Learning yoga by yourself?
February 7, 2010 4:05 AM Subscribe
What's the best way to learn yoga without getting lessons (due to lack of funds)? Is there an established beginners DVD/book someone can recommend?
Due to so many responses to my previous question about how to improve my posture being about yoga, I've decided to learn, but want to do it on the cheap! Suggestions?
Due to so many responses to my previous question about how to improve my posture being about yoga, I've decided to learn, but want to do it on the cheap! Suggestions?
I have Rodney Yee's Yoga Burn and have always loved using it.
posted by fantasticninety at 5:13 AM on February 7, 2010
posted by fantasticninety at 5:13 AM on February 7, 2010
I don't know if I'd do my first yoga sessions without an instructor. The first classes I had with a teacher were invaluable in getting proper alignment in the poses, and I would probably have hurt myself if it wasn't for their adjustments. Would it be possible to take a few classes at a yoga studio, just to get the basics, before you start doing it at home?
posted by OLechat at 5:34 AM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by OLechat at 5:34 AM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
I'm sure there's free courses on YouTube, maybe a Yoga-ist can advise on the good ones?
posted by oxit at 5:54 AM on February 7, 2010
posted by oxit at 5:54 AM on February 7, 2010
I started with Tara Stiles' youtube stream. She's a little new-agey for my taste but she covers a lot of basic moves, updates often and is an ultra-positive teacher.
posted by Hiker at 6:04 AM on February 7, 2010
posted by Hiker at 6:04 AM on February 7, 2010
I recomend The Heart of Yoga: Developing a personal practice by T. K. V. Desikachar. Desikachar is the son of the man who brought yoga into the modern world and taught the teachers of almost every yogi you ever heard of. His book is thoughtful and compassionate and covers much more about yoga then mere stretching.
Note that many studios have reduced rate community classes - usually once a week or so. A few might go a long way.
posted by shothotbot at 6:16 AM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
Note that many studios have reduced rate community classes - usually once a week or so. A few might go a long way.
posted by shothotbot at 6:16 AM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
I know you said no classes, but if you are in a metro area, it's worth checking if any studios near you offer 'Community Classes'. My studio offers one free community class and several 5 dollar community classes per week. They are meant to open up yoga to those who might otherwise never try it.
posted by GraceCathedral at 6:23 AM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by GraceCathedral at 6:23 AM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
(apologies for posting the same info twice!)
posted by GraceCathedral at 6:25 AM on February 7, 2010
posted by GraceCathedral at 6:25 AM on February 7, 2010
My first (and best) yoga instructor recommended Mehta's Yoga: The Iyengar Way as a good beginner's book. Its excellent - comprehensive and practical. Among its many virtues:
- It has extensive, clear, and useful descriptions of all of the important basic poses.
- It includes modifications of each pose for those who aren't flexible enough at the outset.
- It is extremely well illustrated, with multiple pictures for each pose.
- It includes a section with several dozen beginner-level yoga routines, to help you perform the poses in the correct order.
posted by googly at 7:35 AM on February 7, 2010
- It has extensive, clear, and useful descriptions of all of the important basic poses.
- It includes modifications of each pose for those who aren't flexible enough at the outset.
- It is extremely well illustrated, with multiple pictures for each pose.
- It includes a section with several dozen beginner-level yoga routines, to help you perform the poses in the correct order.
posted by googly at 7:35 AM on February 7, 2010
As a teen in a small town I started learning yoga from books; I didn't take my first class until university; now I take a class 2x/week (wonderfully my work has lunchtime ones!) and supplement with books, videos, podcasts. Don't forget free podcasts!
YogaJournal (a magazine) has a beginner's section on their website: http://www.yogajournal.com/basics
Also to help you prevent injuries: they describe contraindications for poses and what *not* to do for the poses. I really like this section in their magazine.
For videos, seconding Rodney Yee and any Gaiam videos. They have series for beginners and at least one nice 15min morning video (good for anytime you need a quick stretch). http://www.gaiam.com/category/yoga-studio/yoga-media.do
For podcasts:
YogaJournal has some great resources and a podcast/videos online: http://www.yogajournal.com/podcast/ watch the ones that are video (not audio only) first. Most classes are 30min.
Yogamazing has hatha yoga classes, beginner to intermediate, 15-30 min long. Chaz talks through all the poses so it could be very helpful for a beginner. Some classes are power/flow so they may be faster than you want. On the website you can pay for previous podcasts but I just subscribe through iTunes and that's all I need.
Once you are more advanced, Yoga Today is also good. I like the filming locations and the classes are a bit more intense and longer, ~60min. They have a free yoga online video each week: http://www.yogatoday.com/videos/this_weeks_free_video
Seconding others here that it is very helpful to take an in-person class at some point. A good teacher will not only be encouraging but *check your posture*. I don't think I ever hurt myself, but there is that risk like any exercise. I found I didn't really figure out how the breathing until I took a class.
Seconding GraceCathedral: yoga classes at a community centre, local university, or college may be much less expensive than a specalised yoga studio. Many offer drop-in but it's better if you can take a whole course: if you drop in mid-way you might find the class has past your level.
posted by SarahbytheSea at 7:42 AM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
YogaJournal (a magazine) has a beginner's section on their website: http://www.yogajournal.com/basics
Also to help you prevent injuries: they describe contraindications for poses and what *not* to do for the poses. I really like this section in their magazine.
For videos, seconding Rodney Yee and any Gaiam videos. They have series for beginners and at least one nice 15min morning video (good for anytime you need a quick stretch). http://www.gaiam.com/category/yoga-studio/yoga-media.do
For podcasts:
YogaJournal has some great resources and a podcast/videos online: http://www.yogajournal.com/podcast/ watch the ones that are video (not audio only) first. Most classes are 30min.
