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Yoga

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Beginner recommendations please

25 replies

Wanttotry2017 · 07/08/2017 12:18

Hello I'm new to yoga and really want to enjoy it!! I want to do it for my mental health as well as to tone my body. (Do you think I might be better off doing Pilates instead? )

I know very little about yoga and all the choices overwhelm me. I'd really like to go to a class rather than do online. What type would you recommend? I thought maybe hatha or vinyasa?

Also could someone recommend a class or a teacher? When I've done it in the past - very infrequently! - I just haven't "got it" and so I've never gone back. But I think with maybe a god recommendation I'd be more likely to give it a go and stick with it. I'm in London and could do somewhere around camden area or Clapham/Vauxhall? Or central London ?

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SuziePink · 07/08/2017 12:36

Yoga will be good for your mental health and for toning your body. The most important thing is to find a teacher you like. Online yoga is a waste of time, don't bother. Teachers don't train for years for nothing! The best teachers I have had have all been from the British Wheel of Yoga. There are teacher and class listings there. I would avoid the large studios like triyoga as they can be a bit intimidating.

Technically, all physical yoga involving asanas is hatha yoga. Vinyasa is an enjoyable flowing style but you may not get all the adjustments and attention you need as a beginner.

Would you prefer a style that's slow and deep or something that makes you sweat?

Wanttotry2017 · 07/08/2017 12:40

Thank you suzie! That's really helpful! I think I would much prefer slow and deep. I really want to feel relaxed and calm and at peace with myself which I'm hoping yoga will bring.

Will the physical benefits not be as much with slow and deep compared to if I sweat? (Sorry if that's a silly question)

OP posts:
Wanttotry2017 · 07/08/2017 20:26

Bump

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Bobbiepin · 07/08/2017 20:32

The physical benefits of yoga will be more lile posture and flexibility. I don't know anyone that has lost considerable amounts of weight doing yoga alone. However, the mental benefits are amazing. Personally I think vinyasa yoga is better, I like the challenge it provides but the breathing exercises that go along with it relax you without you really being aware. All classes end in corpse pose which is that final moment to be in touch with your breath and relax.

I've tried some classes that are more focussed on the other parts of yoga like chanting and breath control and that wasn't for me. I would recommend finding a couple of different classes that are different, you'll be very welcome for a taster session, some may be free. Find one you like and go from there!

tomatoplantproject · 07/08/2017 20:52

I would start by finding a hatha class you like so that you can learn the various poses, and then once you kind of know what you're doing then explore other types of yoga. I got utterly confused when I went to a vinyasa class early on, and really enjoy it now I'm up the learning curve.

Personally I do a mix of classes - hatha, vinyasa and yin - and get different things out of each of them. I get really agitated if I haven't been for a few days.

The main thing is to find a class and teacher that you like.

The first few classes I didn't get too many adjustments - kind of listened to the teachers and worked out what to do. Once I was a bit more committed then teachers would do the physical adjustments and/or give me a specific instruction.

Good luck!

SuziePink · 08/08/2017 10:39

Physical benefits of slow and deep will be slightly different to faster styles like vinyasa in that your heart rate won't be as high but you'll become more flexible and if you're doing say a strong but slow hatha class then you'll find your muscles do start burning at times!

Slow styles that might be interesting (not a comprehensive list!):

Yin- this is all sitting and lying down and great if you have injuries. Props are used so postures can be held for 1-5 minutes. The idea is that muscles start relaxing and stretching after 30 seconds or so, ligaments and tendons take 2-3 minutes so these tissues get stretched and become more flexible although this takes a few months to achieve. Restorative yoga is very similar.

Scaravelli- a very precise form of yoga from the sadly now deceased Vanda Scaravelli (have a look at some of the stuff she was still doing at 80+!). She adapted classical postures to focus more on alignment and using very specific muscles while relaxing others. It takes a fair amount of concentration so is really good for destressing as you'll be mostly thinking how on earth do I relax my bum... Classes tend to build up to a peak posture.

Strong and slow hatha- this is more about finding a teacher who covers the classical postures but perhaps builds up to a peak posture or holds postures for a while and works very precisely rather than rushing through them (as I have found a lot of teachers do). Be prepared for muscles to burn in standing postures but you will definitely build strength.

Kundalini- not a style I know much about but the focus seems to be on breathing rather than postures. It doesn't seem to go through the classical poses like other styles.

Sivananda- slow practice with only a few postures compared to other styles.

I practice Ashtanga the most regularly and find it very meditative but it is a faster, more sweaty form of yoga and I only started after several years of hatha. You might find as you get more used to the postures that you want a different style of practice, that's totally normal and most people I know have been through several styles on the way to their current preferred option. It's important to like your teacher and class but not be too beholden to them and be prepared to move on at some point in time. A good teacher will not mind at all. Be sceptical of classes where the teacher is up at the front demonstrating the entire time rather than coming round to check the students and making adjustments, I've been to too many classes where I look round and see people doing terrible things where they might injure themselves and the teacher doesn't notice.

