Hatha Yoga for beginners

sarajakobsson
sarajakobsson Posts: 3
edited October 7 in Fitness and Exercise
I am super stiff and have been struggling my entire life to get more limber. I have always been interested in meditation and mindfulness and that's why I think Hatha Yoga would be perfect for me. I have tried tons of yoga classes but they are all either to fast (which takes the meditation and the breathing away) or I'm not capable to do all the exercises because I'm so freaking stiff.

So I want my TV to be my personal yoga trainer instead. And when I checked online it was quite a lot of DVDs that said "yoga for beginners". So my question for you folks is which one should I buy? Have you tried some that were good/bad?

Replies

  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    I have one that's more vinyasa yoga but I'm completely in love with it..it's called Candlelight Yoga and the instructor is Sara Ivanhoe. She says at one point, "you're not good at yoga if you can bend all the way; you're good at yoga if you maintain your breathing"...she reminds you not to push or strain and has a cool attitude. The video is so easy and relaxing and I feel great afterwards.

    Oh and from my experience...stay away from Shiva Ray or Rae no matter how "beginner" her videos say they are...her idea of beginner is like, just a regular backbend instead of a quadruple-inverted-headless backbend.
  • Shock_Wave
    Shock_Wave Posts: 1,573 Member
    I had this chick friend that wanted me to go with her to yoga and I dont really know what it is. I know its a stretching thing but I am not flexible so I was scared. So is this just for people who are flexible because I would have not wanted to look like a 2x4 wooden board trying to bend. :D
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    I had this chick friend that wanted me to go with her to yoga and I dont really know what it is. I know its a stretching thing but I am not flexible so I was scared. So is this just for people who are flexible because I would have not wanted to look like a 2x4 wooden board trying to bend. :D

    There are lots of different kinds. Some is more for relaxing and light stretching, some for deep stretching, some for strength and balance.
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    I took a class last year in Hatha yoga, and I loved it. I am incredibly stiff (never been able to touch my toes even when I was a size 2). I handled it just fine. It's a lot of fun.

    I do recommend doing a class or something similar at first to be sure you have the right form for the poses.
  • yeabby
    yeabby Posts: 643 Member
    Instead of buying check the free on demand on your tv or netflix if you have them. Also, check youtube. There are a lot of free ones where you can try out Hatha and decide if it's for you. You can also decide if you like the instructor then look to see if they have dvds out.
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    proper form is extremely important for yoga. so..I would go to a yoga class for a bit first..then try the tv route....you will be surprised what may feel like good form is really not even close. a good instructor will help tremendously.
  • Silverkittycat
    Silverkittycat Posts: 1,997 Member
    I'll suggest some good beginner DVDs tomorrow. :flowerforyou:
  • fittraier
    fittraier Posts: 138
    I had this chick friend that wanted me to go with her to yoga and I dont really know what it is. I know its a stretching thing but I am not flexible so I was scared. So is this just for people who are flexible because I would have not wanted to look like a 2x4 wooden board trying to bend. :D

    As a yoga instructor, it is for EVERYONE! Your profile photo you look pretty muscular. I had a few younger guys (early 20's) who "tried" yoga a few times, they were into lifting daily and body building. About a month of him coming once or twice a week, he told me that yoga helped him in many ways. one he slept better, 2, he was able to lift better, and more because of the yoga. that was the only thing he had changed in his routine.

    There are different types and styles, so try some, and try different instructors, we all teach differently, you may connect with one more than another.
  • fittraier
    fittraier Posts: 138
    I am super stiff and have been struggling my entire life to get more limber. I have always been interested in meditation and mindfulness and that's why I think Hatha Yoga would be perfect for me. I have tried tons of yoga classes but they are all either to fast (which takes the meditation and the breathing away) or I'm not capable to do all the exercises because I'm so freaking stiff.

    So I want my TV to be my personal yoga trainer instead. And when I checked online it was quite a lot of DVDs that said "yoga for beginners". So my question for you folks is which one should I buy? Have you tried some that were good/bad?

