Yoga for beginners

[gummybear]

I am looking to add a very, very basic yoga to my repertoire. I have tried yoga before and to say I am a beginner is a gross understatement. I have horrific balance and am probably the unstretchiest person in the world.

Perusing my gym's offerings it looks like Hatha might be my best choice. Is this a good type for an "intro" to yoga?

[vanillahip]

Any yoga is good for beginners if you talk to the instructor first and they know to give you pose modifications! Hatha is a pretty generic term but usually "hatha" classes are relaxed, good for beginners.

Ashtanga is a little faster paced but also good for beginners because it's the same poses in the same order but not (generally) in a blazing hot room like Bikram/hot yoga.

[venice2007]

Feb 21, 2014 8:07:06 GMT -5 vanillahip said:

Any yoga is good for beginners if you talk to the instructor first and they know to give you pose modifications! Hatha is a pretty generic term but usually "hatha" classes are relaxed, good for beginners.

Ashtanga is a little faster paced but also good for beginners because it's the same poses in the same order but not (generally) in a blazing hot room like Bikram/hot yoga.

I agree you should be able to take any class as any good yoga teacher should give modifications for any level and use blocks and straps as needed. They are a great help as you learn poses and get stronger.

Also, yogaglo.com has beginner classes. But id take a few classes first so an instructor can help you do the poses correctly.

[gummybear]

Thanks guys. I have never taken a yoga class at my gym so I am curious to see if the instructors are good. The new session starts next week so they should be on the lookout for newbies! I will def. introduce myself and let them know I am a beginner

[Wines Not Whines]

I think Hatha yoga just means yoga... it's kind of a generic term. But try it out! I'm also ridiculously inflexible, but yoga has definitely helped me. If you don't love the first class you try, check out different classes and instructors. Finding the right instructor makes a huge difference.

[phoenixrising]

I am mostly a lurker, but I wanted to say that the best yoga I have done is when I left the yoga classes at the gym and went to an actual yoga studio. They usually have good intro prices (my studio has $20 for your first two weeks, unlimited classes), and they have gentle/beginner classes and highly trained instructors who can work with all different levels. I did a lot of yoga classes at gyms and at the community college, but I didn't start to enjoy it and feel its benefits until I went to my yoga studio.