Which type of Yoga do I need?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi all,

I’ve recently discovered this forum and have been reading many threads and posts in order to familiarize myself with Yoga. The only encounter for me, personally, has only been when I started doing P90X and completely fell in love with the Yoga portion of their workout. I understand that their routine consists of many different types of Yoga in order for us to get a broader understanding of it.

I live a pretty healthy lifestyle and have always been fairly fit. I’m always either in the gym working out, playing sports, or running, and always open to work on all aspects of fitness. From what I’ve read, there are many different types of yoga - ones that make you sweat, ones that allow you to meditate, ones that increases your flexibility, and so much more - and in all honesty, [B]I’d love to do them all. [/B] I want to be able to accomplish them all at a high level.

So my question for you all is, where do I even start? There are classes offered at my school, but I’m interning elsewhere in the states as of right now, and will be attending my last semester in the fall. Where would I go afterwards? How do I even know what to look for in a teacher? I have so many questions that I don’t know where to begin. However, what I do know is that I want to incorporate Yoga in my life and become dedicated to it.

#2

Yes it’s cliche but . . .

Astanga Vinyasa

Now go beat yoga.

#3

Thanks for the reply. Do most people who practice Yoga limit themselves to one style? Is Ashtanga Vinyasa going to give me the flexibility and the right breathing mechanism that I need?

#4

[QUOTE=yoga_art;62908]Thanks for the reply. Do most people who practice Yoga limit themselves to one style? Is Ashtanga Vinyasa going to give me the flexibility and the right breathing mechanism that I need?[/QUOTE]

I honestly don’t know what most people do.

any sustained regular effort in asana will provide flexibility.

Light on Yoga by Iyengar was good for me.

I’d take some asana classes and combine that with exploration. I.e. study and practice.

Keep your mind open.

#5

I’ll just stick to your question of “where do I start”.
Start by wiping your slate. These things you claim to know in your post, wash them from your mind.

Second, determine if your interest transcends the physical body. If you are looking to learn Yoga then begin reading on the Yamas and Niyamas and make them part of your living. If you are interested only in the gross physical body then I would suggest a frisky, active, perhaps even warmed practice. However, be forewarned, these will often result in aggrandizing your ego and that inhibits yoga, it does not facilitate it.

Most teacher feels they have arrived after completing a 200-hour teacher training. This is understandable but it is also sheer folly. Assuming a sound training, 200 hours is the bare minimum to train in order to share basics of the practice with others and not harm them in the process. So please look for well trained teachers - unless you only want to be commanded into postures and do not care about your risk in the moment and over time.

All this having been said, there is nothing more helpful to starting then starting. We can and do pontificate until we’re blue in the face. Find some local studios where the teachers are well trained AND continue that training. Take 6 classes at each with three different teachers. When you find what serves your living (rather than your ego) then commit yourself to study but do not be afraid to sample other teachings. Remain balanced between a commitment and an open mind.

gordon

#6

any style is good. as an athlete I was drawn to power yoga. I started by reading journey into power and practicing in my room for an hour each morning I loved it and have not really done much weight lifting ever since

I would say practice with a DVD at home it will give you time to develop your practice at your own time and pace. Plus allot of studios will just teach routine and not be able to help each individual student practice correct postures. And going to a studio puts you into the mindset that you only can practice at a studio by paying them. When really you can practice for free anytime or anyplace that is quit and has a little space