Advice please

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

:confused:Hi everyone…i am new to this site as well as yoga. I really want to start to practice yoga. I want to learn the right way. I took my first class today. the name of it was fundamentals…i figured it would be great to start at the bottom due to the fact that I have never done any yoga ever. I liked the class, but I was kind of hoping the teacher would come around and make sure I was in the correct position…she came over once to adjust my hands but that was it…i watched the other people in the class to try to figure out what positon i was supposed to be in. I really doubt I could have be doing everything so well that the teacher did not have to give direction. Even with the positons, she would just say the name, such as downward dog, warrior one…well I have no idea what these are…well I do now but when I got there I didnt, and she didn’t feel the need to explain…

do you think i should stick to it there and just let her know that i would like if she could look me over just to make sure i am doing everything correct or should i just try to find another place…i really only have one other place near by…it is alot father than this one but it is still a reasonalble drive…what are your opinoins???:confused:

#2

How did you feel afterwards?

Better or worse or maybe hard to tell?

Just two Q’s you might want to ask yourself.

I remember watching other people.You could always try out another class or teacher if you feel the teacher in this class may be is’nt up to the job you’re after.

You could always invest in some books or watch a couple of vids.

Honestly if i stated again; i would find an alignment-based teacher that really knows the craft and is well-experienced.What does that mean?- well Iyengar yoga is an example of a style based on alignment principles however this ‘stamp’ or brand of style , i feel based on my own experience ,won’t necessarily guarantuee they are of the highest standard(indeed i had some negative or questionable experiences by such teachers promoting/labelling the yoga they taught as ‘iyengar’)…If they use props,blocks and straps they may have alignment-based training (among other things,styles…). If they just push you through a pre-choregorphed pre-set routine that feels more like a gymnastics class in full swing then you could always try somewhere else if it is avalabile for you & at a price you can afford.

There’s alot to take in.

Stcking with the yoga is good idea when you start out just so you get more of a taste of what it can deliver,it’s potential ,and then continue with it, with a practice.

If you felt worse consider going somehwer else or broach this with the teacher. If they’re a good teacher they should listen to you and take on board any concerns or doubts you might have.

P.S My first teacher went like the horses,and i’m still not convinced about her style but the class was free, offered in a gym-type environment and, i guess, we’ve all started somewhere.

Ho0w do we know which teacher might be better?I guess by shopping around and trying out different teachers and studios.A first class is a major milestone. I’d be curious how you might answer to the first question though.

#3

Just to add here.

When i say better teacher. I mean better teacher for us/you. That is, a teacher and/or style we might better gel with. As each teacher (and teachings) brings their diferent strenghts(or weaknesses) as well as personalities into the equation.And may distill the essence of yoga in their own unique and different ways. So there are diferent teachers.Not to mince words too much though, But some [I]are[/I] simply better or more extensively trained .Perhaps they have been practicing,teaching and learning for longer or more intensively.

I think a beginner should benefit from a sound alignment-based foundation in asana.It’s a good entrance into yoga.A number of posters here, if i’m not mistaken, tend to concur on this point.

#4

Hello Newbie…

A fundamentals class is a perfect place to start for students with no previous experience who want to learn foundational elements for a safe and effective practice, both in the moment and over time.

Many venues do not offer such appropriate classes. So all things being equal, it sounds like you are in a good place. (of course that does not mean to chuck all discernment out the window).

As far as adjustments are concerned, in a first class the paramount thing is that the student have an experience of the practice, the poses, the lifting of the arms, the engaging of the legs. It is not critical that they be corrected each and every time for each and every thing. In fact that often overwhelms students and may lead to them feeling inadequate. Frankly, in a fundamentals class if I corrected everything I’d be exhausted before things got going :slight_smile:

What is important is to get to the safety issues first. So those are the adjustments I would make - but otherwise leave the raw beginner alone. It takes time to learn the practice and a good teacher will bring you along slowly so that you are not wilted by a plethora of information and run off before yo’ve begun.

gordon

#5

thank you both for your advise. I have to admit that I do feel better this morning…I feel more relaxed but I am not sore anywhere. Should I be? I am going to take the advise you have both givin me. I will stick with this class for a while longer, before I venture out somewhere else. How many times a week should I attend a class? Should I also practice at home inbetween? I just have very high expetectations with this, I really want to embrace and love yogo. I already feel, with the one class I went to, that i will like the practice. I need not only to get my body in shape, but also my mind. I find though the better physical shape i am in, the better my mood gets. I really need toning of my lower body and abs. And I need my peace and less anxitey in my life…I really hope i can achive both from yoga. I really dont like anyother form of exercise except maybe a spin class a couple times a week. What are some thoughts on that? Sorry to be a pain, I just have sooo many questions. I want to love this and I dont want to be somewhere that will take that away from me…does that make any sense?

#6

I agree with Inner Athelete. Safety of a new student is very important and instruction/adjustments given for that reason. More specific adjustments and instruction can be given as the students becomes more comfortable with the class and the flow. If you at any time feel uncomfortable in any of the poses during class (meaning painful) just come out of the pose or rest in childs pose. First get use to the class and the general movements.

DVD’s and books are a great way to supplement your class and practice the poses.