LaurieFairyCake · 08/08/2017 10:44

My nearest class is a 'Well Woman' yoga class - hoping it's not just for those trying to get pregnant as the description of well woman yoga on another site references hormones and women who want to nurture themselves Confused

I'm peri menopausal and really want to go. If I put beginners into the search the nearest class is too far from me.

Does anyone know anything about 'well woman' yoga?

Wanttotry2017 · 08/08/2017 11:20

Thank you everyone! That's really helpful! How many times would you recommend going a week?

I'm guessing once is probably not enough, but maybe twice or would it need to be 3 times or more?

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SuziePink · 08/08/2017 11:45

I would start at once a week and then build up. You might be achy at first! As you get used to it then it's good to practice 2 to 3 times a week in a class with maybe doing some stretching or breathing practices at home once you feel confident. Same with meditation if you want to start that too.

LaurieFairyCake Well Woman yoga... best to contact the teacher to see what it's about as it probably is aimed at women's fertility. There are class listings on Yogahub as well as the BWY website. Are there any leaflets up at your local library or anything like that?

peppykoala · 08/08/2017 22:27

I'd definitely start with a beginners course - everyone starting at the same place, you learn how to do poses safely/in ways that work for your body and hopefully get an idea of what different styles are like so you can find one that works for you. Or if you don't want to commit to that get an unlimited month thing and try a few styles - but probably start with Hatha or one of the styles Suzie mentioned above as I'm totally with the PP who mentioned being confused in a vinyasa class when everyone else knows the sequence! Beginners courses at Triyoga (Camden, Chelsea, Soho) are really great - not sure if Leela Miller still does the courses but hers was so good I did it twice! Once you're into it you'll know how many times a week works for you - for me it's 3 classes - a mix of Ashtanga and Yin. Oh and most important thing is don't stop if you don't like a class - so much of it is finding a teacher whose style you like so keep trying til you do!

tomatoplantproject · 09/08/2017 07:50

One beginners class I tried put me off completely - she spent the whole lesson getting us to plant our toes correctly. I would probably love that now, but at the time it wasn't right for me and so I gave up.

For me, I was better off starting in a general class and just giving it a go (and being inspired by everyone else) before starting to focus on getting each asana as correct as possible.

LaurieFairyCake · 09/08/2017 08:51

Thanks Suzie Smile

ohbigdaddio · 09/08/2017 10:01

Hi Laurie I've just signed up for a 15 day trial at my local yoga studio. I'm a beginner and I've been several times already. It's great as they do lots of different styles of yoga so I'm getting a taster of it all. Did Vinyasa this morning and found it fairly tough and sweaty! Yin was lovely, enjoyed holding the poses and found it a bit more relaxing! Could you do a trial somewhere to get a feel? My classes are graded into beginners, level 2 and level 3 so l'm making sure I avoid the advanced classes! 😊

Wanttotry2017 · 09/08/2017 14:29

This is all really helpful and so interesting! I've never heard of yin but it sounds like something I'd love!

I've got my first class tomorrow which is just a class I've found off the BWY and doesn't seem linked to a gym or studio.

I'm currently not a member of a gym so I'm debating whether I should sign up to one or to something like triyoga so I could get a taste of a few different ones. But I don't know I'm always sceptical of places like triyoga and gyms and feel like they might not be right for me.

I'm excited about tomorrow though. I hope I enjoy it!

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Wanttotry2017 · 10/08/2017 14:44

Silly question but what should you wear for yoga? Do you need to wear a sports bra? Confused

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SuziePink · 10/08/2017 15:40

I usually wear stuff I'd go to the gym or for a run in, mostly because it's stretchy and wicks sweat away if you get hot. I wear a sports bra mostly so I don't get wires poking in my ribs when I'm lying down but it doesn't need to be a high impact one. I've seen plenty of women wearing normal bras though. Most important thing is you're comfortable. You might want to make sure you have socks and a warm top for the final relaxation so you don't get cold.

peppykoala · 10/08/2017 15:44

Depends how big your boobs are! I'm a B/C and I either wear a top with built in support or a soft yoga bra type thing - proper sports bras (like the ones I wear for running) tend to make me feel like I'm strangling myself in a shoulderstand! My teacher always says to avoid loose clothing as it makes it easier for a teacher to see what your body is doing, but overall just be comfortable & able to move easily (although I avoid loose tops/t shirts as they can leave you blinded by a t shirt with your stomach out if you're upside down!). Hope you enjoy your class!