Yogamazing has hatha yoga classes, beginner to intermediate, 15-30 min long. Chaz talks through all the poses so it could be very helpful for a beginner. Some classes are power/flow so they may be faster than you want. On the website you can pay for previous podcasts but I just subscribe through iTunes and that's all I need.
Once you are more advanced, Yoga Today is also good. I like the filming locations and the classes are a bit more intense and longer, ~60min. They have a free yoga online video each week: http://www.yogatoday.com/videos/this_weeks_free_video
Seconding others here that it is very helpful to take an in-person class at some point. A good teacher will not only be encouraging but *check your posture*. I don't think I ever hurt myself, but there is that risk like any exercise. I found I didn't really figure out how the breathing until I took a class.
Seconding GraceCathedral: yoga classes at a community centre, local university, or college may be much less expensive than a specalised yoga studio. Many offer drop-in but it's better if you can take a whole course: if you drop in mid-way you might find the class has past your level.
posted by SarahbytheSea at 7:42 AM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
I like the Yoga Step by Step series, as well as Rodney Yee's videos.
I would also recommend taking at least one or two classes with an instructor. It's really important that you get the moves right, and buying one less video in favor of one class with someone who can make sure you're not going to injure yourself is really important. You don't have to sign up for a series of classes or make any commitments--a lot of studios offer free "total beginner's" sessions.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 9:16 AM on February 7, 2010
I would also recommend taking at least one or two classes with an instructor. It's really important that you get the moves right, and buying one less video in favor of one class with someone who can make sure you're not going to injure yourself is really important. You don't have to sign up for a series of classes or make any commitments--a lot of studios offer free "total beginner's" sessions.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 9:16 AM on February 7, 2010
I really like the MTV Yoga and MTV Power Yoga dvds for the ease of figuring out how to do the poses and the non-cheesy (if a little dated by now) background music. Amazon sells these in a four pack with MTV pilates, which are my go-to pilates dvds. I'm a super klutz and terribly inflexible, and I've found these very do-able even for a body that's not very inclined for yoga.
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 9:34 AM on February 7, 2010
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 9:34 AM on February 7, 2010
Light on Yoga is supposed to be the book that introduced yoga to the west. I don't know if that's true, but it's certainly very traditional and difficult.
I had some previous instruction, but ran into a wall doing it on my own. Iyengar himself warns of "involuntary ejaculation and loss of virility" if you do some of the intermediate poses incorrectly. I did not experience this, but I think I know what he means.
posted by cmoj at 10:33 AM on February 7, 2010
I had some previous instruction, but ran into a wall doing it on my own. Iyengar himself warns of "involuntary ejaculation and loss of virility" if you do some of the intermediate poses incorrectly. I did not experience this, but I think I know what he means.
posted by cmoj at 10:33 AM on February 7, 2010
Here in Denver, Vital Yoga asks for donations, but people who can't afford anything aren't asked to pay. I highly recommend a little research. You may find a similar studio in your area. If you have posture problems, coaching would be invaluable.
posted by Carmody'sPrize at 10:45 AM on February 7, 2010
posted by Carmody'sPrize at 10:45 AM on February 7, 2010
I belong to a gym where the classes are free, including yoga and pilates. Between the several locations in my area and the schedules, there are probably five yoga classes a week. You may want to check and see if you can sign up for a gym and get a special rate. Some companies also get corporate discounts for employees.
posted by ishotjr at 12:13 PM on February 7, 2010
posted by ishotjr at 12:13 PM on February 7, 2010
Do you have a TV/DVR? There's a yoga course that comes on TV every morning, called Inhale. It's just an hour of Yoga. I can't remember the channel, though.
posted by biochemist at 1:02 PM on February 7, 2010
posted by biochemist at 1:02 PM on February 7, 2010
I think it's on Oxygen (Inhale).
posted by saveyoursanity at 5:22 PM on February 7, 2010
posted by saveyoursanity at 5:22 PM on February 7, 2010
There's also a Namaste Yoga tv program on the fitness channel. They extend a few poses into a 20 minute segment but run a range of beginner to intermediate-advanced poses.
posted by stratastar at 11:17 PM on February 7, 2010
posted by stratastar at 11:17 PM on February 7, 2010
adding another yes to rodney yee programs, he explains things pretty clearly and concisely.
BUT i recommend you try some classes first. many studios have something like a first free class, etc. the reason i say this is when you're first starting out you may not know if you're doing something wrong, and a teacher will correct your posture. it doesn't help much if you're following a dvd but have incorrect posture, so a live teacher at first helps out a lot. once you've got those basics down you can just follow dvds or make your own workout :)
posted by raw sugar at 10:02 AM on February 8, 2010
BUT i recommend you try some classes first. many studios have something like a first free class, etc. the reason i say this is when you're first starting out you may not know if you're doing something wrong, and a teacher will correct your posture. it doesn't help much if you're following a dvd but have incorrect posture, so a live teacher at first helps out a lot. once you've got those basics down you can just follow dvds or make your own workout :)
posted by raw sugar at 10:02 AM on February 8, 2010
Yoga Today is fantastic (website and oodles of free podcasts through iTunes).
posted by onepot at 11:24 AM on February 8, 2010
posted by onepot at 11:24 AM on February 8, 2010
I would just go to the library, get some dvd's, and go for it.
posted by aesacus at 4:45 PM on February 11, 2010
posted by aesacus at 4:45 PM on February 11, 2010
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I have the easy series tripack. Her instructions are clear, things move along at a simple pace, and it's really easy to follow in your own rhythm. But don't kid yourself. It's a workout!
posted by zizzle at 4:47 AM on February 7, 2010