Yoga Strength » Iyengar Yoga » New to Yoga
New to Yoga
Question:
Try the alt.yoga FAQ homepage! http://members.xoom.com/altyoga/ Hari Har Singh – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi I am new to yoga, I would like to take a class. Preferably one that does NOT involve me getting up before 5:00AM. Does anyone how I may find classes in my area? Thank you! Before you buy.
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Miiko, It would help more than little to know what city you are in or near; otherwise, you could start with the Yellow Pages, a search on the Net for Yoga classes in your area, maybe a visit to any herb or natural food stores, friends who have friends who do yoga…. Regards, Will – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi I am new to yoga, I would like to take a class. Preferably one that does NOT involve me getting up before 5:00AM. Does anyone how I may find classes in my area? Thank you! Before you buy.
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Hi I am new to yoga, I would like to take a class. Preferably one that does NOT involve me getting up before 5:00AM. Does anyone how I may find classes in my area? Thank you! Before you buy.
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Hi, I’m extremely new to yoga, have only ever tried it once and that was with one of those stupid videos, yoga and its way of live interest me very much and i wouldnt if you could give me advice on the best way of getting started?
By being less opinionated about things you know nothing about. In one sentence you have made numerous judgments about what yoga is. Grow up and start again. Wade
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Well, as per my other post I am no fan of Power Yoga. If all you want to do is exercise Power Yoga is fine. Kartik already mentioned Sivanada. Kriya Yoga by Paramahamsa Yogananda is good also. Another one Kundalini Yoga is not classical hatha yoga at all but is very effective. Below are some books and web pages. Iyengar is OK too as long as its not Power Yoga. Kartik doesn’t say so but on the free book download page is also a Sivananda Site Locator world wide – http://www.sivanandadlshq.org/branches/branches.htm Kundalini Yoga Worldwide Locator page – http://www.kundaliniyoga.org/USA I recommend The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga by Swami Vishnu Devananda – http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0517884313/ref=lib_dp_T… (Amazon.com 12.60$) Meditation and Mantras by Swami VishnuDevananda – http://www.sivananda.org/la/boutique/yogastore/books/mnm.htm (Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers) 9$ The Sivananda Companion to Yoga – http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0684870002/ref=lib_rd_ss_T FCV/102-8250478-8736105?v=glance&vi=reader&img=1 (Amazon.com 11.20$) Sivananda has 44 free books you can download at – http://www.sivanandadlshq.org/download/download.htm (Kartik is the authority on this) Sivanada Postures on the Web – http://www.sivananda.org/teachings/exercise.htm Postures on the Web and explanations – http://www2.gdi.net/~mjm/asana.html If you want scholarly historical perspective – try The Yoga Tradition by Georg Feuerstein – http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1890772186/qid=1041125115/ sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/102-1700452-1948925?v=glance&s=books&n=507846 686 pages for 20$!! illustrated notebook size pages. Georg is one of the best because his book is readable – scholars tend to use 50 dollar words ever other word and are fairly snotty in attitude but his book is hard to put down. Cheapest I ever saw it. I got mine for 50$. http://www.yrec.org/yogatimetable.html Georg Feuerstein web pages For beginning yoga I don’t recommend a lot of other things I have like Hindu mysticism/scholarly works and Sanskrit stuff but if you are interested let me know. I also have a concentration and meditation doc and a pranayama doc also. Sent about 15-20 out so far. Mike Dubbeld
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m extremely new to yoga, have only ever tried it once and that was with one of those stupid videos, yoga and its way of live interest me very much and i wouldnt if you could give me advice on the best way of getting started? Regards, Halle
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Hi, I’m extremely new to yoga, have only ever tried it once and that was with one of those stupid videos, yoga and its way of live interest me very much and i wouldnt if you could give me advice on the best way of getting started? Regards, Halle
