Is it OK to begin practising yoga at home?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi,
I’d like to start practising yoga, but all the courses for beginners near my home have already started and I don’t want to join in the middle of the course (plus I think they are full anyway). Is it possible to start doing yoga at home? I really need to exercise and I think that yoga is the right thing for me. I’m slim, I’m vegan, but very unstretched and at my age (22), my back muscles begin to hurt sometimes (I think because of lack of exercise and wrong sitting position).
Could you give me some advice on how to start doing yoga at home? (maybe recommend some videos, dvds, books…) What mistakes should I avoid?
Or should I rather wait until next year and sign up for a course?

Thanks in advance :wink:

#2

It is [B]much better[/B] to start with a teacher, so check out the beginners courses see if there is a place for you or see if you can find any drop in classes.

A book or a DVD cannot correct you if you are doing the asanas incorrectly a teacher can.

#3

all right, that makes sense.

thanks for your reply :slight_smile:

#4

I learned yoga from DVDs and books. If you’re game, I’d recommend the DVDs [U]Yoga Zone Introduction to Yoga[/U] and/or [U]YogaWorks Beginners AM/PM[/U] to start. Both are good for a fundamental introduction to yoga while also being a nice practice that you can still enjoy once you are more experienced.

#5

Freshlemon,

I started yoga many years ago watching Lilias Folan on PBS. Yoga was not very popular back then, with few classes being offered and even fewer teachers. After years of absence I started my practice back up using DVD’s. And while I agree with yogacambodia that you should start with a teacher, until you are able to get into a beginners class, I would pick up a good book and a DVD to familiarize yourself with yoga asana. (and I am assuming you are interested in only asana, but please correct me if wrong) For a book, I’d suggest, “The American Yoga Association Beginners Manual” and for a DVD, “Yoga, the Iyengar Way.” The Iyengar book would be good in that it is bases on proper alignment and using props.

Don’t “not do yoga” because the class is full. Put a mat, the book and DVD on your christmas list and just start!

And a final suggestion is to contact the studio that is offering beginners classes and ask if it appropriate to begin mid way through. I teach a beginners class (actually called beginner and beyond) and can’t imagine turing someone away who wants to learn. Perhaps where you live, they are more rigid in “levels”. But certainly contact them. Many yoga teachers also do private yoga lessons and that would be an excellent way for you begin your journey. It can be pricey, but worth it.

Best of luck.

#6

[QUOTE=lotusgirl;68191] “The American Yoga Association Beginners Manual”
[/QUOTE]

I second this suggestion. My first intro to Yoga in 2005 was with this book, and I could not recommend any better book to start out a practice at home.

#7

Awesome :slight_smile:
thank you all for your advice!

#8

I think you are well answered here already so I’m merely adding to what has already been offered.

Having started with some individual instruction and a few classes BUT using a DVD at home, I cannot possibly say never do such a thing. I can tell you that at that time the personal instruction was about 100x more profound than the DVD (I wasn’t reading yoga texts at that stage). To me it was an initial investment in myself which I’ve never regretted and I occasionally still have contact with Annette, my first teacher.

Classes are offered in two basic ways; drop-in and series. If a series has begun then certainly it’s a bit wonky to join up in the middle - though not unheard of. If it is drop-in then there is no middle at all and simply showing up with an urge to grow and a willingness to change is enough (for the moment).

You can begin your practice this very moment through the practice of ahimsa. It is the first of 15 important livings relative to the path you are choosing. You will reap far more benefit from the overall practice when you have an applied philosophy underneath your budding asana (postures) practice. I suggest 21 consecutive days of looking at non-harming and feeling what it means in your living, how you can expand its definition, and in what way or ways it serves you, others, and the planet.

#9

What a wonderful advice! Masterly.