • andiecheyenne
    andiecheyenne Posts: 22 Member
    bump.. following and will come back to this later for the links! :)
  • smaihlee
    smaihlee Posts: 171 Member
    I hemmed and hawed for weeks about starting classes at my gym, last Fall, and really struggled through the first few Saturdays--primarily because I was getting used to the instructor's methods and the general terminology. It's hard to hold a pose when you're constantly looking around to see what you're supposed to be doing. Now, about 7 months later, I can go through most of the classes with my eyes closed and can really concentrate on my poses.

    A few months ago, my husband was interested in trying yoga and went with me to class. He got pissed off and left halfway through because he couldn't see the instructor, couldn't figure out what was going on, and had this opinion that the instructor should be going around assisting everyone. I found a local studio that was offering a "basics" workshop and signed us up. It was 3 hours long and went through about 20 basic poses, very slowly. The instructor walked around and helped us get into correct form and did a lot of talking to us about what to look for/think about. At the end, we put them together in flow. We left the workshop with a booklet with all the poses illustrated and explained.

    All of this to say, I would suggest you try the suggestions of the other posters to check out some videos online and play around a little to get comfortable with the terminology and the poses. Personally, I like doing classes in person much better because I can see more than just the instructor doing the pose. Trying yoga to a video is a lot more strenuous because you can only look at one thing (the TV) to see what you're supposed to be doing.

    If you're still not comfortable or just want some feedback, try to find a local studio the offers beginner classes that you can attend on an ad hoc basis until you feel comfortable. It takes some time, and remember that even people who have been doing yoga for years may not be able to get as deeply into poses as less experienced (but more flexible) people. That being said, don't be really hard on yourself because it's not about everyone else--it's about you and what you get from it.
  • sarahf3092
    sarahf3092 Posts: 147 Member
    thanks for the advice :)
  • staceypunk
    staceypunk Posts: 924 Member
    The only yoga I have done is Yoga for Dummies (DVD, cheap on amazon). The first option teaches you about 12 poses and you take a couple minutes getting into and holding each one. You can go through the menu and choose which poses you want or just let it play to get all of them which takes about an hour I think. The second part is the sun salute, which is a faster paced series of movements and you will break a sweat.

    It was good for me because I never did any yoga before. When yoga moves are incorporated into other workout DVD's I use I actually have a good background and understand what the instructor wants me to do.

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