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http://www.sivanandadlshq.org/download/download.htm Yoga in Daily Life This is a book with a message of hope, success in life, of peace, of bliss and of the secret of life itself. Formats: .pdf (361 k), .html (496 k) The Science of Pranayama Pranayama is an important limb in the Yoga of meditation. It is equally necessary for all in their daily life, for good health, success and prosperity in every walk of life. How it is so, is explained in these pages. Formats: .pdf (766 k), .html (905 k)* Practice of Karma Yoga How to spiritualize ones activities. The doctrine of Karma and Reincarnation is also covered. Formats: .pdf (473 k), .html (456 k) Practical Lessons In Yoga A practical but non-technical presentation of Yoga. Formats: .pdf (453 k), .html (627 k)
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m extremely new to yoga, have only ever tried it once and that was with one of those stupid videos, yoga and its way of live interest me very much and i wouldnt if you could give me advice on the best way of getting started? Regards, Halle
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– Dear Gil, I am also new to Yoga. I started a few months ago. I agree with the others in that you should start out by taking classes. You need to make sure you are practicing the postures correctly so as not to injure yourself. I found that the guided meditations with the instructor were helpful as well. One book which I found to be an excellent source of guidance has been Rachel Schaeffer’s "Yoga for your Spiritual Muscles". She makes yoga easily accessible to anyone. She is down to earth and easy to understand. I am now practicing yoga and meditation on my own twice daily and feel wonderful! Good luck. Ruth
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I am very interested in the practice of yoga. Would someone explain how one gets started… Do I purchase a book? Purchase a video? is there a Website that I can refer to for information? Thanks for any suggestions, Gil
I started with a hatha yoga class in college, then went to the library. I read about 40 books on several branches of yoga, then found a kundalini yoga teacher and developed my teaching ability. Now I’m mostly practicing bhakti yoga and studying Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada’s books. If you like to read, I would recommend a finding a good library. There are many branches of yoga, and each brings different experiences. A hatha class is a good way to start. It brings good results quickly, but it’s just the beginning. Additional reading will broaden your understanding. I would definitely recommend sampling books on bhakti, jnana, and karma yoga branches as well as hatha and raja yogas. Paul
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This all looks very New Agey. There is no sign here of any connection to Tradition, no parampara to guarantee authenticity of the teaching. in the relative universe nothing is absolute, thus — there is no absolute protection and and no absolute shielding.
An attitude typical of profane modern man, who does not acknowledge the all-important discernment between the Absolute and contingent that is essential to all revealed religions. In Chinese, this universal life force is called Ki, or Chi, hence, Tai-Chi.
This is erroneous Chinese. You have confused the word for ‘prana’, Ch`i (spelled Qi in Pinyin) with the word for ‘ultimate’, Chi (spelled Ji in Pinyin). They are two completely different words. T`ai Chi Ch`uan (in Pinyin: Tai Ji Quan) means literally "Great Ultimate Fist," the martial art whose metaphysical dimension is the Taoist harmony of Yin & Yang. "Esse qua esse bonum est (being, as being, is good)."–St. Augustine
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Gil, All of the above. How you start to practice yoga will depend on your inclination, and what is available to you. Ideally a beginners class is my suggestion. Try several teachers and you will find some that feel right for you. Welcome to yoga! peace, sandra
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Finding a teacher is the best bet. However I have found several books which also help. Try Richard Hittleman’s Yoga 28 Day Exercise Plan. I have found it very helpful with my introduction to yoga as it slowly introduces you to various poses and assists in building your flexibility. Lee – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am very interested in the practice of yoga. Would someone explain how one gets started… Do I purchase a book? Purchase a video? is there a Website that I can refer to for information? Thanks for any suggestions, Gil
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You must find a real Guru, a teacher! You cannot learn Yoga alone. The teacher is a must!!!!!!! Donald
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Hello fellow human being, I am very interested in the practice of yoga. Would someone explain how one gets started… Do I purchase a book? Purchase a video? is there a Website that I can refer to for information?
