Has anyone ever done yoga? I'm about to take lessons and need advice!?

Question

Well, I'm a very stressed out person soo I heard yoga is really good for calming you down, so I was wondering if anyone had any advice about how do to yoga, what kind of classes to take, what to wear, and what to expect!=/

Answer 1

To answer your questions...

How to do yoga:
Just follow the instructor, who will demonstrate the poses most of the time and if not look around at the regular students. Don't be too self-conscious even if you think you're not doing the poses correctly. Go with the flow, breathe and relax.

What kind of classes to take:
Hatha yoga is usually best for beginners because it is the most basic. I also recommend Iyengar yoga because this style uses props such as blocks, straps, chairs and bolsters to assist you, so that you get into a pose with more ease.

If you would like a more meditative and slow yoga style, try Integral yoga or Sivananda yoga.

Avoid physcially demanding styles such as Ashtanga or Power yoga because these styles require much flexibility and strength.

What to wear:
Wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in. T-shirts or tank tops with shorts or leggings are suggested. Baggy t-shirts or long baggy pants are not recommended. Bare feet are essential are on the yoga mat.

What to expect:
Depending on the type of yoga and teacher, you will most likely be doing poses in awkward positions that your body is not used to. You might find that your muscles are tight, but don't worry about it. With regular practice your body will become more flexible and open, and your mind will be more calm.

Some advice:
Yoga should be practiced on an empty stomach. Allow at least two hours after a meal. Otherwise you'll feel nauseous doing the poses with a full stomach.

Enjoy and namaste!

Answer 2

There are many different styles of yoga. Personally, the very meditative types of yoga really bore me. I found that the Bikram style of yoga was particularly suited to my personality and fitness goals. You do have to concentrate in order to hold the poses for as long as you do so it improves your mental activity. Because you're so invested in what you are doing in class you do have to let go of everything else that has been stressing you out throughout the day so it helps to relieve mental stress in that way as well. AND it's one hell of a physical workout so you get in shape, which makes you feel better about yourself and you rest much more peacefully because you have exerted yourself so much physically.

You can read more about it and find classes in your area at this webstie: http://www.bikramyoga.com

Basically, classes are 90 minutes long. You go through 26 poses (asanas) and you do each pose twice. The first time you hold the pose for 60 seconds and the second time you hold the pose for 30 seconds. It is performed in a VERY warm room which helps your body to be more flexible in order to prevent injury and also to allow your body to sweat out toxins-not sure if I believe that part but I do feel much better after taking a class. Since it's so warm in the room most people wear shorts and a tank top. Take a yoga mat, a large towel, a hand towel and a lot of water.

Namaste!

Answer 3

Does this remind you of how you felt when your parents had fights? I remember as a child when my parents had a blow out they would do the silent treatment thingy and it devastated me. Also, did someone forbid you to cry in the past? Been there, done that too? Ugh. Your husband sounds like the typical 'ignore it and it will go away' kind of guy. Grrrrrr! What he doesn't realize is that there is a huge flaw in that plan--he doesn't get to choose just what or whom goes away. Anyway, there's some bad training going on here. He's teaching you to shut up, sit, down and smile. And you're teaching him, okay. Even though you're anything but okay with it. Crying is fine, but there is a very great danger of making your husband feel like he can't make you happy. Men have a hard time with the thought of not being able to make their wife happy. It's a killer. Okay, let's problem solve. How do you feel about getting up out of bed, going into the living room, walking over to him, give him a kiss on the CHEEK on the way to the kitchen. Then go somewhere else in the house like you're understanding that he just wants his space and you're cool with it. Be prepared to rock his world. If this doesn't work, post again tomorrow and we'll try something else on him.

Answer 4

it is quite a stress reliever, but also very "passive" usually people with alot of stress are high strung and very active people, which i am and i found that i was bored with yoga, also i didnt get the results i wanted as far as toning my body. i joined a gym and found that i really like seeing the results toning my body while looking around (on the sly) to see how much weight i was pressing with my legs or arms as compared to the real buff guy or gal next to me. then i end my workout in the steamroom, then off to the jacuzzi and end up with a relaxing 20 minutes on a tanning bed. my work out takes approx 1 1/2 to 2 hours and i go home and sleep like a baby. plus at 49 years old I still wear a bikini AND look hot

Answer 5

I've never actually been to a yoga class, but my sister and I did Yoga at home, from a book. [Yoga for Dummies]
I can assure it is very relaxing, as for clothing, we preferred looser clothes,but some people that have good enough bodies to wear spandex... more power to them, I guess.
The first time you do it, it may seem sort of complicated, but once you get into the swing of it, it's very enjoyable.

Answer 6

Wear loose fitting clothes.

As for, "what to expect..." that all depends on:

WHAT TYPE OF YOGA!

The general process for Hatha yoga or Kundalini yoga is:
1. start with stretching routines,
2. practice postures (Kundalini includes some "energy flow"),
3. end with mediation.

Just saying "yoga" is as vague as saying "martial arts."

I practice Jnana Yoga...

There are also:
Bhakti,
Kundalini,
Hatha,
Raja,
Karma and
several sub-divisions.

I started with Hatha and Kundalini which are both subdivisions of Raja.

Answer 7

Yoga is extremely calming but u have to be ready to get back pains and etc. on the first day. after that it will be ok

Answer 8

I enjoy yoga-I used ot do it quite a bit.You will certainly get a lot out of it-just don't push yourself too far too soon!If a posture is too hard-don't force it;Good luck.

Answer 9

Bring very loose stretchy clothes . . .
The class will tell you what you need to know and mostly from your question we can tell you are overstressed.
Most of you breath poorly { too shallow , too rapid },
Yoga should help you learn to breath .

Answer 10

yoga is very relaxing...definitely wear something you can move around in but it should be comfortable too. i remember i felt awkward at first but i got my friend to go too and i got really into it fast. good luck :-)