Beginner Yoga Class Checklist

If you're new to yoga, you might not know what to expect when you walk in the doors of a beginner's yoga class for the first time. You might not even know how to start in choosing a beginner's yoga class to attend. Here's a "how to" checklist.

1. Nail down your goals and find the right style for you.

Everyone comes to yoga for different reasons. Sometimes these differences are slight, other times they're vast.

For instance, are you interested in an intense physical workout to throbbing music, or are you on more of a spiritual path towards (quiet) enlightenment? Are you attracted to yoga because of its health benefits, and if so, is it physical or emotional health you are most interested in?

Are you interested in the philosophy and rich traditions of yoga, or are you on the other extreme and wouldn't be caught dead reciting a mantra?

Whatever your personal needs and proclivities, there's a yoga for you. If several flavors of yoga are offered in your area, do your research online or in the library to find which style would be the best fit for you.

Once you know what it is you're looking for, you can set some goals. Call the teacher of the beginner yoga class you're considering and ask if your expectations are reasonable.

2. Choose a drop-in or series beginner yoga class

A drop-in yoga class allows you to pay-as-you go. There will likely be some turnover week to week as to which students show up for class. The teacher is likely to keep this class on the mild side, because students will be at such differing ability levels.

This may be just what you're looking for if you just want a taste of yoga but don't want to buy an expensive package of classes. This may also be a good choice for you if your schedule won't allow you to attend a class every week. Keep in mind there are significant drawbacks.

One, because the class is ongoing, you will never get to start at "the beginning." You may be a little lost at first while you learn the culture of the class. Also, drop-in beginner yoga classes tend to be repetitive.

A series yoga class is different in that you buy a set number of classes and each class builds on what you learned in the previous week. A good series class is repetitive only in that there is some review each time, but then the teacher introduces new material.

You can learn much more much faster in a series class, but again there are drawbacks. First, if you miss a class it may be difficult to make up the material that you missed. Also, you will be asked to pay for the whole series up front.

Take a look at your level of commitment, your schedule and your budget and decide whether a drop-in or a series class is better for your needs.

3. Make sure the teacher has adequate training.

Yoga is now a significant contributor to sports injuries. This can be attributed to two things: students pushing themselves too hard for perfection and inadequate training of instructors.

Don't be shy in asking your potential instructor about their background. There are certifications for teaching "gym yoga" that an instructor can get in a long weekend. A three day training is just enough to make someone dangerous. That's not to say that some of the people who start with such certifications don't turn out to be excellent instructors by dedicating themselves to practice and increasing their knowledge over the course of months and years.

There are of course people who teach yoga with no formal certification whatsoever, and though it might be difficult for these teachers to get liability insurance, there's nothing illegal about it. Keep in mind that yoga is a spiritual tradition thousands of years old, and the idea of giving someone a certificate for learning a few poses and breathing techniques would have been an odd idea indeed even seventy years ago. It is one thing to wake up one morning and decide to teach yoga with little to no experience. It is quite another to teach after living for years under the tutelage of a master yogi who just doesn't believe in certificates.

As a general rule, seek out yoga teachers with at the very least 200 hours of training. In the United States there's an organization called the Yoga Alliance that offers a registry of teachers who attended training programs that meet certain standards. Someone can have the Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) designation from the Yoga Alliance and still be a crummy teacher, but usually RYTs are a safe bet.

4. Look into additional costs of the yoga class.

Sometimes there are additional costs involved in taking a beginner's yoga class besides the registration fee. You may need to buy your own yoga mat, strap, or other props, for instance. In some classes you may need to buy certain books for study or even special clothing of a certain color.

It is important to know what the related costs are up front so that you and your bank account won't encounter any surprises later on.

I hope this checklist will help you find a beginner's yoga class that's right for you.

David Morgan is a Kripalu Yoga Teacher who offers Knoxville, TN yoga classes [http://www.yogaknoxville.com/]. Find out more about yoga for beginners [http://www.yogaknoxville.com/beginner-yoga-class-checklist-110/] on his web site and get a free relaxation recording by subscribing to his newsletter that covers yoga in Knoxville and the East Tennessee region.

Philosophy and Universal Principles of Yoga

Yoga is a powerful tool to help you blossom and reach your full human potential. The seeds are all within you, yoga is the water, the sunlight, the nutrients and the love they need in order to make your life vibrant, beautiful and full of sweet fragrance. It is not a religion, it is really a science with which to develop your body, mind and spirit. The ultimate goal of Yoga, which literally means, Union, is to reunite you with the Universal Source. You may call this Universal Source by any name you wish, God, Brahman, Allah, Christ Consciousness, Buddha Nature etc, Yoga is a pathway to bring you to the realization that you and this Universal Source are inseparably One.

There are many branches of Yoga, such as Bhakti Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Laya Yoga, Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Kundalini Yoga to name a few. These all have the same one goal, unification with the Universal Source, but each follow a different path to get there. Depending on your personality one or the other path may suit you better.

Here is a description of some of the major branches of Yoga:

* Bhakti Yoga: Emphasizes love as the pathway to liberation and Union.

* Jnana Yoga: Emphasizes the intellectual and philosophical approach to penetrate the illusion of dualistic reality.

* Karma Yoga: Emphasizes right action and selfless service as the path to moksha (liberation).

* Kundalini Yoga: Emphasizes the activation of Kundalini Shakti for enlightenment.

* Raja Yoga: Considered the Scientific approach, this branch emphasizes Sage Pantanjali's 8 step path to Self-Realization.

In this article I will expand on Raja Yoga as that is perhaps the most prevalent and popular Yoga system in use today.