    I bet you would do well with HOT yoga, often called Birkram. form is tricky. I am yoga instructor. if you can take a few classes to help get your form down, then maybe find some DVD's. I have people come to me after a DVD and sometimes thier form is not right.
  • fittraier
    fittraier Posts: 138
    yoga journal.com and other sites have free workouts also!
  • monih10
    monih10 Posts: 577 Member
    Bumping this thread....I love yoga...but am also still a beginner....would love to hear some advice as well!!:smile:
  • Shock_Wave
    Shock_Wave Posts: 1,573 Member
    I had this chick friend that wanted me to go with her to yoga and I dont really know what it is. I know its a stretching thing but I am not flexible so I was scared. So is this just for people who are flexible because I would have not wanted to look like a 2x4 wooden board trying to bend. :D

    As a yoga instructor, it is for EVERYONE! Your profile photo you look pretty muscular. I had a few younger guys (early 20's) who "tried" yoga a few times, they were into lifting daily and body building. About a month of him coming once or twice a week, he told me that yoga helped him in many ways. one he slept better, 2, he was able to lift better, and more because of the yoga. that was the only thing he had changed in his routine.

    There are different types and styles, so try some, and try different instructors, we all teach differently, you may connect with one more than another.

    Wow you are a good sales lady as well. I have insomnia at times and I would love to sleep better. I think its mostly from working out hard and it makes my cns go haywire which makes it hard to sleep. I am down for lifting better as well. So what would you suggest an easier class for me would be called. I would probably like level 0 if there is such a thing :p I mean I have really flexible hamstrings and shoulders thats it.
  • SWilland
    SWilland Posts: 232 Member
    I have one that's more vinyasa yoga but I'm completely in love with it..it's called Candlelight Yoga and the instructor is Sara Ivanhoe. She says at one point, "you're not good at yoga if you can bend all the way; you're good at yoga if you maintain your breathing"...she reminds you not to push or strain and has a cool attitude. The video is so easy and relaxing and I feel great afterwards.

    Oh and from my experience...stay away from Shiva Ray or Rae no matter how "beginner" her videos say they are...her idea of beginner is like, just a regular backbend instead of a quadruple-inverted-headless backbend.

    I've done the Candlelight Yoga and that one is great. Plus its on Netflix Instant Queue :)
  • lodro
    lodro Posts: 982 Member
    Originally, hatha yoga was meant as physical exercise for meditators, to enable them to sit in meditation posture longer. It takes focus, but yoga in and of itself is physical exercise, not meditation so much. It uses exertion followed by deep physical relaxation to build endurance.

    Also I think it is important to practice with a teacher who can correct you. All my advances are because of a teacher pointing out something to me: after all, it's my body, moving in a specific way, and my ability to self-correct is not that good, so I love a teacher pointing out good form to me.

    I've done kundalini yoga and now am doing bikram yoga.
  • fittraier
    fittraier Posts: 138
    I had this chick friend that wanted me to go with her to yoga and I dont really know what it is. I know its a stretching thing but I am not flexible so I was scared. So is this just for people who are flexible because I would have not wanted to look like a 2x4 wooden board trying to bend. :D

    As a yoga instructor, it is for EVERYONE! Your profile photo you look pretty muscular. I had a few younger guys (early 20's) who "tried" yoga a few times, they were into lifting daily and body building. About a month of him coming once or twice a week, he told me that yoga helped him in many ways. one he slept better, 2, he was able to lift better, and more because of the yoga. that was the only thing he had changed in his routine.

    There are different types and styles, so try some, and try different instructors, we all teach differently, you may connect with one more than another.

    Wow you are a good sales lady as well. I have insomnia at times and I would love to sleep better. I think its mostly from working out hard and it makes my cns go haywire which makes it hard to sleep. I am down for lifting better as well. So what would you suggest an easier class for me would be called. I would probably like level 0 if there is such a thing :p I mean I have really flexible hamstrings and shoulders thats it.

    Try a yoga for beginners or yoga for relaxation in a title. or a level 1.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories