My name is Brian and I am quite literally,brand new to these forums. Where should I start at? I am interested in yoga hoping it can help me better my life. So anyone who could potentially point me in the right direction would be doing me a tremendous favor! Thank you!
Hi Brian,
Some feedback from you first please.
Can you paint a brief picture of yourself including your current physical condition, age and occupation? Also please outline the type of person you are, what your nature is, how your daily living plays out.
In this way direction tailored to you can be offered, rather than guesswork and generalities.
gordon
I would try to find a class near you and attend, a class with a teacher will give you a better introduction to yoga than dvd etc. Personally i would try as many styles as possible until you find the one that suits you, it may be your 1st class or 20th class… actually the style will find you!
Have fun, will definitely improve your life
Thank you jumpers. I’m 6’2’’,300lbs but its not all fat,I’m slightly athletic. I’m 23 years old,and as of now I have no occupation because my wife was recently diagnosed with Lupus and Cancer and I have to help take care of her and our 2 year old son. I ultimately want to better myself health wise,gain some flexibility, and further myself in my meditation practices. Sorry if I didn’t fully answer your question.
Thank you Brian.
You’ve asked where to start. And to that end you’ve added that you have some very significant things going on in your life and that you’re a solidly built fellow who’s also quite young in years. You’ve also mentioned a meditation practice.
Here’s what I suggest. It will be important to find a class that is nearby. Why? Because things come up to impede our attendance. Though they are becoming rare and scarce, try to find a yoga studio where they are teaching more than postures (asana) - though find a place where the teachings (of posture) are alignment-based, safe, effective, and not rushed or heated as these two things can often obscure alignment.
Find a place where the teachers are living what they are teaching and teaching what they are living. Find a place that is kept spic and span and where teachers and students smile and appear to embody the joy of both the practice and life.
Once you have a location picked out. sign up for a 6-class pass or the like. Take two classes with at least three different teachers. After each class spend five minutes sitting still and quiet and feel the residue of the teaching left within you. It is this ability to feel, this discernment which will ultimately point you in the appropriate direction for you.
You might start by reading some great books on the topic. Anything by Iyengar, Donna Farhi, or Judith Lasater.
Thank you E.D.Y andd inner athlete. I will do as you both have suggested. If its of any importance inner athlete I’m very interested in tummo,although I’m not sure if that’s relevant or not. Do you have any suggestion as to how I would be able to find a local yoga class? Honestly I don’t know where to even begin! Thanks for your time!
To find a local class just look at local press and advertising or google search…