Hello! I am new to your forum, and am looking forward to being part of this community! I am a stay at home mom of 3 kids, ages 4,3, and 7 months, with a husband who works very odd and numerous hours. We have recently moved out to the “country”, about an hour from our friends and parents. I took some beginner yoga classes in my late teens (about 8 years ago?), as well as in college. I have practiced at home on and off since then, but never with consistency. Definitely a beginner, but have a good understanding of the basics.
I am committed to developing a home practice, but am in need of good advice. I know that nothing replaces a good teacher, but classes are not an option for me. Between the cost, absence of childcare, and lack of classes in my area, I cannot make it work.
I am very interested in practicing Ashtanga Yoga, but I realize this is very difficult to learn, even with the guidance of a teacher. I am in no rush, I realize that it takes a lifetime to master. While I am busy with kids, I am committed and able to carve out the time necessary (up to two hours a day).
What would be your best advice for starting on this journey? I have done some research into DVDs and books, but it seems like there is a lot of fluff out there. I don’t have the money to waste on something that is not going to be valuable to my practice!
[QUOTE=jessica1062;81938]Hello! I am new to your forum, and am looking forward to being part of this community! I am a stay at home mom of 3 kids, ages 4,3, and 7 months, with a husband who works very odd and numerous hours. We have recently moved out to the “country”, about an hour from our friends and parents. I took some beginner yoga classes in my late teens (about 8 years ago?), as well as in college. I have practiced at home on and off since then, but never with consistency. Definitely a beginner, but have a good understanding of the basics.
I am committed to developing a home practice, but am in need of good advice. I know that nothing replaces a good teacher, but classes are not an option for me. Between the cost, absence of childcare, and lack of classes in my area, I cannot make it work.
I am very interested in practicing Ashtanga Yoga, but I realize this is very difficult to learn, even with the guidance of a teacher. I am in no rush, I realize that it takes a lifetime to master. While I am busy with kids, I am committed and able to carve out the time necessary (up to two hours a day).
What would be your best advice for starting on this journey? I have done some research into DVDs and books, but it seems like there is a lot of fluff out there. I don’t have the money to waste on something that is not going to be valuable to my practice![/QUOTE]
Hi , here is one idea find a teacher you like take practice lesson once a week or everyother week ,it can really setup your home practice ,just think like a kid taking a piano lesson ,you take your lesson then you go home and practice …
Home practice is really important many yogis just practice yoga in the studio and are selling them selfs short imho
Cheers
if you like / interested in ashtanga look at david swenson practise manual. Its quite detailed and also shows some short forms of ashtanga sequence eg 15 mins, 30mins 45 mins asana programs.
If you dont have access to teacher then better to learn from books / dvds that to not learn at all!! Never know circumstances may change and you may soon get access to teacher (but as mum with 3 kids highly unlikely!!!)
If you are short of time or have the kids calling on your attention frequently, maybe Ashtanga yoga is not for you. To follow that sequence is rather time-consuming. Or even if you have that as a goal, you could start off with building your own sequence, moving towards switching to Ashtanga when you’re ready.
I really like how Yoga Journal has at-home practice sequences in every issue. They are very inspirational. If you don’t want to pay for a subscription there is a lot of free stuff on their website, including videos with instructions on how to do certain poses. Or if you can find a couple of back-issues you will also get plenty to work with.
(In case you are wondering, I am a college teacher and this is certainly not an advertisement for that journal.)
Hello Jessica,
What is helpful about the particular practice you express interest in is that it is a consistent routine. The Primary Series is the primary series and this consistency can be calming and helpful to some students who require structure and repetition.
Since I am not an Ashtanga practitioner or teacher I cannot guide you further in that respect. However I would like to explore this statement:
Definitely a beginner, but have a good understanding of the basics.
Can you tell me what you feel these basics are? It may help to determine an appropriate starting point.
warmly,
gordon