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#1

Hi, My name is Sarah and I am from Minnesota! I decided to join the forum because I have A LOT of questions and stuff about Yoga! I actually started to learn yoga about a week ago. I bought a mat, blocks, yoga belt. I also have some small 2lb medicine balls, a big ball, and some resistance bands. I know you don’t really use those in Yoga but, I am really on a mission to eat healthier, loose some weight and feel better about myself.

Anyway! I am 19 years old and newly engaged. My fiance is 24 and he has back surgery last year. I have always wanted to learn Yoga but, was a little shy about it. Though my fiance and I both think it’s a good idea to get back in shape after his surgery. (Not only did he gain some weight, so did I taking care of him.) It’s not even about losing weight. I am a very stressed out full time college student working two part time jobs that add up to close to 40 hrs a week. So I am always go go go! :smiley: Well, I also have depression and sometimes I forget to relax and breath a bit. When I was still in high school I learned meditation which helped a lot. So that is why I think Yoga is perfect for me. Being a college student I would be nice to have a time of day where I can just relax and see “the big picture.” Meditation was one of my favorite things in the world, I just stopped doing it and I don’t know why. I am trying to change my life around and be a healthier person (mind and body.)

I want to learn Yoga and teach it to my fiance also but, I don’t have a lot of money to afford classes. I was hoping this forum will be a wealth of information and support. Any video’s or do it yourself guides would be great. I already watched a few introduction to breathing videos online and was hoping I could learn some more! I am excited to meet you guys and learn a lot! Any support would be great!:lol:

#2

Hey Sarah,
Welcome to the forum. There are some good links here already that have books and DVD recommendations. Use the keyword [I]recommendations [/I]to search for those. I want to share with you that attending a class with a well-trained teacher who you have a connection with will make all the difference as you are begin your practice. Even if it just a class or two that you invest in to give you some cues with alignment. You want to keep your body safe so that you are not the next one with a back injury;) You may even want to invest in one private Yoga session where you tell your teacher that your objective is to create a program of postures (asana) and breathing (pranayama) that is created just for you and your unique concerns. This would be a practice that you could bring home and do on your own if you are concerned about ongoing costs. In my opinion, I think this is the best way to invest your money. Perhaps there are inexpensive classes at your college rec center? Or a teacher who you can connect with there?
I was in college when I first began my Yoga practice, under a very similar work- and study-load as your own. One of the practices that helped me very much with the stress of being a student (and everything else in life!) was Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) Here is a link to give you some info on it. Yoga Journal - Channel Cleaning Breath You can google it to find a lot more info if you are interested. It helps to balance us in many ways, and with that balance comes the skills that help us manage our stress. Finding ways to help ourselves manage the stress in our lives, helps very much with the depression that comes from being chronically stressed. And all of this can occur with just the littlest changes in our lives, like the shift in your awareness that your fianc? and yourself could benefit from Yoga.

All the best to you as you begin your search,

#3

Hi,

Welcome to the forum. With regards to your yoga practice, I want to underline the importance, especially since your friend had a back op, of finding a teacher in your area who can help you and your friend with safe asanas for his back and for you. I know in South Africa many yoga teachers would make special arrangements with students who cannot afford the classes, we see it as part of giving back to the community. Perhaps you might find such a teacher as well or perhaps at a reduced charge, sometimes many of the teachers have reduced prices for students and pensioners.

Good Luck.

#4

Thanks! I really appreciate your help.

#5

Hi Sarah- Welcome to the Forum! I just joined and there is indeed a wealth of information here.
I agree with Nicole- it is best to try to at least take a few classes before jumping into a home practice. There are many studios that offer community classes at a discounted rate. I also have found studios that do work/trade. For example you work without pay at the desk signing in students and you get free classes. Most local studios would be receptive to this.

I also think books are a great way to deepen the practice. Maybe start with Basic Yoga book for beginners and a class or 2 and see where it takes you!

Enjoy the journey :slight_smile:

#6

Hi Sarah,

Wow you are really busy with jobs, college, a husband and going to this forum. Make sure you get enough sleep. For the best foods to be healthy and lose weight, see this site [B]Losing Weight[/B]. It has a webpage on depression also and there is a page on anxiety that tells about an MD who wrote a book on yoga as medicine and the benefits he got from it. You can buy a book on yoga for like $12 and learn to do it.

That is how I got started doing yoga 20 years before you were born. Also if you find the time you can see the page about enlightenment and happiness to see more about the potential of meditation. At the bottom of that page it has a book on yoga. Did you know that when you meditate your heart rate and breathing become slower than when you are sleeping. If any here disagree, it tells about the Harvard medical school professor saying this and how this is taught in many medical schools.