Yoga?

swampwitch

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I was wondering if anybody here takes or teaches yoga classes and what kind of yoga you like (or not). I'm ready to start taking classes, and am looking into all the different types. Wow, there are a lot!

I live with a few chronic illnesses so need to start slowly. I know there are some types you do in heat but that would not work for me, since I have trouble sweating and overheat instead (due to B12 anemia). Two that sound good are Yinyasa or Restorative Yoga, but who knows if I can find one of those classes nearby.

Any thoughts or experiences? Thanks in advance!
 
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ritz

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I take yoga. Ballet feeds my soul; yoga feeds my body.
Personally I don't go so much by the type of yoga as I do by the particular class.
Restorative yoga would be good but it's geared more towards relaxation (to the point where you might fall asleep). Another type of yoga you might want to consider is called, variously, gentle yoga, therapeutic yoga or even chair yoga. Also look for yoga geared to people over 50 years of age; they tend to be slower paced. Most yoga teachers truly want to know what physical limitations you may have and will want to show you alternative ways of doing a particular pose.
I would avoid 'flow yoga' for now, it can be a bit energetic and fast pace depending on the flow sequence and teacher.
I'd also read the descriptions of the classes begin taught. The descriptions can vary among yoga studios and even teachers. Try to take an introduction/'newbie' workshop. I tool an introduction to yoga, five week session: twice.
 

mani

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There are so many different types of yoga and they're springing up all the time.  It amused me recently when a student told me that she was doing a certain type of yoga and I said "Oh yes, that's one of the new ones".  Her reply: "Oh no, it's been around about six years"..


I'm a really traditional teacher associated with a specific yoga lineage. People like myself will create a class that will begin with some relaxation, go into the asana (postures), then the pranayama (breathing practices) and on into deep relaxation or meditation.  That is the process that has been proven over hundreds of years to draw us in from the 'gross' to the 'subtle' (solid body to the energy of the breath to the inner world of the mind).  Asana (postures) are such a tiny part of yoga, but are really embraced by the West.  And of course they have their place.

Talk to the prospective teachers and get a feel for what they're like.  I always have a good chat to prospective students, and will often send them elsewhere if they're looking for something really physical, for example.

Please don't do any 'hot' form of yoga, @SwampWitch, if you have health concerns.  If you let me know the websites of places you're considering, I'd be happy to offer any suggestions.  I don't know all the 'new' ones, but I can get an idea from what I read about them. 
 

alyssam

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I played sports(indoor&outdoor soccer, Korean martial arts) my entire childhood and up until I was 20. My high school friends got me into a yoga studio ONCE. I was bored out of my mind and left before the session finished. 
 
 
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