If you mean physical Yoga, or Asanas – sorry, I cannot assist you. Yet, if you are interested in meditation, here you are: At The Third Circle Web Site there is a free online meditations manual, containing all the information necessary in order to practice the meditations presented there. The Web Site have been updated recently and now it presents twelve very easy, yet, quite powerful meditation. Though the explanations and instructions given are quite clear and easy to follow, should any question arise concerning the practice of those meditations — I’m available to clarify and elaborate by email. The Third Circle Web Site is located at the following URL addresses: www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/5715/ (Main Site – USA) members.iol.co.il/weagle/ (Israeli Mirror) — Below is an excerpt from the introduction to the twelve meditations. Preface To Meditations In The Third Circle Twelve meditations, or signposts, or aids, or means, or exercises are presented below. They are: "Relaxation", "Praying / Asking", "Shielding", "Simple Breathing Exercise (Pranayama)", "Body-Feeling Meditation", "The Silence Meditation", "The Aum Mantra Meditation", "Healing The Inner Child", "Connecting Your Future Self", "Mother Earth Consciousness", "Mother Earth Meditation" and "Peace On Earth Meditation". These are very easy and simple, yet quite powerful meditations, or exercises, or means, or aids, or signposts to any spiritual quest and journey. These twelve meditations are included in The Third Circle (TTC), which is an opening to all-that-is and up to infinity, by self-work and out of Self-Source-of-Authority, in the quest of truth and reality, aiming at eliminating the human suffering. As simple as they are, each one of these twelve exercises may facilitate and aid progress at any spiritual stand, from the first steps of interest and curiosity about the spiritual, or an attraction to it, and up to achieving the ultimate, supreme, attainment — Self-realization, or enlightenment. All the meditations and exercises mentioned in this file may be practiced by self-work, that is — by following the instructions given here. All the necessary information needed to enable practicing these meditations and exercises is included in the given instructions — there is no need for any external teacher, or guide, in order to be able to practice these meditations. Nevertheless, I’m available to reply by email any question concerning the practice of these meditations that may arise. You may choose practicing, or trying, only one of them, all of them, or any combination — at your choice. As everything in The Third Circle (TTC), there are no set rules or dogmas here. Each and every one is welcomed to exercise one’s own Self-Source-Of-Authority (SSOA), choose for oneself and take responsibility for one’s choices and their consequences. TTC presents signposts, or recommendations. What to do and how exactly to do it — is ultimately up to each and every individual. — A Brief Introduction To The Twelve Meditations, Or Signposts: * Relaxation: A very basic and simple relaxation exercise, yet, quite an effective one. Good to be practiced whenever one may be tensed, and at the beginning of every meditation. — * Praying / asking: Experience shows praying or asking to be very useful and helpful. Believing in God or not, practicing a particular religion or not, doesn’t make much difference here. TTC is not a religion, not a part of any religion and it is not connected to any religion. Praying is very useful and helpful, regardless whether praying, or asking — God, or the universe — is done in a religious context or not. Here, in TTC, there is no religious context to praying; that is, praying doesn’t mean practicing a religion — not necessarily. What counts here is our attitude and behavior, not any dogma or set rules. Yet, it is the individual’s choice whether to pray in a religious context or not. In our experience, praying, or asking, is very useful, regardless to whether it’s being done in a religious context or not. TTC, in the context of prayer, have no recommendation pro or con any religion. One of the reasons that praying or asking is very helpful is that by praying or asking we direct our attention away from our small self, or ego, to a higher ideal. It serves us in widening our perspective, expanding our boundaries. Another reason for it being beneficial is that by praying or asking we direct our attention to the desired results and goals. Directing our attention serves the flow of energy to and from the desired result or attainment. This energy flow assists in the actual attainment of our goals. — * Shielding: It is an energetic and astral grounding and shielding. Good to be practiced in any case, especially when we may feel being attacked, or drained energetically. It is a suggested protection for meditations, aiding in blocking unwanted energies and entities from entering our meditations. Please bear in mind that in the relative universe nothing is absolute, thus — there is no absolute protection and and no absolute shielding. Ultimately, one’s free will and choices are the best possible protection — over time. Nevertheless, this shielding exercise is a recommended practice. Some choose to practice it as a part of their daily routine, some choose to practice it as the first stage of every meditation, some choose to practice it when feeling a need, and some choose