Newbie Questions

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi all,

Anywho I find my self swimming in a sea of information about yoga, never actually having yoga’d I thought I would ask those who had for advice on certain things.

Now I was a runner for a long time, 2 years ago I took a wrong step during a road race and bent my knee the wrong way, basically laying myself up for 6 months, then continually reinjuring the knee for the next 6 months till finally I took a year off and let it heal properly.

So now I’m back to running, though not as flexible and 40lbs heavier, but just the lack of exercise in my life has left me very much drained and unhealthy in general. So a I thought maybe yoga would be a good adition to my life.

So I’m gearing up to take some classes, I’ve read up on the history and I’ve studied the poses or asanas, I can do all pretty well except the downward dog =p, ANyhow for the classes I’d like to have the right gear.

So …

  1. I’m 6’3" tall and most mats are 68" long, I figure a longer mat like the 74" or 80" one is better but don’t know who sells a good one, any recommendations? And do I need the longer one? or with the standard be ok with my feet hanging off?

  2. Should I be worries that I’m a little heavy? Maybe this is just a personal vanity.

  3. Are beginner classes really for beginners or should I practice more on my own till I feel more comfortable?

  4. Any general advice that poeple found usefull when they started out?

Thanks for your time.

#2

my previous post was deleted but i shall try again.
islam prohibits yoga. so be aware that it conflicts with ur religious beliefs.

http://www.hvk.org/articles/0904/35.html
Answering a religious question put forward, Egypt’s highest theological authority called yoga an “ascetic Hindu practice that should not be used in any manner of exercise or worship.” The undated but recent edict was signed by the mufti, Ali Gomoa. The edict, published in the pan-Arab daily newspaper Al-Hayat and obtained Sunday by the Associated Press, called the practice of yoga “an aberration” and said mimicking it is “forbidden religiously.”

Yoga is a collection of spiritual techniques and practices, aimed at integrating mind, body and spirit. In recent years, classes have started at gyms and in dedicated yoga centers. Tourist trips to Red Sea mountains and beaches also are arranged around yoga classes. The religious edict said yoga could distort Islamic beliefs, relying on a saying from Islam’s founding Prophet Muhammad about how if Muslims hold on to what he has instilled they will never stray from God’s book or the prophet’s teaching.

#3

I see the problem,

First off I’m not Islamic.

Second you probably thought I was, the user name I have is an old gamer handle I have had for many years. I once played an RPG style game online and had an arabic character named Ali-Fezar. I started using the handle in gamer forums and in future games, and also was widely known as “The Sultan” Ali-Fezar, for a few MMORPG’s that were put out by a game company I was an engineer for. As I answer user forums and did “Meet the Developer” online interviews, all with that handle.

So it’s more of a gamer “cultural” tag I have just always used, most ppl online don’t know me any other way.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

I’m Irish.

#4

Dear Irish Sultan,

Everyone’s capabilities are unique. Most important is that you find an instructor who has a teaching style that you enjoy, and who can provide answers for your questions. If you are interested in losing weight, a more vigorous yogasana program would be best - a flowing vinyasa style or if you are quite fit ashtanga. If your interest is more therapeutic, a gentler style of yoga, with an instructor able to provide personalized modifications would be better.

Because you mention the knee issue, I will point out that during standing poses in which the knee is a weight bearing joint, you must watch yourself to be sure that the knee is kept in a vertical line directly above the ankle and does not move ahead of the ankle as this can strain the ligaments. It is also important to use the muscles of the legs when holding poses, rather than locking the knees and supporting your weight by stacking bone upon bone. Strengthening the muscles of the legs will help to maintain stability and prevent reinjury. You certainly should discuss your concerns about your knee with your yoga teacher.

Namste,
Chandra

#5

What about mats??

Do i need the longer ones?? at 6’3" will I be ok with the standard 68" mat ?

#6

Go play! See what suits you. Some studios will provide mats to use, so you can try before buying. You should be able to lie on the mat with head and feet both on it.

Chandra

#7

I also am new to yoga, 14 weeks now. Being taller like yourself I started looking at larger mats. I bought a longer one from a fellow student. After 4 weeks I had gained enough flexibility that the longer mat no longer makes a difference for me.

For me it was more important that I simply show up and put my heart into my asana. As a person who has ripped both hamstrings and had surgery on both knees I find that I must be careful that I do each and every posture correctly to avoid pain. I would recommend finding a knowledgeable teacher that has experience working with people with knee injurys.

Just my 2 cents…

Namaste

#8

Hi Sultan, It sounds like your body needs to heal and cleanse. When I started yoga, I was in a similar place. I was about 30 lbs over weight (I am shorter than you so I was actually probably more out of shape) and had very bad carpel tunnel syndrome. By chance, I found Bikram Yoga, the hot classes. The heat really helped with my healing and cleansing process. I don’t do Bikram any longer but I spend about 9 months going pretty much every dayand sweating all the toxins outta my body. I lost lots of weight because it forced me to watch what I ate. The results were really spectacular. I don’t have to do Bikram though and if I had it to do over again, I would also check out the other hot yoga classes that have sprung up everywhere. But Bikram’s classes are all for beginners, so if you can stand the heat, give it a try. I really loved it when I started! I have since moved on to another practice, but I am really grateful for the kick start Bikram gave my yoga practice. Namaste & Best of luck! Tom

#9

Since you are a runner you may be interested in this interview with a former runner who got into yoga and opened up a studio. Her name is Christine Raffa she has a background into neuromuscular therapy and massage also.

I like the long mats for the parts of the class where you are lying down on the floor.

Dave