BLUEsNewSpringWatch · 10/08/2017 21:10

Look up "downward dog" pose and test whatever top you want to wear in that pose to make sure it doesn't fall down towards your boobs or head (thankfully I'd tried some YouTube videos at home - so discovered at home my top completely fell up my body exposing my stomach & bra - I don't think I'd have been able to deal with embarrassment if it had happened in class but I'm at wimp in that respect. I bought some longer length tighter tops so it stays down over my hips whatever pose I do).

cactusbutt · 11/08/2017 03:53

When you're starting out, it's important to find a class that focuses on alignment. It might seem a bit boring now, but as you progress having a strong foundation is essential to moving on to some of the more advanced poses. So some of the more fast-moving classes like Vinyasa might not be the best thing when you're still learning the poses.

I practice Iyengar yoga, it's absolutely brilliant for developing a good understanding of asana, how to practice safely and how to develop your practice. Hatha and Anusara classes are also good for alignment. Look for a teacher who makes adjustments and gives clear instructions that make anatomical sense (common yoga-speak like "open your heart" isn't helpful if you don't know how to broaden and lift your chest, move your shoulderblades into your spine etc etc etc ).

I'd also stress that some yoga classes have a weird competitive vibe - steer clear and find one of the kind, welcoming ones instead. Triyoga has some amazing teachers and the studio is gorgeous - but not all classes there are created equal, maybe try a couple of beginners classes with different teachers before committing to a course.

Good luck! It's life-changing.

tigerdog · 11/08/2017 04:52

I really liked a studio called Down to Earth Yoga in Tufnell Park. Small and friendly place with a mix of classes. It's the only one I can think of near (ish) to the areas you mention that I know.

I love yoga, generally flow classes or Ashtanga as I like the more challenging classes and I like the repetition of a defined sequence. Also hot yoga (although not Bikram as much as it's too shouty) is great. Have been doing it for 12 years now.

Totally agree with pp suggestion to start with a more alignment focused style first, as once you've learned how to move and position your body correctly, it becomes much more enjoyable (and safe). A beginners class/course is worth it to get the basics.

The benefit of being in London is that you can try loads of places! There's lots of good intro offers around that usually give you things like unlimited classes for a month for a much lower cost than normal, so worth going to a few until you find one you like.

SuziePink · 11/08/2017 15:23

Did you enjoy your class OP?

Wanttotry2017 · 12/08/2017 14:35

Hello suzie yes I did! Thank you so much for everyone's advice.

It was a lovely class, quite small and very slow paced which I enjoyed! We just did a flow of about 6 postures for sun salutation if I've got that right.

The thing that worried me is I met a friend afterwards who's been doing yoga for years who told me that that week she'd really hurt her back and she thinks it from doing some yoga movements incorrectly for years and now wishes she had never started and told me to try Pilates Shock which has left me a bit confused! Confused

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SuziePink · 12/08/2017 15:23

I'm glad you enjoyed the class!

As for your friend... it is very possible that's how she's hurt her back but with a good teacher (and a student who's willing to listen and make changes when needed) and knowing your body well it should be more or less impossible to hurt yourself. Most people injure themselves when they don't listen to their body and go too far, it's also easier to overdo it in a heated environment because you can overstretch without realising.

British Wheel of Yoga teachers do 500 hours of teacher training and have to do top up training every year (I'm qualified to 200 hours and will finish the 500 hour course next year) and I've never been or never heard of anyone being injured with someone from BWY although I can't say the same about teachers from some other schools!

Try Pilates if you want but don't be put off yoga when you've only just started because of one story!

BLUEsNewSpringWatch · 12/08/2017 15:57

told me that that week she'd really hurt her back and she thinks it from doing some yoga movements incorrectly for years and now wishes she had never started

The thing with that is, pretty much every form of exercise can cause damage if done incorrectly. So it's not really yoga that's hurt her but doing exercises incorrectly that's hurt her. To me that friends experience just highlights the importance of a good teacher, who will correct postures and be clear which, if any, you can't do (dependent upon health problems, pre-existing injuries, etc).

My teacher is a British Wheel of Yoga one. She makes sure peoples alignment is right and often reminds us that alignment is far more important than getting further into a pose by loosing that alignment.

Pilates done by a poor quality teacher would have the same risks as a poor quality yoga teacher

Nikkimurr · 27/08/2017 07:21

Hi, it's great to hear you hit the mat! Good for you. I'd suggest mixing up your class with an at home practice - try different you tube videos - as Yoga is so much more than exercise (which Pilates strictly is- although a fantastic form of exercise!) and eventually you start to tune into you and achieve a heightened sense of awareness of how you function mentally and doing physically - so if you can practice listening to your body and mind as much as listening to the teacher then you should avoid injuries. Never do a pose because teacher instructs it/ everyone else if it doesn't feel right... that's why I'd rec. doing a bit of a at home practice so you don't feel pressure to move with the class all the time. Good luck on your yoga journey! X

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