not to practice it at all. It’s up to you. — * Simple Breathing Exercise (Pranayama): Prana is the Sanskrit word for the universal life force — the force that sustains life in all living creatures. In Chinese, this universal life force is called Ki, or Chi, hence, Tai-Chi. Pranayama – Yogi breathing exercises – is one of the eight limbs of Yoga – for the value and benefit of Pranayama is paramount. It is extremely relaxing, invigorating — it purifies the body, mind, soul and spirit. This Simple Breathing Exercise (Pranayama) is indeed very simple and easy to practice, yet, it is highly valuable. This simple Pranayama may be practiced by itself and it may serve as an excellent preamble to any meditation and spiritual exercise. — * Body-Feeling Meditation: At times, if you may feel very tired, moody, tensed, agitated, low energies, irritated, impatient, drained out, spaced out, disconnected, the mind is not very clear, etc — it is recommended to elevate your feeling, mood or energies with the Body-Feeling Meditation. This meditation is very effective in releasing stress and strain from our nervous system and physical body. By releasing stress and strain from the physical body and nervous system, simultaneously we are releasing mental, psychological and spiritual stress and blocks, opening our energy channels to a better flow, enabling a clearer mind and consciousness. Another benefit of this meditation is increasing our awareness to our body. This meditation can be practiced, upon getting acquainted with it, anytime anyplace, while walking, talking, driving etc. — * The Silence Meditation: The Silence Meditation, along The Aum Mantra Meditation, are the Jewel-Crest of all spiritual practices. Specifying all their benefits will take many pages. In brief: they are the most effective and direct means to connect the unbounded ocean of truth and wisdom lying inside the silent chambers of our hearts. They are great aids in connecting our Higher Self and, ultimately, our Supreme Self. This meditation is relaxing and have numerous beneficial effects on our body and mind, health, consciousness, clarity of thinking, energy level, developing our intuition, widening our perspective and expanding our boundaries. The Silence Meditation may serve as a springboard to all other spiritual practices and exercises. It is very natural, very easy to practice. It is devoid of any connection to any teaching, tradition, dogma or religion. TTC is an opening, not a teaching. Connecting the ocean of silence inside gives momentum to all our actions, facilitates and speeds up attaining all goals. Ultimately, The Silence Meditation is a great aid in attaining Self-realization, or enlightenment — upon aspiring this supreme attainment. — * The Aum Mantra Meditation: The Aum Mantra Meditation, along The Silence Meditation, are the Jewel-Crest of all spiritual practices. Specifying all their benefits will take many pages. In brief: they are the most effective and direct means to connect the unbounded ocean of truth and wisdom lying inside the silent chambers of our hearts. They are great aids in connecting our Higher Self and, ultimately, our Supreme Self. This meditation is relaxing and have numerous beneficial effects on our body and mind, health, consciousness, clarity of thinking, energy level, developing our intuition, widening our perspective and expanding our boundaries. The Aum Mantra Meditation may serve as a springboard to all other spiritual practices and exercises. It is very natural, very easy to practice. It is not conflicting with any teaching, tradition, dogma or religion. Connecting the Supreme Self, or the ocean of inner silence, gives momentum to all our actions, facilitates and speeds up attaining all goals. Ultimately, The Aum Mantra Meditation is a great aid in
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I am very interested in the practice of yoga. Would someone explain how one gets started… Do I purchase a book? Purchase a video? is there a Website that I can refer to for information? Thanks for any suggestions, Gil
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I’m wondering if anyone knows good websites for beginners in Yoga.
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I’m wondering if anyone knows good websites for beginners in Yoga.
<http://mitglied.lycos.de/altyoga/ <http://www2.gdi.net/~mjm/ <http://www.iyengar-yoga.com/ <http://www.evonline.net/ — ~Stu
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Hi hank, I recon this is a useful site, fairly comprehensive. http://www.yrec.org/publications.html I haven’t actually used it much myself, for research or education or whatever, but then again after a whole days work,dinner and a couple of hours doing asanas and general stretching and breathing to feel human again. I have about enough time left to do something other than think, or study, in the hope that it will one day make me realise what it is to be content and happy by living as a part of nature or something. Hey good luck with enjoying yoga, I wish i could do yoga all the time and not have to rush around like an idiot in this world thinking that somehow my practice and peace of mind will just happen for me or that i have something to gain.. Namaste, Om Shanti, Sri maha Shakti namah, Sat Nam! Cheers-Justin
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m wondering if anyone knows good websites for beginners in Yoga.