Hello everyone, I’m so relieved to have found this forum. I am a beginner and am finding myself so inflexible that I feel totally overwhelmed, as though I am never going to be able to do it.
I bought the above dvd and can do none of the positions in the beginner section. Please can you offer your advice on how to begin ashtanga yoga at home. Any dvds that are good or what I should focus on. How did you get started? I am happy to commit myself to this every morning. Please help.
Hi,
I have now been doing Ashtanga for about five years and I still find it both mentally and physically demanding practice. However, it does get easier. I too was extremely inflexible when I started, but over time your flexibility improves.
John Scott is an excellent teacher and has produced a very good DVD. Try not to feel over whelmed with it. It really does not matter how flexible you are or how far you can go into a pose. I am sure that over time you will find it easier.
Although DVD’s are a great way to learn, there is no substitute to going along to a class. So if you have time and the means to do so, I would really recommend you going along to one regulary. There you will experience the expertise of the teacher, who will provide necessary corrections to your posture and encourage you to go deeper into your practice without risk of injury. They will also provide you with alternatives if a pose really is too strong to start with. You also have the bonus of meeting other people, who probably feel as you do.
If learning at home is your only means, then I would just encourage to stick at it. Enjoy your practice and take it gently, I am sure that in time you will be surprised how flexible you have become, and don’t be too hard on yourself. If necessary use props to help you (blocks and a straps), these will enable you to get into positions without applying too much strain on your body and thereby allowing your yoga practise to evolve.
I hope that helps
Darren 
YEs, i have also begun Ashtanga Yoga, doing it 6 days a week, 35-40 minutes a session for a little over a month, it feels great
but i am worried, my joints pop like crazy now, even while i am doing it
they sound out loud, and even when i am jsut in normal everyday functions
i wanted to know if i am doing something wrong or perhaps doing it too often, thank you so very much for your time
as i also would like to be doing everything correctly
thank you
Hi,
Joints popping maybe benign, but may indicate muscolo-skeletal problem that should be checked out if you have any reason for concern, and so it may be worth consulting a qualified osteopath.
When practising your yoga, you should ensure that your practise is gentle. Ashtanga has a tendancy of being a very yang, rather than a soft flowing vinyasa. You should not force your body into any position that it is not ready for. It is better to let your yoga evolve slowly rather than risking injury of your body.
I love Ashtanga, but do not do it daily. I try to mix this practice with other softer styles. I am not saying that is the best thing to do, but it works for me. 
If you go along to regular class, then perhaps discuss your concerns with your yoga teacher. He / she can the observe what you are doing in your practice and may identify problems with your technique that may be causing strain.
Darren
Darren,
many thanks for your timley response and concern
i will get things checked out and find a class to attend
soon,
hope all is well with your practice
thank you