Just starting out

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hello there

As a total newbie to yoga, I was wondering if anyone could recommend some good books or audios or anything that would get me on the right track? I have some DVDs at home and I’m also part of a gym, but I’m having trouble getting started and staying motivated. I am also interested in the spiritual part of yoga and want to incorporate that and meditation into my lifestyle- again, have absolutely no idea where/how to start with that, either. Thanks to anyone who has advice on this front.

#2

Go to a CLASS!!!

Much better to have a TEACHER than a book or DVD…a good teacher will motivate you and keep you interested…being part of a group will also help with motivation…and you might meet some interesting people willing to share their yoga experiences and knowledge.

A book or DVD cannot check if you are doing the asanas correctly a teacher can.

Books maybe helpful for you to start to explore the spiritual side and the yogic values that yogis live by…go to a big bookstore…sit on the floor in the yoga section and brows through some books…find something that is interesting to you…

Go to a few classes with different teachers…find one that you like…if you like it…you will stay motivated and interested.

#3

Welcome to the forum!

AS the previous post suggested - teacher is required for the beginner. DVD and books is just tools to explore your practice. If you have a chance… i would recommend to find a good affordable teacher and take few private classes. This will be an invaluable experience. And one good private class is about $ the cost of good yoga DVD, but you will get more complete understanding of what you WANT and what you NEED to do in your yoga practice.

I understand that you might want to jump in to yoga poses right now and try all of them. BUT It is important to set your goal. What are you trying to achieve by doing yoga: calmer mind? more fit body? enlightenment? are you interested cleansing techniques?

Without letting people know what you goal is…it is hard to even address any particular DVD or book. But there are TONS of good ones as well as not too good:)

#4

Thanks to all for their input. So my next questions are this:

  1. Affordable ways/places for a yoga teacher? The only reason I can afford my gym membership is because it’s $20 a month. I’ve looked into many yoga places in my area and they’re all more than I can afford. That’s why I was asking about books and DVDs. I understand a teacher is better (and believe me, I want one) but I don’t think I can afford one.

  2. As to what I am trying to get out of yoga (in terms of being able to recommend reading) I want both a fitter and healthier body and also enlightenment/better state of mind. That’s why I want to incorporate both the physical and spiritual aspects of the practice into my life.

Thanks again to everyone, you’ve helped a great deal! Let’s keep the dialogue going :slight_smile:

#5

CAF64,

Is it possible that you can afford to attend just a couple classes? That way you can learn the proper alignment for the basic poses so that you can practice at home. Then maybe you can just attend once or biweekly? I know classes around me are $15 which I think is worth it. However, I know how trying times are economically everywhere. I have to admit that I did yoga many years at home before getting into an actual class. I am blessed to have not hurt myself but I cannot recommend it for others. It is just so easy to pop a knee or pull a hamstring.

As for the spiritual aspects, I would recommend reading the Yoga Sutras.

#6

If you have looked at your finances, your spending, and your priorities and truly cannot (at this time) afford quality instruction then you will have to settle for lesser quality instruction. Please do not neglect to begin the process of manifesting enough to do what is important in your living - in this case money for classes.

Find an alignment-based DVD like the one offered by Patricia Walden.
You may also benefit from the book “Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health” by BKS Iyengar. However please remember that no book is the gospel or perfect fit. A simple® read might be the Bhagavad Gita. A more complex one could be The Science of Yoga by I.K. Taimni

#7

I agree with the above posters but I am in the same general financial boat. I started out with one of my favorite people as a teacher and then began my home practice. Once my finances allow, I will be looking into doing classes with a teacher again at least twice a month.

I was in the same boat with regards to sticking with yoga too but I found that, just like anything else it takes dedication to yourself and acknowledging that you deserve to have your practice:) Best of luck!

#8

Thanks again to everyone for your advice. I’m going to do a bit more research and see if there’s any way I can afford even one or two classes to get an idea before I practice at home. However, if not, I’ll have to settle for trying it carefully on my own for a by and maybe try to get what I can from a book.

Final question: (for now haha)
I want to learn to meditate. Any beginner tips or good ways to begin? Thank you all so much, this is really motivating me to learn all I can and not just throw myself in haphazardly and do it incorrectly. :slight_smile:

#9

[QUOTE=CAF64;65180]Thanks again to everyone for your advice. I’m going to do a bit more research and see if there’s any way I can afford even one or two classes to get an idea before I practice at home. However, if not, I’ll have to settle for trying it carefully on my own for a by and maybe try to get what I can from a book.

Final question: (for now haha)
I want to learn to meditate. Any beginner tips or good ways to begin? Thank you all so much, this is really motivating me to learn all I can and not just throw myself in haphazardly and do it incorrectly. :)[/QUOTE]

The best way to start meditating is to just sit in complete silence and concentrate on your breath. Easiest way to start and start in small time increments (5 minutes or so) for a while then build up from there.

#10

…and as an addition to the above post:

Try to avoid the “group think” that stilling the mind and meditation are synonyms. The former precedes the latter.

#11

I’m eventually going to sound like a broken record on this but if you’re having trouble finding the time to get to a class (which, I agree is the best way to get into yoga and get the most out of it), I heartily recommend yogaglo. Its a website that offers, for a small subscription, scores of classes in various styles and duration. Included are some wonderful meditation classes, as well as some lectures and other resources to help you understand the various aspects of yoga.

BTW, I am not affiliated with them in any way, just a daily user and big big fan.

#12

[QUOTE=InnerAthlete;65195]…and as an addition to the above post:

Try to avoid the “group think” that stilling the mind and meditation are synonyms. The former precedes the latter.[/QUOTE]

Amazing point InnerAthlete! Thank you for adding to my post;)

#13

[QUOTE=MultitaskingMama;65197]I’m eventually going to sound like a broken record on this but if you’re having trouble finding the time to get to a class (which, I agree is the best way to get into yoga and get the most out of it), I heartily recommend yogaglo. Its a website that offers, for a small subscription, scores of classes in various styles and duration. Included are some wonderful meditation classes, as well as some lectures and other resources to help you understand the various aspects of yoga.

BTW, I am not affiliated with them in any way, just a daily user and big big fan.[/QUOTE]

I have checked out YogaGlo myself and I have not joined as of right now but liked what I saw as well. I think it is 18 a month for unlimited access if my memory serves me correctly.

#14

At our studio, if you came in and said this to me, I would ask if you would clean my studio floor three times a week and I’ll let you have all the yoga you want.

#15

Um ok :stuck_out_tongue: so where is your studio!?!? :slight_smile:

#16

We are in upstate NY. My suggestion was more hypothetical somewhat as we have offered the cleaning opportunity to a young lady in a similar situation whom WE approached when we found out she wasn’t coming to class do to finances. She cleans the entire studio once a week, top to bottom. I get to do the floors most days though. :smiley: