Is there yoga for beginners?

[Anonymous]

Where do I go? I'm not flexible at all but would like to get into it.

I don't care for YouTube videos. I think it is best if I join a class, my gym has yoga sessions but would I be interrupting them if I've never done it before?

[Anonymous]

Where do you live? There are many studios Andrew classes to choose from. Every studio has beginner level classes. I’d start with your gym, talk to the instructor before hand.

[Anonymous]

Yoga is a practice, so in a way we are all beginners. Make sure to let the instructors know you're just starting, of they don't ask. They will show you modifications and gently help you realign positions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live? There are many studios Andrew classes to choose from. Every studio has beginner level classes. I’d start with your gym, talk to the instructor before hand.

Ugh. Not sure why “Andrew” is in there, it should read “and”.

[Anonymous]

Yoga classes are usually very basic, and it's hard to find ones for advanced practitioners. If you're that inflexible that you can't follow a standard yoga class, which I doubt since yoga is inclusive and the instructor should have blocks and blankets to make the moves easier, then you could try a gentle stretching class (for rehab, seniors, however they bill it).

[Anonymous]

The studio I used to go to had a "yoga for brand-new beginners" class. I started out by having a private 1:1 session, then doing that class, then Yoga 1. I've found that most Yoga 1 classes are appropriate for beginners, but only at studios with a high enough volume that they are able to offer a class specifically called "Yoga 1" or "Beginners Yoga." Smaller studios that call it something else generally don't have the volume to offer a true beginner's class. Avoid the classes called "all levels" or "1-2" -- they are not geared towards true beginners.

[Anonymous]

Circle Yoga in Chevy Chase DC has welcoming classes for beginners. You can drop in if space is available--no long-term commitment required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Yoga classes are usually very basic, and it's hard to find ones for advanced practitioners. If you're that inflexible that you can't follow a standard yoga class, which I doubt since yoga is inclusive and the instructor should have blocks and blankets to make the moves easier, then you could try a gentle stretching class (for rehab, seniors, however they bill it).

That's ... really not true at all. There are many, many bad yoga teachers and classes in DC, where they emphasize speed and doing a million "vinyasas," not form, and certainly not assuming that there are new beginners who need to be guided on modifications. And FYI, the issue is not being "inflexible" (because you can be an advanced yogi and still not be that flexible, seeing as flexibility is an inborn trait that people have to varying degrees) but rather understanding your body and the shapes it can get into safely. Plus, there's just learning and skill involved to follow the poses.

[Anonymous]

Go anywhere, just look for a class called Yoga 1, or Fundamentals, or Beginner and get there a little early to mention to the instructor that you are new. Often the instructor will ask if anyone is new or has an injury or whatever anyway. That's not to single people out or embarrass them but to be helpful and make sure they are in a spot where they can see and they set up their spot with any necessary/suggested props to make things easier (nothing scary - like a blanket or foam blocks).

[Anonymous]

Yoga Bliss in Gaithersburg has an intro to yoga class on Fridays. Many studios have either beginner classes or workshops for brand new students. Look for those studios.

[Anonymous]

Unity Woods in Bethesda. Do not pass go.