Okay- I know nothing about Yoga. I want to learn how to do yoga, and I want to know is there a website or online video or something that can teach me that you know of, or is it something that I would actually have to commit to and take a class? I would really rather just learn a basic yoga routine to do alone, but I don't think I even understand exactly what the point of yoga is. I know it helps with flexibility & the body & mind but not specifically how.
About.com has some good information on yoga, what it is, and how to get started. Check out these links. What is yoga? http://yoga.about.com/od/beginningyoga/a/whatisyoga.htm How to start http://yoga.about.com/od/beginningyoga/a/howtostart.htm There are different styles to yoga. Picking the style that suites you and you like will make your experience more enjoyable and help you stick with it. Yoga Style Guide http://yoga.about.com/od/typesofyoga/a/yogatypes.htm What is your Yoga type? http://yoga.about.com/od/typesofyoga/a/whatsyourtype.htm I would suggest looking over the different styles and exploring a few different ones that spark your interest. Read more about them and find a few good DVD's to try out at home, since you don't want to go to any classes. If you are going to go it alone be sure to pay attention to your body, both with the poses and what it is telling you. Don't push it too much as first. While it might seem fairly easy and light the first time you do it, it can really be a work out so take your time and go slow. Good Luck and Enjoy!
Hmm... I don't know much about yoga, but I hear that it is much easier to learn how to do it correctly if you go to a class. There's one in my area that's only $48 for 3 months of classes, 4 classes a month. If you can find a good deal, you should definitely go for that. In the time being I guess it's ok to satisfy your interest by looking at how-to's online, though.
I started doing Yoga about 2 or 3 months ago and have just been following the schedule given in "Light on Yoga" by B.K.S. Iyengar. I havn't had my ability analyzed by an instructor or anything, so I don't have an official opinion on my poses, but I've found Yoga to be pretty intuitive actually. I can usually "feel" exactly how I should have my body positioned each time and as mentioned before, listen to your body. There are a few poses that really stretch me and I ocassionally have to back off on them before a muscle tears. The best advice I can give is to take your time, really be in the moment when your doing this and let your body just fall into place, you'll know it when you find it.
Namaste, Yoga as defined means "union", your consciousness in union with Gods. The physical positions everybody associates as being Yoga are only one facet of the stone of the overall yoga program. Yoga is about divine awakening, i.e. awakening the Kundalini, which in effect reverses the polarity of experiencing the finite consciousness as yourself, with one of experiencing your consciousness of self as God. Look up Yogavision.net. This is my Gurus web site, Swami Satyananda. I just published a book on my Kundalini Yoga transition called "Kundalini Dream". Namaste
If there is a yoga studio in your town I would recommend trying it out because then you can have an instructor help you and make sure you are doing the poses correctly. Most studios have a class for all levels, so if you are a beginner you can go and just stay in the back so you can follow others.
If you want to learn alone then start with savasana. Get that. Learn to be really relaxed and with easy breathing. Do some pranayama. You have to get your body into the right condition for the asanas. First of all relaxed and then learning the graceful and easy way of effort into the poses and how to sink deeper into them. That comes out of the savasana. Other than that - sure - take a class. You could luck into a good one.
You can buy also some books about Yoga. Obviously the best is to take a class, but at first also the books can help. Here are some: -Ancient secret of the fountain of youth -Mudras, Yoga with fingers These are simple 'exercises' to do. NAMASTE
Study the texts to gain insight but realize that nothing beats taking a good class. When doing the poses it can feel like a good stretch but you'd be surprised how many adjustments you may require. To find a good class call around and ask specifically if they do adjustments. Select those classes that do over those that don't. I've been to classes where the instructor just demonstrates the poses and no body was adjusted, as if I pay the instructors to practice yoga. They'll try to tell you that tis better you become tuned to your body and know when ur doing them correctly which is seriously giving too much credit to beginners for their own good. Novices must know when they're doing it incorrectly cos you wouldn't even know it until it's too late and u can get seriously hurt over the long term if u keep up an incorrect pose. Adjustments in the beginning is crucial. I've been practicing yoga off and on for years and am always surprised when i go to a good class that adjustments are still required and WOW, what an opener that always is. Alternatively you can get an informed yoga buddy to spot you. Choose a proper yoga studio over rec centers. Rec centers are air conditioned whereas a yoga studio will simulate the environment of where yoga originated, the hot, humid climate of India, which is the best condition IMO for muscles to relax and avoid injury. good luck Namaste
