Looking into yoga

[elmer92413]

Where should I start? Any good resources on the net? Do I need to go to a class/gym? Any suggestions really would be helpful.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: elmer92413
Where should I start? Any good resources on the net? Do I need to go to a class/gym? Any suggestions really would be helpful.

You don't really need to go to a gym, but you will learn the techniques there a bit better than if you did them on your own. It's usually an environment thing. You're supposed to control your breathing and such and many of the gyms create a sort of relaxing environment for that. Plus, it's a chance to go out and meet some new people. If you're not super tight on money, why not go out and do it?

 

[Redfraggle]

Depends on you really. There's tons of good ones on the internet, but you'd have to be willing to spend some time looking up poses for the audio only ones. If you have cable, exercise TV has an on-demand station for free (at least it is in my area) that has some good workouts that kick my ass (and I workout a good bit). There are good beginner ones on there as well. Through various other things I've done, I already have a good feel for how I am controlling my breathing, and that is key in yoga. So many of the moves are easier when you are breathing properly, even if they are balancy.

In short, try it at home to see if you like it, but also go out and learn from somebody.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: elmer92413
Where should I start? Any good resources on the net? Do I need to go to a class/gym? Any suggestions really would be helpful.

You don't really need to go to a gym, but you will learn the techniques there a bit better than if you did them on your own. It's usually an environment thing. You're supposed to control your breathing and such and many of the gyms create a sort of relaxing environment for that. Plus, it's a chance to go out and meet some new people. If you're not super tight on money, why not go out and do it?

Agreed. If you're already a member of a gym, why not try it? Some yoga studios will have a free session or two to see if you like it/want to join up.

I could never get into the whole DVD yoga crap...it just wasn't the same. Yoga surprisingly enough is a lot harder than most people make it out to be, as is pilates.

 

[zebano]

Good luck, I tried both from a book and some online videos a bit last year and I don't think I ever got the hang of it. I would suggest doing a few classes to get the basics and then decide. Everything I've heard about yoga is good, just don't plan on doing other exercises immediately afterwords.

 

[Redfraggle]

I find a good yoga session as relaxing as a good massage for the record. I'm so mellow after. I think it's probably strongly related to the breathing and stretching, but I am also energized. It's a funny feeling sometimes really.

 

[StageLeft]

6am EST, Oxygen channel, watch Inhale tomorrow morning.

 

[EvilYoda]

Most studios will have an introductory plan of some sort...the ones around here have $30 for 30 days, stuff like that. Take advantage of that, yoga is great. I started doing Bikram in December and I try to go once a week now and I love it. The flexibility is great and it honestly "cured" a few aches I had in my body within the first 2 weeks. It's even helped with a few aspects of crossfit, like doing pistols yesterday - tree pose and other various one legged poses gave me an advantage over other seasoned CFers, so that was cool to see.

 

[wwswimming]

Originally posted by: elmer92413
Where should I start? Any good resources on the net? Do I need to go to a class/gym? Any suggestions really would be helpful.

i think the main thing is to be around other people who are into stretching.

i was introduced to stretching, in the form of Ukemi ("falling skills"), in Aikido.

then, stretching for dance.

then, in 1996, stretching labelled as yoga. a lot of the stretches are similar.

i've done varieties of Hatha yoga ('normal' hatha, Bikram hatha, and Ashtanga yoga). personally, i prefer Ashtanga, but you can hurt yourself doing some of the postures. you need to pay attention to the feedback you're getting from your body. (i dislocated my knee doing a posture called 'Hanumasana' - full splits, forward-backward, in about 2002).

i think it helps to do yoga with a group to start out with, then you will naturally start doing it on your own. sure you can start doing it on your own - but i've never met anybody who has developed a vigorous yoga practice going solo (well, i guess that's logical - how would i meet meet them if they were doing it solo ?)

if you do join a gym, DO NOT give them access to your bank account via automatic withdrawal. i had Club One try to steal about $400 from my bank account. when i talked to the bank about it, they said a lot of people had reported similar complaints, not just with Club One.

as far as Bikram style, one of the 2 instructors i learned from taught Bikram style. at first the heat was bear-able (maybe 95 degrees F), but then he began cranking it up. last time i took one of his classes, the room was 120+ (comparing it to a hot tube at 105 and a sauna at 190 F). i left the room after a half hour and followed along in the hallway.

Bikram is too much like "enlightenment through heat prostration". admittedly, some people thrive on it.

if you try Bikram, i suggest preparing yourself to leave the room halfway through the class, no matter what the instructor says. and, if you start feeling any dizziness, to leave the hot room immediately - if you stay, you have a good chance of giving yourself a whopper case of heat prostration.

also bringing along 2 bottles of water, some to drink and some to pour over your head to help you not get overheated.

so, if you sign up for Bikram style, just start out by paying for one class or maybe a "$29 one month intro".

 

[EvilYoda]

Oh, you'll be fine. My classes are usually around 103-108 degrees though, 120 is not within the recommended Bikram practices. I was able to acclimate to the heat pretty quickly and I find it a great 90 minutes spent. Just be aware of what your body is telling you...start out slowly and don't go balls-to-the-wall on every posture. If you feel like you need a rest, lay down or sit down, people do it all the time.

But if you've never done anything of the sort before, maybe you should start out with regular yoga to get your body acclimated.