Yoga Options

Yoga with Bonnie

Once you’ve made the decision to try yoga, you’ll be faced with the dilemma of how to get started. Let’s talk about some things for you to consider when embarking on your yoga journey.

Your first exposure to yoga will be formative for you, will likely color your perception of what yoga is, and thus will be crucial in determining whether you decide to continue. In other words, you should try to make an informed decision when planning your first experience.

Let’s review your options.

1. Home Practice
Some people opt to dip their toe in the yoga waters by purchasing one of the many instructional videos available on the market. Some advantages of this are privacy, maximum control of scheduling your practice and determining the length and pace of your sessions. The main disadvantages are the absence of instructor feedback and perhaps missing the enjoyment of practicing with a group. Not all videos are of equal quality, so you should choose carefully. Try to find one that features a professional yoga teacher rather than a moonlighting entertainment celebrity. Read online reviews and ask your yogi friends or a teacher for recommendations. Also, try to find a video that includes a written manual. To sum up, using a DVD at home is a good way to take that first step but, in most cases, I recommend eventually progressing to group or one-on-one training.

2. Group Practice
Yoga classes are typically offered at dedicated sites called “studios” and at gyms as part of the fitness class lineup. For many people, visiting one of these places is the obvious choice for getting started. You will find that purists sometimes look down on “gym yoga,” but it’s worth remembering that the quality of the class depends more on the teacher than the setting. The real drawbacks of practicing in a gym are usually associated with extraneous noise and music and a limited selection of classes. Some gyms make an effort to create a dedicated space for yoga while others do not.

Many programs are out there these days, and they all want your business. How should you choose? My answer: Do your homework. Start by talking to friends who practice. Find out where they go for yoga and why. If possible, take your first class with a friend. Having a buddy by your side can boost your comfort level and alleviate the trepidation that often comes with trying something new.

Search online and get on the phone. Look for deals. Studios often have introductory specials. Some places offer a free week of yoga classes to prospective new clients. This is an excellent opportunity for you to evaluate a studio without incurring any risk or obligation. Take full advantage of an introductory period by attending as many classes with as many teachers as you can. Don’t judge a studio by a single class or teacher, and don’t judge yoga by a single studio.

The first time you look at a yoga class schedule, you might feel a bit confused. Classes are usually labeled “Beginner,” “Intermediate” and so on, or numbered one through three in increasing degrees of difficulty. This system is in place to keep newbies from blundering into something way over their heads and, conversely, to help more-experienced practitioners find a class that will be sufficiently challenging. It’s advisable to heed the labels, especially as a beginner, to avoid frustration.

Some studios offer classes billed as “All Levels” but I would advise you to steer clear of these in favor of a true introductory class. Typically, All Levels is intended for practitioners who have already progressed past the introductory level. Remember, if you are having trouble selecting a class, a phone call to the studio can clear up your questions and remove ambiguity from the class descriptions.

3. Private Instruction
What could be better than having your own yoga teacher? This is the most expensive option but, aside from the cost, there are few if any drawbacks to this approach. Done in the studio or even in your own home, private instruction combines the flexible schedule of a home practice with the benefit of having a live teacher. Some practitioners who regularly attend group classes choose to augment their training with an occasional private session, say once a month, for a “tune-up.” Others use private training exclusively, and schedule several sessions per week. Private sessions usually result in more rapid progress in learning and refining the asanas. Why? With a good teacher, you’ll receive continual guidance and feedback as well as frequent “adjustments.” An adjustment, also called an assist, is an instructional technique wherein the teacher, either physically or by verbal command, manipulates the practitioner’s body to move it more deeply into a yoga pose. It takes months, years, or even a lifetime of practice for the body to fully assume some of the yoga poses. Through use of adjustments, the process can be accelerated in a safe manner.

I’ll close with a word on the topic of clothing. As might be expected, there are apparel manufacturers that specialize in yoga wear but, in truth, most typical gym clothing is suitable for doing yoga. A comfortable t-shirt and athletic shorts are okay. Just keep in mind that your body will go through a wide range of positions during a class and garments that are too loose might cause you to share more of your anatomy than intended. With that in mind, yoga-specific clothes usually consist of longer shorts, yoga pants, and fairly snug shirts and tops that can be trusted to keep things in place.

Special thanks to Bodywear Boutique, FIT Athletic and Peter Kirchmer

BONNIE SALDIVAR-JONES www.yogabon.com

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