Absolute beginner

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hallo all.

Although I’ve always exercised, I’ve never been interested in yoga, neither the physical nor the spiritual part.

This has changed recently. I’m developing a growing interest in yoga, and I’m starting practice next week. I’m totally nervous…

To be honest, right now the physical part is what interests me most; I’m looking for a new, challenging, healthy workout. – Is this the wrong approach?

I’m thinking of trying two classes:

  • an intro class to ‘yoga’ – seems like a good idea :wink: i know that the instructor also teaches Iyengar yoga, but it sounds like a general introduction
  • an open, all-level hatha yoga class (the instructor has been highly recommended to me)

Like I said, I’m totally nervous, that’s why I’m telling you guys all of that. My greatest fear is not even that I could make a fool of myself but that I might be disappointed. Hope you understand what I mean.

I can’t even think of more specific questions right now :wink:

Best, Anke

#2

I don’t believe there’s a “wrong” approach Anke. You have an approach and it should serve you. Whether it serves others has no bearing whatsoever on this topic at this point. And it is completely possible for disappointment to follow expectation for they are, at very least, cousins, and perhaps siblings. If you can set aside your expectation then you needn’t be preoccupied with disappointment.

Yoga is an exploration of self. That exploration, in sound yoga practices, can most easily be facilitated through the [physical body since that is our gross nature, the thing we can most identify with.

Go and have your “healthy workout” and perhaps you’ll discover some other things along the way. What they might be, no one can say.

Gordon

#3

Dear Gordon,
thanks a lot for your helpful lines. I’d be grateful if with the phyiscal experience I’d discover more.
It’s hard to set aside the expectations, though. :wink:

I spent half the night reading here in the forum - wow, there’s so much to know and learn.
Now I’m so curious that I can’t wait until next week. I consider going to a yoga studio (the classes I mentioned are offered by my gym) today and have a ‘sneak peek’ (if I dare…).

Best, Anke

#4

There’s a Vinyasa class 1-2 being offered today. I guess (hope) that means for both beginners and more advanced students.

From what I’ve read it is the flowing style that right now sounds most intriguing to me. On the other hand, I’ve also read that it is exactly the flowing style that might not be best suited for absolute beginners.

The studio also offers “Forrest yoga” – I kept reading “forest” for while and thought that it was practiced outside, until I discovered the double rr.

Could anyone try to outline the differences between Hatha, Vinyasa and Forrest yoga?
(I’ve googled them and read quite some things, but since I’m so not familiar with the subject matter I didn’t understand too much)…

Many thanks,
Anke

#5

Generally the class level Vinyasa 1-2 is a little more advanced than just a level 1. Check if there are any “beginners” or “prep” classes first. Talk to the receptionist and they’ll help guide you towards a class for beginners.

Hatha is generally used to describe a slower, more gentle form of yoga, Vinyasa is used to describe a more vigorous style. Not too sure about Forrest yoga… Talk to the receptionist at the gym/ studio that you are going to, let them know what you would like to get out of the class, and they’ll help you.

Most people are a little nervous at first. It’ll pass and you’ll get through! Best of luck!!

#6

Thanks a lot, I’ll do that. :slight_smile:

#7

[QUOTE=Sulpicia;30443]…Could anyone try to outline the differences between Hatha, Vinyasa and Forrest yoga? …[/QUOTE]

I’ll do so simply and state that so you know that I’m not providing a dissertation on the topic.

Hatha typically refers to the physical practice of asana. So the Iyengar practice, the Ashtanga practice, the Vinyasa practice…these are all forms of Hatha yoga.

Vinyasa, here in the west, tends to have a wide range of definitions since it is used as a marketing phrase. It can be loosely defined as “linking” or “joining” movements together. In application is often seems to mean doing many postures in a short period of time without alignment or feeling them for more than 10 seconds. The emphasis appears to be on cardio-vascular effect and the over stimulation associated with doing many things in a short period of time to keep unfocused minds occupied.

Ana’s yoga has a very intense physical emphasis and it is, of course Hatha yoga. I’ve taken a workshop or two and listened to her speak on a variety of panels. Though I have not studied with her for any duration.

1 Like
#8

Thanks, that clarifies things.

You caught me; since I’m an impatient person the Vinyasa sounds appealing to me. I didn’t know that it was a trademark.

I’ve been to the studio (a mere yoga studio) and talked to the (very nice and helpful) receptionist; I also talked to the instructor of the aforementioned Vinyasa class.

She invited me to join, and so I gave it a try.
The group was small (7). The instructor cued a lot and took her time to explain everything to me and to correct me. Although the positions (I forgot the technical term) flowed one into the other, it was by no means a fast-paced class and there was a great deal of holding. She also focused a lot on breathing and alignment.
I had the feeling that it was a very good class, but I can’t evaluate it properly, of course.

All in all, it was a great experience. I’ll certainly go on with yoga, try different styles and maybe discover the spiritual dimension, too, if I’m lucky.

#9

may i also suggest that you supplement your yoga journey with sutra readings. they tune you in to the spiritual side of yoga which i believe is needed to become a good practitioner. goodluck to you!

#10

Thanks for that suggestion.

To be honest, I don’t know which sutras you mean, i’m very sorry.

What are they, and where do I find them?

#11

Sorry for not explaining. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are Hindu scriptures that have a great influence on yoga practice & philosophy. Many masters of yoga refer to them for the spiritual aspect of this ancient practice. You can go to swamij.com/yoga-sutras.htm as an initial reference.

#12

Thank you :slight_smile:

#13

Dear Sulpicia,
Welcome to the forum! How lucky you are to feel you are starting from the very beginning – this is a wide-open state of mind and a wonderful state to be in, even after years of practice. :slight_smile:

This forum is over 8 years old, with 1000s of threads and some real gems of sharing. Feel free to use the search function and to add new questions to any thread that catches your attention. Since Mel has piqued your interest in Patanjali’s sutras, you can check out this thread where members have added their own favorites editions and some discussion. The sutras of Patanjali is the foundation text of classical Yoga, but Patanjali only speak briefly of [I]asana[/I], or the physical practice of yoga, so you may not connect with it right now if, as you stated in your original post, “the physical part is what interests me most.” And no worries about this; I have many friends and clients who have the juiciest [I]asana[/I] practices, and they have no call to study the other aspects of Yoga because it isn’t part of their path. In fact, a vigorous Ashtanga practice is what first drew me to Yoga practice…or so I thought.

Yours in Yoga,
Nichole

#14

Thanks, Nichole, for your encouraging post.

Thanks for the link as well. I’ll read through it in a quiet hour.
You’re right, it may take some time until I’ll be able to connect with the spirituality of yoga, but I’m definitely interested in learning more about the backgrounds of yoga.

I’ve been reading a lot in the forum already, but most of what I read is way over my head (yet). Did I mention that I’m an impatient person? :wink:

For the physical part, I’ve really loved the vinyasa class yesterday. I was very lucky, I think, to stumble in such a good class with a very good teacher.
Now I’m really looking forward to my two gym classes - if I don’t like them, then I know that it might be the class or the teacher, but not the yoga itself.

Unfortunately the yoga studio is sooo expensive. :frowning: