How Does One Go About Picking A Type Of Yoga And Getting Started?
- Image by myyogaonline via Flickr
With the growing interest in healthy lifestyles, more Americans are looking for ways to achieve balance—and stay fit. Practicing yoga is an excellent way to do both of those things, but with so many disciplines to choose from it’s important to pick the one that’s right for you. Tell us how you discovered your perfect yoga style, and why you chose it.
June 14th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I started by researching yoga styles online and decided to start with absolute beginners DVDs that are designed to introduce people to the basics, such as yoga history, proper breathing, and basic techniques. I did this just as a sample to see what classes I might want to take, as actual instruction by a qualified teacher is really valuable, especially in making sure that you have proper form and guidance from someone that can observe you.
I really like Kundalini yoga because it strengthens my spine and really energizes me. The first time I tried spinal exercises in this style, I noticed a big difference. I didn’t even realize how much pressure and tension there was in my back until it was gone!
Internet research, DVDS and books can be a great supplement to yoga classes. Although one should use careful judgment with things found online, the internet is an excellent source for finding yoga texts and info.
June 14th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Know your physical ability i.e. I have a back problem so I stick with yoga that includes stretching, relaxation and just a little Pilates.
June 14th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Start with a level one class. Or many yoga studios offer a yoga orientation class to get you familiar with the poses so you are not lost in your first class. Many of these poses are used in all types of yoga, with only slight variances in the position of your body. You then just need to decide what you want to get out of it…detoxification, exercise, meditation or to gain flexibility. Ashtanga is the most popular in my area. It builds heat, then stretches you out, and finishes with some great meditation.
June 14th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Yoga (Meaning is manners in sanskrit, one of world’s oldest language) can be practised mentally or exercised physically. There are atleast 20 types in each. yoga has to reach us through proper GURU(mentor).
If u want to keep fit, u can select simple yoga type like sahaja yoga, ravishankar’s yoga(www.artofliving.org), ishayoga.
these are considered very best and easy to practise.
June 14th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
personally I fashion my own style, based in what works for me and what don’t. read a couple books about it when I was a kid and develop certain sensitivity for what is good for my body and what may not.be
June 15th, 2009 at 1:17 am
For many years, I was interested in taking up yoga, finding the discipline both mentally and physically challenging. I had met many older individuals who looked, felt, and were in top shape due to their practice of yoga. I thought it was the right way for me to go in order to achieve an overall well-being. I had tried many sorts of yoga but could not get myself to commit. First, I was never flexible and was easily discouraged in class. Second, I like more of a dynamic type of exercise and some yogas were simply too meditating for my taste. One day, my friend told me: I m going to take you to my class. 1 hour 1/2 of Bikram Yoga. Prior class, she explained to me the basics behind its philosophy. A continually dynamic yoga practice with short pauses in between 26 (or so) pauses. One hour standing the other 1/2 laying on the mat. The difference with bikram is the heat. The room is kept hot and very humide. Also, benefits are among others: flexibility, cleansing, deep relaxation after the class (we can lay as long as we wish or until the next class starts up), breathing discipline, …. There are pros and cons against bikram yoga. The key is to pace yourself and most importantly to drink lots and lots of water, before, during and after. I was addicted right there. My friend and I started to practice almost every day.
June 15th, 2009 at 5:32 am
i was drawn to anusara yoga…founded by John Friend based on what he learned in the Iyengar methods…..
flowing with grace….. and not just physically…but mentally/emotionally too…..
you can do a search for teachers near you on the ansura.com website
June 15th, 2009 at 5:56 am
i do not know what you ask but ask your parent
June 15th, 2009 at 10:48 am
During my studies at the local university, I took a class as part of my major in Kinesiology that consisted of a daily routine of applying stretching exercise for 20 minutes. I work on my legs, arms, abdominal areas, upper torso, etc. I have been using this stretching exercise, and have added 20 minutes of walking, to maintain my healthy lifestyle. I maintain a 2,000 caloric intake, drink lots of water, and keep a positive outlook about life in general.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I joined the Minnesota ensemble theater and learend yoga and meditational excersizes. I think the key to learning was having an instructor who uses a very monotoned voice,,a voice that wont cause any distraction to you. Learning yoga is the greatest thing of all,,,for one will learn to ‘beam’ oxegen to any part of his/her body for quick rejuvination and relaxation.
Another benefit of yoga is you’ll be able produce ‘power’ and stamina beyond belief and you’ll be under a transendental ‘state’ while preforming these feats.
Anyone who wants to learn yoga and medational arts, I would encourage to read ‘THe way of the Peaceful Warrior’,,,by Dan Milman. This will give you an understanding of the artform of meditation and how to use your untapped powers within yourself. Good luck in you endeavor,,,and breath deep,,,feel your body wonderful!
June 15th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Yoga is a form of exercises which is being practiced in India since ancient times.It gives physical as well as mental health. Unlike gym exercises which are used to get muscles yogasanas are for strength rather than muscle build up.
Iyengar yoga is what I’m learning in which it is told to get mastery over yogasanas 1st and then start with pranayama which are breathing exercises.
If yogasanas are started in young age they are quite easy as the body is very flexible. in middle age and after that it is difficult but not impossible to achieve exact pose if you continue doing it.
If you are healthy , without any disease, you can do all the asanas.but if anybody has hypertension, any orthopedic problem, some asanas are best avoided till the disease is in control.and still it is possible to do some asanas with proper modifications. that is why role of yoga teacher is very important to avoid any injury or worsening of any prior condition.
Now just for information, i know 2 persons who were suffering from slipped disc problems even after surgery ,who are now free from any pain after doing correct yoga under expert guidance.
Scientifically it is proved that yoga is good for mental well being.
June 15th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Kundalini Yoga. I picked it because it’s emphasis of preparation for spiritual growth. It’s also less emphasis on Postures as compared to other yoga branches. However, just to warn the beginners, Kundalini Yoga is not as easy as it looks. It can be a challenge for people who has been practicing other yoga when they are new to it.
June 15th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
you don’t you just find it
June 16th, 2009 at 1:57 am
I can’t quite remember exactly when I found a little “how-to” book describing a few poses and breathings .. but I tried it all by myself for a few weeks, just a few minutes a day.
Oddly enough, I felt better.
then I more or less forgot about it for 35 years.
This New Years resolution didn’t make one .. a month or two later decided to try doing a few postures upon waking, before going to work.
(not NEAR as flexible as I was way back then)
but slowly, I’m gaining a bit of flexibility … and noticing that mental calm comes as well … cool
age happens, but yoga allows an easier life.
no big waves
June 16th, 2009 at 8:33 am
raghavendra put the best link in his answer. http://www.divyayoga.com/
Swami Ramdev is the great yoga teacher. try to find yoga cds, you can tune the Aastha International T.V.channel also for regular yoga study.
check this link also..
http://www.solarhealing.com
June 16th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Yoga, as well as any other type of “oriental practices”, opens doors for the demonic to come in and start a process of destruction in one’s life. Depression, suicide impulse, mental illness, alcohol and/or drug dependency and the like, seems to be dominant in the lives of the yoga practitioners.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I think it is a toss-up between Yoplait and Dannon. It really depends on my mood. When I am at home, I love Dannon plain yoga mixed with fresh fruit, like peaches, blueberries or pineapple. When I feel like I have eaten too many calories and want a light snack, the Yoplait light yogas are very good for diet yoga. However, when I want something that is really, really yummy, nothing beats either of those brands in their regular, flavored variety.
I especially love Yoplait regular cherry yoga. Yummy!
June 16th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
First of all I would check all of the places that offer yoga classes. I would check there backgrounds to make sure that they are a legitimate yoga fitness place. What the cost is, how many times a week I need to attend. If they Check out to be true yoga fitness place I would join and get started.
June 16th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Take a class near you, so you have no excuse to quit.
As you become more and more interested you will follow your own path.
It has ZERO to do with Christianity-pro or con.
Some Christians can’t read anything but the Bible-or think about anything but being in love with Jesus. That is their own closed minds, not the message of a loving god. The terror of a fanatic, that everything has to fit in one little box.
Yoga can be a spiritual path if you chose to pursue it or good exercise- you get to pick.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Just reach for what is right for you. Search…and you will find…
June 16th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
you have to choose based on the way your body is
June 17th, 2009 at 1:39 am
I’m 50 yrs old. I have done a lot of reading, in all forms of text, for various yoga. However, the most convienant way for me over the years [before internet] was the magazine articles from a variety of magazines. Being an avid reader helps.
June 17th, 2009 at 3:20 am
I can’t believe some of the religiously charged answers on here. Yoga opens your mind up to SPIRITS? Give me a break, people… If yoga opens our minds to spirits and evils, so does thinking, and so does existing… I burst out laughing when I read those comments, they’re so ridiculous.
Yoga is very relaxing and great for the body and mind, as it is very relaxing and calming. Find a class near you- try some of the free ones offered and see if they are for you. Window shop! Try them all!
June 17th, 2009 at 9:36 am
uiyui
June 17th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
yoga is so fun. try diffrent classes till you find a teacher a nd a class that you enjoy……………..
it is healthy fun and sooo good for you and it makes you feel wonderful……………. try it ! you will like it!!!
June 17th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
I went to the library and picked several good books on the subject; took them home & tried each one for a few days. I ended up picking Hatha Yoga because it just works for me. The poses are mostly easy, and they address the issues I have with strength, energy & digestion.
June 17th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
I would go with Yoplat…can’t beat the most popular brand of yogurt
June 17th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Yoga is as old as Indian/Hindu civilization is.
Original Yoga and its philosophy was developed by Patanjali and yoga literature is called Patanjali Yoga Sutra.
So ideally one should follow what is taught in these Sutras.
But it is so vast and common man can not understand Sanskrit the language it is. SO wise Gurus learnt all what is in these Sutras and gave us in English or Hindi what they think it means.
There are umber of books and literature on the subject and depth of each book varies- some are superficial and talk only aboutYoga Asanas for different levels- from children/beiggners to advance stage. Yoga Gura Iyengar is known for his in depth study and his books are like treatise as it coveres all aspects of Yoga.
There are many more -some are shown on TV daily so it is free and that we can say is good for mases awareness and motivate people and then once interested, people can join some classes under guidance of some teacher/institute.
Then there are highly commercialised and charge high fees-both in India and West and as regards money which they claim they are using for charity ( from life style of those propogating thier brand, we have doubts about this). It is targeted towards rich and famous and film stars who can afford to pay fees for such highly secretive and branded (?) courses. But the source of allinformation is Patanjali Yoga Sutras andwonder how it can be patented? Never the less is is good service for those who do not have access to Yoga in normal courses.
Then there are real con men in west using it as purely money making business.
The latest news that in US some one is trying to Paten Yoga has the following response from one of of the Yoga Gura Ramdev, who is doing a good job by teaching Yoga free thru mass media as well as running camps in different cities, unlike those who have commercialized even in India by sugar coating the existing knowledge with some brand name and selling at unaffordable prices to masses. The response by Ramdev as per press is as follows which explains what I tried to outline above:
Yoga should not be patented: Ramdev
16 May, 2007 l 1119 hrs ISTlIANS
SHIMLA: Stressing that yoga was a centuries-old Indian tradition, popular yoga guru Swami Ramdev urged the government and yoga organisations to prevent it from being patented overseas.
“Since there are attempts to patent this tradition (of yoga) in America, the Indian government and yoga organisations should take measures to prevent it,” Ramdev said.
“Yoga cannot be patented as it belongs to the entire country and humanity. Also yoga cannot be run like a company,” he said late Tuesday.
“I do not wish to name any individual, but how can yoga be taught at a controlled 45 degrees centigrade temperature when it is ideally taught in the cold Himalayas,” Ramdev said, referring to Indian-born Bikram Choudhary’s method of teaching yoga. Choudhary teaches this technique in California and has even reportedly patented this method of yoga recently.
Ramdev also criticised the Indian health ministry for “turning into an allopathy ministry by promoting only allopathy and neglecting ayurveda”.
“The health ministry must sort its own health first and stop sending regular notices to me,” he said.
“Around 10 per cent of the population of India is suffering from diabetes. Yoga and ayurveda are one of the most effective ways to cure this deadly disease.”
“We have carried out studies at our centre by treating patients suffering from many kinds of cancer through yoga and ayurveda. A book is being brought out by Patanjali Yogapeet shortly as a documentary proof,” he claimed.
No matter what is claimed by X, Y or Z Yoga teacher, the Patent for Yoga should only be given in the name of Patanjali and not any new outfit who no doubt may be doing good job but if given to one entity, others will also claim for the same and this will never end.
So every one for his affordability and access will choose what is best for them.
But the mission of Yoga should be for good health of all as oroginally spelled out by Paranjali and only in his name Indian Govt should patent all yoga knowledge and no one else. No one can be rightful claiment for its patent since all have copied from the original knowledge. Also those who have patented this knowledge by copying and branding a type of pranayam or what ever, should be revoked and taken away from them. Also if some one calls his yoga as XYZ XYZ Yoga or Sir SirYoga, it should not be permitted ssince it is not thier invention, only they are imparting Patanjali’s great work but now they want to make money. Indian govt is not proactive and like this Indian Heritage will loose all its knoledge to greedy westerners or even Indian Living abroad but creaming Indian communes.
To start Yoga, best is get interested in it and either join a class or if not accessible, buy a book and get started with simple exercises and slowly increase to more advances Asanas. Lter study the full meaning of Yoga- because it is life style and not merely physical Asanas.
Many web sites are listed and one can study more on the subject.
But I give below about meditation which is interesting:
Find a quiet, comfortable place where you can sit, preferably with
back support. We want to remove unnecessary distractions. Just sit
and relax somewhere where you can close your eyes for twenty minutes
without interruptions.
Once you have gotten comfortable, slowly close your eyes. You will
notice thoughts, streams of thoughts. That is fine. Just observe them
without minding them. After about a minute, gently introduce the
thought …I AM… and begin to repeat it easily and effortlessly in your
mind. If your mind wanders off into other thoughts, you will
eventually realize this has happened. Don’t be concerned about it. It
is natural. When you realize you are not repeating the mantra, gently
go back to it. This is all you have to do. Easily repeat the mantra
silently inside. When you realize you are not thinking it, then
easily come back to it. The goal is not to stay on it. The goal is to
follow the simple procedure of thinking the mantra, losing it, and
coming back to it when you find you have lost it. Do not resist if
the mantra tends to become less distinct. Thinking the mantra does
not have to be with clear pronunciation. I AM can be experienced at
many levels in your mind and nervous system. When you come back to
it, come back to a level that is comfortable, not straining for
either a clear or fuzzy pronunciation.
Do this procedure for twenty minutes, and, then, with your eyes
closed, take a few minutes to rest before you get up.
This practice is to be done twice each day, before you start your day
and before you begin your evening activities. It is best done before
meals, as digestion can interfere with the process of meditation.
Make a commitment to yourself to do it for a few months. Give it some
time to work. You will be amazed at the results, and then you will
want to keep going forward to more and more.
If any one can give more input on subject under discussion, it will be appreciated
regards
June 17th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
skip the rest.
enjoy the best
-child pose
June 17th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Well: it’s an good idea that ” Yoga Meditation helps you in
beginners Fitness yes very important Program by doing
simple Calasedics first “
June 18th, 2009 at 1:34 am
First of all let us define yoga. Yoga is meditation. Meditation is thinking. Now my question is what would they like to think? Thinking of nothing is thinking. Someone answered that you should be careful. That person, I tell you now, is ignorant and deluded. That person thinks of bad things. Now, what could be bad with yoga if you are just doing it alone? You are not hurting anyone nor yourself.
Let us drop the craps about yoga. You don’t have to join a group and pay. Yoga is free!!!!
First of all, why practice yoga? What is that person running away from? It seems that they are sick and tired of what they are doing everyday with their lives. Hahahahaha, are you looking for a reason? Entertaining those thoughts again?
This is a free improper yoga.
The improper yoga will train you of not to think at all. For 30 minutes a day, just be in a quiet place and don’t hold to a single thought. Example, you have a friend named Raul. The thought of the name Raul crossed your mind. You will know if you hold on to that when you start thinking about Raul. A lot of thoughts will follow. Like where is he, what is he doing now? how is he? etc…….. Now, what I want you to do is drop the thought. Don’t hold on to the thought. Don’t entertain the thought/s.
1. Find a place where you can be at peace or have peace.
2. Be comfortable in the position (whatever position you want – you can lay down or seat, whatever…..)
3. Close your eyes.
4. Don’t hold to a single thought. Be in silent.
5. Do it 30 minutes a day; don’t exceed the time limit. Doing this is equivalent to 2 hours of sleep. You feel relaxed and will notice the change in you. This will happen after 2 weeks or a months time.
Hahahaha, whatever you will feel with your body, just ignore it. Example you will think that you are floating or something is walking through your skin, etc – ignore it, that is not true.
For now, just do it. When you have mastered this meditation, you will know! Who have mastered this meditation? Hmmmmmm, I wonder?
LISTEN UP PEOPLE, THERE IS NO POWER IN YOGA. THERE IS ONLY DISCIPLINE. YOU WILL NOT GAIN NOR LOSE ANYTHING.