Two words of caution though. One, is to not have any expectations about yoga. Don’t want to love it. That will happen over time. Usually it doesn’t take too long! Just enjoy the moment and movements in class. Second caution, and this one is more difficult with a new student, is to not look at the other students while practicing. The temptation is great, especially if the teacher doesn’t demo the poses or give instruction. Each student will look different in each of the poses. Body size, structure, injury, flexibility, and longevity of practicing all contribute to each students pose looking different. We need not look like others, the teacher or pictures in books to feel the pose and benefits.

Talk to your teacher after or before your class and share with her your concerns. You’ll know by her response whether you should stay with her or seek out a new teacher. If the later is the case, seek out an Iyengar or Anusara teacher. They will deal more with alignment than a Power type class.

Best of luck! Keep us all informed.

Namaste!

#7

you have all been very helpful…couple of more questions though…sorry, I know everyone must ask these same questions all the time, how many fundamentals should I take before I try something else? Should I do just the fundumentals or can I do something else maybe another day a week. How many days a week should I do this??? CAn I do it everyday or is that too much so soon. Also to tone up my body and also burn max amount of calories but still be able to reap the meditative benefits what type of yoga should I get into? Also, not so sure how to breath…my instructor keep saying breathing is important, but I am not sure I am doing it right…she did not give any instruction except breath in and out slowly through your nose. Any website i sould visit to learn or do any of you have any advice

#8

If you are not feeling comfortable or you have some doubts about the place where you are going now then according to me, you should switch for another yoga class.

#9

You ask many good questions! I’ll try to answer.

  1. How many Fundamentals should I take before trying something else? Depends on you. Are you feeling more comfortable in the class? Have you talked to the teacher about your concerns? If you really want more instruction, either seek out a new teacher or supplement with books/DVD’s that will help you with the poses.
    2.Can you do this every day or can you do another style of yoga in addition to your current class? Yes! But again, it depends on you. If you want to do a home practice every day, that’s great! Just don’t overdo it. Concentrate on alignment and really “feeling the pose”. The DVD’s/books will help.
    3.Burn calories, yet reap meditative benefits? If you want to burn calories you should look into Power, Ashtanga or a flow type class. As far as meditative benefits, as long as you are “in the moment” and really feeling and visualizing the pose you will benefit. In addition, a good shavasana afterwards will help seal in the benefits of the practice. A separated Meditation practice at home is also advisable. I start off each class with at least 10-15 minutes of meditation. (really not enough in my opinion, but there is so much to incorporated in a short period of time when teaching with time restraints)
  2. Breathing? Well, for a new student, you should just become comfortable with your breath during practice. i.e not holding your breath. Once you become more comfortable with the asanas (poses) you can delve further into breathing. A good website that has much info from breathing to asana description is yogajournal.com

Hope this helps!

Namaste

#10

Hello Newbie,

I think, based on your level of curiosity, I would suggested turning the inquiry inside. Consider looking for intrinsic replies even if the internal looking doesn’t seem to provide clear, concise, and comprehendible answers.

Additionally, it would be helpful to cultivate a relationship with your teacher such that you can pose one or two questions periodically. New students have questions and teachers working with new students likely expect inquiry. Some are even trained to respond :slight_smile:

I would continue a foundational class for several months. At that time I believe it will be very obvious when it’s time to graduate to another class (level) so that your practice may grow.

As for frequency, I tend not to advise diving into deep waters unless the swimmer is very strong. Three classes a week is a very sound beginning. A home practice is wonderful, even desirable when the student knows what they are doing. Otherwise they only get the benefit of discipline not the benefits of proper alignment.

Since “flow” and “child’s pose” (balasana) have been mentioned I’ll add that a foundations class may not be a flow or vinyasa class and for those of us practicing in a style not of that sort, balasana is not a time out, a rest, or a weigh station for the overworking. In fact I prefer students not drop into balasana if they are becoming fatigued for reasons that are not germane to this thread. So different practices, different advice. The spice of life!

#11

different teachers have different styles. In the kundalini yoga classes I have attended they never have adjusted my posture through physical assistance. I believe their reasonin is for me to go inward and figure it out, this way I become self sufficient. they will give instructions such as straight spine etc… but they have not been hands on.

in anasaura classes I have been to they have been very hands on and have adjusted my posture many times.,

in my opinion a very hands on teacher may lead to depency of the student, the student may always feel the need for the teacher to readjust the posture. the other side of that is it has given me deeper insight into postures, so i dont see a right and wrong way in the varying styles.

if you are having issues with certain postures, feeling a pain etc… you can always describe the issue after the class to the instructor and hopefully they will help you with it.

best to you
brother neil

#12

@Neil

It’s not a level comparison to place the adjustments in an alignment-based practice (like Iyengar) next to a hands-off approach in a practice where there is virtually no asana and certainly no alignment-based asana. An untrained teacher should not be adjusting a posture they know nothing about.

As far as dependency is concerned, anything can become a dependency - like the attachment to a feeling of high that results from oxygen deprivation associated with certain advanced pranayama.

As an alignment-based teacher I both fail and rob my students when I observe a safety issue in their asana practice and do not offer direction: either verbally telling, tracing, or doing it for them, in that order. But your point is valid in that I must also be wary of students building an attachment or expectation of adjustment. Guidance they should always expect, when they have come in to the teacher-student relationship with a level of commitment.

Gordon