Yoga? I have questions?

The 10 Minute Solutions DVD is decent and basic. Rodney Yee is an excellent instructor, and I think his videos range the gamut from beginner to insane. I've enjoyed some of the Tara Stiles stuff I've found on YouTube and Rainbeau Mars (I found her on the BeFit channel on YouTube) is fun.

I am not super experienced, but I love going to yoga! I try to go at least once a week. I have a friend that goes every day. I do not look like "a yoga person."

For me, there is nothing that beats a class. There's a free class I go to locally, but it isn't my favorite. My favorite classes are the ones where the teacher walks around and helps guide you into the correct pose occasionally. When I have a teacher guide me I realize "Oh! THAT'S what it's supposed to feel like!" A DVD cannot do that for you, no matter how great the instructor is verbally.

Start with a beginner class. Realize that you probably won't be able to do everything for a while. Yoga is about the journey of discovering how your body moves. Accomplishment of poses is a side affect, in my opinion.

I highly recommend taking a class. I know that it can be intimidating, but I can tell you first hand anyone that most people in your class are going to be focused on themselves and their practice, not what anyone else is doing. In fact, teachers where I go often encourage people to not worry about what anyone around them is doing just focus on themselves.

If you are new to yoga often the teacher will assist you by helping you feel where a pose should be, and if you are having trouble figuring out their cues they will also come help you figure it out.

There are people of all ages and sizes in all of my yoga classes, go out and take one, it will be way better than a DVD I promise you.

A class can be good because they will tell you if you are doing the moves wrong. Though any movement is good. Another free option if you have a smartphone or tablet is My Daily Yoga. It's an app that has both free and paid options. I paid for the extra workouts because it's only $24 bucks a year. They vary from pretty easy to somewhat difficult. The app is a little bit of a mix of yoga and palaties and some of the transitions are not as smooth as you'd get on a DVD.

Find a begenniner level prgram/DVD and work your way up. Yoga can feel really good sometimes.

A friend of mine took some private yoga classes before she started regular classes. Also, you will find all sorts of people in yoga classes so do not let it intimidate you. Are you in an area with multiple yoga studios? Different studios have different personalities and class offerings. One studio in my area offers a class called yoga for rounder bodies. There are dvds and books about yoga for rounder bodies. There even ideas on pinterest.

I do a mix of classes, videos, and ideas from books, magazines, and lately pinterest. Yoga can really help you feel stronger mentally and physically. I personally love it and love learning more about myself as I explore different poses.

One of my favorite books is Yoga to the Rescue: A Guide for Real Girls. The author explains the benefits of different poses and how to modify them. She is humorous as well.

Get some comfy yoga pants, a shirt that won't flip over your head when you do downward dog, a good mat ( I like the Aurorae mats found on Amazon), and an open mind so you can get started. Namaste!

I use YogaToday which you can pay a membership fee too, similar to other online classes posters have mentioned, although you can just download their classes for less than $4 without joining. They have absolute beginners classes right up to "guru" level. I've been doing that for six years and have never stepped inside a yoga class and have never had a yoga related injury. I do avoid slightly risky poses like shoulder stand and plow but to be honest none of the YogaToday classes I've done seem to include those poses

There are studios that offer "Beginners Series", which would put you in a class with your peers. If you would like, you can message me your city and I'll find one that's appropriate.

There are many body types and levels of ability in yoga classes I go to.

If you want a dvd, you might try your library and see what they have.

I love yoga. And I'd take this opportunity to mention something no one else has: the "yoga look" that you are thinking of? Those are models. Just like in the ads you see for protein powder and ab machines. I've had yoga teachers who are long and lean - like you're probably thinking of - and teachers who are short and stout, but so strong! Some are pudgy, and some are thin - fitness and health don't look any specific way.

You'll see young women and old men, and curvy girls and weightlifting guys. And they're all excited you're taking the time to stretch your boundaries!

I agree with PaveGurl- The super-fit, skinny yoga people who's pictures are plastered all over the place are models, or people who think they look hot in bikinis doing fancy yoga poses- and they may be right, but it doesn't do anything for someone like you who's a bit intimated to walk into a class! I've been a full time yoga teacher for close to 10 years, and hovered around a size 14/16 for most of that time, though I'm down now thanks to MFP . You may find that demographic in some yoga studios, but that's not the norm... And if you're in a decent sized market, keep trying different studios until you find one that feels welcoming and authentic.

Find a well-trained teacher (ask what kind of training they have, it should be AT LEAST a 200 hour certification) and take their most basic, intro level class. A yoga studio will probably have the best teachers, but depending on the area, some local gyms might have great teachers too. The Y around here pays yoga teachers decently, so there are some good teachers there (including me!) I think the Y is nice too, because it's less intimidating than the "we're so enlightened and healthy and stylish" vibe you might get at some studios.

If you just can't stand to go to a class (I know it can be intimidating!), I recommend yogaglo.com, it's about $18/month with a free 2 week trial. I use it almost every single day! Pick the hatha style, level one classes, and do the short tutorials on specific poses you don't understand.

If money is no object, private lessons are the best of both worlds- Great, one on one instruction with feedback, and no one to worry about but yourself.

I would pay for the first 4 -6 classes with a certified member/ teacher, preferably IAYT, before doing any home videos.
Might be imbalances that need to be corrected first. Good luck and enjoy!