Yoga, Meditation, Diet - a beginners guide

Mindfulness Meditation
#1

Hi everyone!

I’m very new to yoga, so new that I’ve not even tried it yet! I’m booked in to start a 7 week yoga course from 9th June.

I wondered if anyone had any advice or knows of any simple entry guides in to the world of yoga, meditation and diet. I don’t want this to be purely a physical experience, I want to adopt as many elements as possible.

So what should I do to prepare? What should I expect? Is there any essential reading? Can anyone explain the basic to me?

Any help, thoughts or good wishes gleefully accepted! :slight_smile:

NB

#2

Hey everyone,

There’s been plenty of posts since mine but no one has replied! :confused:

If there’s something wrong with my post can someone please let me know? Is this not the kind of forum for sharing advice etc? Is there somewhere more relevant for me to post such questions?

Many thanks,

NB

#3

So you guys are the quiet type, eh? :grin:

#4

Hi, I am probably the wrong person to answer this as I am also rather new to Yoga. Your question is immensely broad, as “Yoga” can be interpreted as anything from doing a few poses with your body to a whole system incorporating all aspects of life. My advice to you would be to try to assess as truthfully as you can where you are in life, physically, emotionally, spiritually. Then go to this Yoga, no specific preparations, no assumptions and just observe what it does to you. All little details relevant to whatever type of Yoga you will do ( like what to wear or rules in class ) is best explained at the studio by your teacher.
It might sound stupid but doing the Yoga will give you the answer for you. If you seek to adopt “many elements” as you say, then you will surely also find many elements.
To my way of thinking ( and as I explained I am the rookie of the rookies ) Yoga is as much or as little as the person doing it can harbour at that point in time. It is not a question of what you do with Yoga but what Yoga does with you.
Now I am sounding confusing, sorry :slight_smile: All I can say is : Do it, enjoy it and let it teach you. Best wishes !

#5

Based solely on your posts thus far I’d suggest a run at patience before beginning your practice:-)

You’ve actually already prepared for Yoga. You don’t really need additional animate things, books, DVDs, et al. You need focus only on the five requirements for a student of yoga;

Urge to grow
Willingness to change
Effort
Sound guidance
Patience

If you must have reading material there are certainly some sound books (and some less sound books). Reading the Bhagavad Gite is a beautiful start. Georg Feurstein has some wonderful books, and I have found Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health by BKS Iyengar to be a helpful resource for beginners. Remember that you are not looking for great books. You are looking for great books appropriate for a beginner.