Want to start yoga

Hello everybody,

I am new in this forum. Recently I’ve found a book about yoga for beginners on http://www.sanusvictus.com/?s0=Articles&s1=yoga&item=55 . I am a little bit confused would it be useful for me as a start of doing yoga ?

I look forward for your answers.

Thank you in advance.

BR
Johny76

Hi,
There are many fine books available about practising yoga. It might be very confusing which one is best for your needs as you start out. I might suggest you rent a video/dvd from a library if possible to begin practising with some guidance. Books are a little challenging to learn yoga from as it is an experiential art and science and often requires the guidance of a qualified teacher or at minimum, a good video. There are many quality videos produced by Gaiam with qualified teachers such as Rodney Yee, Rod Stryker, Patricia Walden and others. I think you will find the actual guidance the best place to get started and then the books will serve as follow and for deepening your knowledge.

If you have a browse of our blogI think you will find more recommendations as I seem to remember someone listing others a while ago.

Trinity

namaskar
happy to read ur message, please start yoga through proper trained teacher i hope u will enjoy yogic life.

If u r interested contact free yoga teacher around the world

www.anandamarga.net

ur’s brotherly
naciketa

Hi,

I too think there is no substitute for a good teacher, and would heartily recommend that you find a teacher in your area. Maybe check out yogafinder.com, which provides lists of yoga teachers around the world.

A good teacher can ensure that you avoid injury, ensure that do not try too much too soon and guide your practice both physically and spiritually.

I personally find it very uplifiting to practice with other yogi’s with whom I can share my experiences.

Once you have been doing yoga for a while it is easy to compliment this with both books and CDs.

Hope this helps

There are some things in the Table of Contents of the book you mention that I find lesss than appropriate for beginning level students. And while I have not read this, to “do” some of the asanas they cover and do them via book instruction, well it’s not something I could advocate.

Nothing will compare (favorably) to a beginners series at your local yoga studio. I did not start from a book or dvd/video so I can’t speak to that path from personal experience.

The place I go to is not very big but keeps people who are serious about the yoga lifestyle, it is nice to be with like minded people who are searching for a positive solution to the challenges in life. The quality of people I have met in my yoga classes is refreshing. For the most part it is A positive group of people to be around.

Namaste’ Johny76,

The positive effects of incorporating Yoga into your life are as numerous and varied as the individuals who practice the ancient asanas. I agree that it does help having an instructor when possible (for a variety of reasons). I have been blessed with one on one yoga instruction - but I also have bought several DVD’s, VHS and watch the Oxygen channel when they aired Yoga with Steve Ross. My piont is, each way has merits and you will gain as much as you put into it!

The books begin to give an overview of what the poses look like, but for the beginner it may be difficult to attempt viewing your posture as if outside yourself. Whereas, an instructor can physically come to you and help you adjust your pose as your level of experience grows. A simple Down Dog has the potential to be much more difficult than it appears once you realize how many areas of the body are actually focused on at the same time.

Do not get discouraged. Do not expect immediate gratification. Yoga is something that has the potential to not only strenghten muscles, assist in toning, stimulating hormone production and/or internal organs–it also has subliminal processes that assist us with our mind / body connection.

Blessings & peace

You can also try local directories to find a studio near you. You might be surprised that there is one nearby that you did not know about. A studio nearby that you really like is another question, but it is worth a try.

Listen,
Starting doing yoga is always good for you.
Dont hesitate!