I went to baby and me yoga at circle yoga. Don't know what their beginner classes are like, but that's in upper nw.

Simon Says Yoga in Sangamore Shopping Center. Owner is an elementary school teacher and is very patient, calm, and understanding of different levels.

Op here. Thanks for the recs. Will look into home DVDs but if anyone has recommendation for nw dc or bethesda i would be most grateful. Thanks!

If you are in Arlington, try Sun and Moon. All shapes, sizes and ages, and definitely not an intimidating place.

Do you belong to a gym OP? If so I would recommend starting with gym yoga classes. And try out different instructors to find ones you like. I like the gym ones because they tend to mix the different styles of yoga a bit more than a studio class would and I like that.

Agree with others - yoga is for everyone. I'm thin but incredibly inflexible, tight, and afraid to try things and I LOVE yoga, though I was so intimidated by first class. People of all abilities come and every instructor I have had has been good about offering modifications for beginners, and more advanced folks. I miss it so much - with two kids I can't find time to do a class anymore so I just try to incorporate my favorite poses into my stretching routine.

Dont feel self conscious. The yoga community is accepting and when i am there, i am in the zone concentrating and couldnt care less how much my neighbor weighs or how "good" anyone is at yoga! No judgements in these classes and teachers often offer several options for poses to challenGe the whole class

OP, a couple of the best yoga teachers I know are no skinny-minnies themselves. Yoga is suitable for all bodies! (though you'd want to ease into power yoga - it can be really strenuous for a beginner.)

Starting with yoga videos at home is a great idea. Just be very careful to research the videos to make sure you get videos that have gotten a thumbs-up from fitness experts. Yoga is fantastic (I love it!), but you can hurt yourself, as with any other activity. When you start out, you'll be using muscles, etc. that you haven't used before.

I felt most comfortable starting with some videos at home before I took a class. I used this video and loved it: http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Just-Size-Megan-Garcia/dp/B0006TPDXO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321976369&sr=8-1 When I started classes, I felt so much more confident at least having become comfortable with the basic moves. I still do the video when I can't make it to a class or want some extra movement.

OP, where are you? You shouldn't feel self conscious doing yoga. It's for all shape, sizes and abilities.

Willow street yoga in silver spring and takoma park are great studios. I was a beginner there, I'd say they support very beginner all the way to very advanced. The ethos of yoga is very "do what works for you", go at your own pace, etc, so it is very OK to know nothing and start where you are. I think it is among the most forgiving of group exercise classes that way.

Sunday morning yoga classes at the Y in silver spring are also good.

I started at shakti in shaw-small beginner classes and a lot of attention. Shaktimindbodystudio.com I believe. Their beginners class is aha yoga basics. And I was seriously overweight when I started and am less so after a few years of yoga.

I was intimidated by large gym classss.

I have always wanted to try yoga but am packing a few extra pounds right now and don't know where I can go where I won't feel self-conscious. I also know nothing about yoga except what my DDs have taught me so I'm nervous about being a beginner. Any suggestions of beginner-friendly studios?