suggestions for beginning yoga

[Anonymous]

I second the recommendation to start with a CLASS, not a DVD. Learning proper form is *really* important in yoga, especially if you want in for the long haul.

See if you can find a studio that offers a 6- or 8-week intro to yoga series. That way everyone starts together, grows together, and everyone is new! This is a really good way to start at the beginning and *build* a practice rather than just taking beginner classes, where you may or may not get an instructor that has time to help you.

Good luck! I hate to sound cheesy, but yoga really changed my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i had a good experience a while back at sun & moon yoga studio on lee highway. It's ok to be a beginner.

I agree with this 10000%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I could have written that OP myself, right down to age and location (can we be BFFs? Please?). I want to try yoga but I'm very intimidated by yoga studios with all the size 0 moms in Lululemon. I'm currently overweight and out of shape, but even in my best shape I'm totally inflexible. Although a yoga instructor in my FB feed says she can't stand it when people shy away from yoga because they say they aren't flexible, it's a very real fear for me that I won't be able to do a damn thing, plus I hate being singled out in a group.

Good teachers give alternates, and you use props like belts or blocks (which they have in the studio) to make sure you can reach everything you need to!

[Anonymous]

My mom is in her late 50s, a little overweight, totally unathletic, and completely inflexible.

At my urging, she started a beginning yoga series and is now totally addicted. Dropped weight, became more flexible, lost some of her shoulder/back pain... Just go. Try it out. And think about the fact that those size 0 Lulus will be older and a little flabbier 20 years and 2.5 kids from now, too. :o)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I could have written that OP myself, right down to age and location (can we be BFFs? Please?). I want to try yoga but I'm very intimidated by yoga studios with all the size 0 moms in Lululemon. I'm currently overweight and out of shape, but even in my best shape I'm totally inflexible. Although a yoga instructor in my FB feed says she can't stand it when people shy away from yoga because they say they aren't flexible, it's a very real fear for me that I won't be able to do a damn thing, plus I hate being singled out in a group.

OP here. To everyone, thanks for the great suggestions!!

To this pp - yes - would love a like-minded friend. Maybe we could at least pick a yoga place and class and show up together - at lease we won't be singled out and try this together. What do you think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I could have written that OP myself, right down to age and location (can we be BFFs? Please?). I want to try yoga but I'm very intimidated by yoga studios with all the size 0 moms in Lululemon. I'm currently overweight and out of shape, but even in my best shape I'm totally inflexible. Although a yoga instructor in my FB feed says she can't stand it when people shy away from yoga because they say they aren't flexible, it's a very real fear for me that I won't be able to do a damn thing, plus I hate being singled out in a group.

OP here. To everyone, thanks for the great suggestions!!

To this pp - yes - would love a like-minded friend. Maybe we could at least pick a yoga place and class and show up together - at lease we won't be singled out and try this together. What do you think?

Another 44-y.o. here who would love to join in. I am ridiculously inflexible and so intimidated by yoga, but I know it would be so good for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I could have written that OP myself, right down to age and location (can we be BFFs? Please?). I want to try yoga but I'm very intimidated by yoga studios with all the size 0 moms in Lululemon. I'm currently overweight and out of shape, but even in my best shape I'm totally inflexible. Although a yoga instructor in my FB feed says she can't stand it when people shy away from yoga because they say they aren't flexible, it's a very real fear for me that I won't be able to do a damn thing, plus I hate being singled out in a group.

OP here. To everyone, thanks for the great suggestions!!

To this pp - yes - would love a like-minded friend. Maybe we could at least pick a yoga place and class and show up together - at lease we won't be singled out and try this together. What do you think?

If you decide where to go (in the Tysons/FC/Arl vicinity), I just may just show up. I'll be the other overweight, 44-year-old trying to blend into the surroundings.

[Anonymous]

My best advice is to remember that yoga is about self-acceptance, not self-improvement. It doesn't matter what someone else looks like or can do. Stay with your breath, appreciate all you can do, and enjoy your practice.

[Anonymous]

Yoga is awesome! But if you really want a good workout, don't be afraid to go to a challenging class (after a few basics under your belt) and modify! There's some mythos that yoga = turning yourself into a human pretzel - not true in my vinyasa, power-yoga experience.

[Anonymous]

I loved my yoga fundamentals class at Flow Yoga in DC (near whole foods). It was small and the teacher was excellent an so welcoming. If you live near dc it is worth going to. I went to another beginners class elsewhere but the teacher did not seem as experienced as the ones at Flow...

[Anonymous]

Please try Local Motion in Alexandria! All body types, wonderful women who own it, very accepting. I am about 60 pounds overweight and I started classes there and don't feel embarrased at all. I love what they stand for.

[Anonymous]

Tranquil space is great as is journeyoga on columbia pike. Take a level 1/beginner class and get there a little early to tell the teacher u r new to yoga. I think journey has "fundamentals" series for beginners.

Agree with pp's....it's really about u and your experiences, not a competition with those in the room. Enjoy!