As indicated above Raja Yoga employs Sage Pantanjali's 8 step path to achieve Union with the Supreme. This 8 step system (ashtanga) compromises of the following parts. Yamas, Niyamas, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and finally Samadhi. This 8 step path is designed to bring about physical, emotion and mental harmony; and in the advanced practices of Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi lead to the cessation of thoughts allowing the mind to realize that Reality is indeed Singular, Whole and indivisible.

Here is a description of the 8 limbs of Raja Yoga:

1. Yamas: Yamas are abstensions. They are truth, nonviolence, control of sexual energy, nonstealing and noncovetousness.

2. Niyams: Niyams are observances. They are austerities, purity, contentment, study and egolessness.

3. Asanas: Steady postures and poses.

4. Pranayama: Breathing exercises and control of the vital energy.

5. Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the Senses.

6. Dharana: Concentration of the mind.

7. Dhyana: Meditation.

8. Samadhi: Union with the Supreme Consciousness.

The regular practice of Raja Yoga promotes health, happiness and insight. Although the ultimate goal of Yoga is Union with the Supreme, many material benefits are also obtained by its practice. Today, many ailments are treated via the use of Yoga asanas and pranayamas, and the stress reducing benefits of Yoga meditation are becoming more and more valuable to us given our hectic and frantic lifestyles. Furthermore, the principles of humility, truth and other high values that Yoga promotes are helping to offset some of the excessive materialism and greed that is eroding the peace and spirit of our society today.

The most important aspect of Yoga is that it is based on Self-Realization. In other words, you are given the tools required, and using them you bring about the necessary transformations in yourself to reach your true potential in life. It is now often said, that the next great teachers will arise from the West. This is because the West has an empirical approach to things, as opposed to superstition and blind faith. If something works it is embraced and utilized, if something does not prove to work, it is discarded as junk. This is probably the reason why Yoga has grown in such popularity here in the West, because it works. So dive in and reap the benefits.

Anmol Mehta is a Kundalini Yoga Teacher, Zen Teacher and author of the profound Silent Mind Meditation Program which is available for free at Mastery of Meditation, Kundalini Yoga and Zen. You will also find a wealth of insightful articles at Mastery of Meditation, Kundalini Yoga and Zen Blog, all geared to help you achieve your highest potential.

This article is available for reprint on your website and/or newsletter, provided it is not changed and you include the signature above.

Bikram Yoga - What Is It And Who Started It?

There are many types of yoga that you can do to help you get into shape or help you enhance your spirituality. The Bikram yoga is a physical type of yoga. It is more aerobic than other types are. Do you know who started this type of yoga? Who was Bikram yoga named after?

The Bikram yoga was founded by Bikram Choudhry. Bikram was born in 1946 in Kolkatta. During his life he became a disciple of Bishnu Gosh who is the brother of Paramahamsa Yogananda. He was very young when he became a disciple. He was only four years old at the time. He mastered the Hatha yoga technique, which allowed him to win the Indian yoga championship at a very young age. He retired an undefeated champion when he was very young.

Bikram went on to start many training centers for yoga under the direction of his master Bishnu Gosh. He later on in his life came up with his own system for yoga which became known as Bikram yoga.

When doing Bikram yoga you will do this type of yoga in a heated room. The temperature in this room is usually about ninety to one hundred degrees. This will help warm the body which in turns makes the postures that you are required to do much easier. The postures that you do with this type of yoga are done in twenty six postures. This yoga starts with standing postures, backward bends, forward bends and even twists. You will do each posture twice. In order to do the full routine for Bikram yoga it will take you about ninety minutes.

This type of yoga may not be the right type for you. Someone that is physically fit will be able to do the Bikram yoga with ease. However, when you are not in such good shape you might want to start with another type of yoga. Then when you have made your body stronger you will be able to attempt this type of yoga.

You want to make sure that you find out all you can about Bikram yoga so that you will know if it is right for you. You need to know what it is about and whether you can handle it. You don't want to do this yoga or any other yoga without first knowing what you will be doing. So take the time needed to find out about Bikram yoga before you attempt it.

Get more benefits from yoga by visiting Hot-Yoga-Tips.com where you will find yoga related information, tips, advice and resources to include yoga for men, women and the different branches of yoga.

Knoxville Yoga Offers Variety

Knoxville, Tennessee is home to a growing community of yoga enthusiasts, including many excellent yoga teachers. This is great news whether you're an advanced practitioner interested in trying out different yoga styles or you're a beginning yoga student shopping for your very first yoga class.

Whether your interest in yoga is for physical fitness, for the health benefits yoga offers any number of conditions and illnesses, or purely spiritual, you will surely find a yoga style and teacher you like with a little shopping.

The number of yoga styles and traditions can be daunting, so here is a list of what yoga you can find in Knoxville, TN with a brief description. To find a studio that offers what you think you'd prefer, simply search on Google or your preferred search engine.

Ashtanga Yoga: Ashtanga is one of the more athletic forms of yoga still rooted in tradition, emphasizing movement through a prescribed series of postures.

Hatha yoga: Hatha literally means 'forceful,' though it is often attributed to gentle yoga in the West. Any form of yoga incorporating body postures and breath control could be said to be hatha yoga, including all the other types of yoga listed in this article.

Iyengar yoga: Iyengar yoga emphasizes precise alignment of the body while holding postures.

Kripalu Yoga: Kripalu Yoga integrates yoga postures and breathing with meditation, making it as much an inward experience as it is an outward exercise. Classes range from gentle to vigorous.

Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini Yoga is an intense combination of purifying, energetic movements with breathing and chanting to awaken energy centers called chakras.

Prenatal and Momma-Baby yoga: Yoga can enhance a healthy birth and keep mom in shape afterwards.

Vinyasa yoga: Vinyasa, flow, and power yoga is the movement from one posture to the next connected by the breath. Usually the flow is based on the sun salutation and the pace of movement between poses is fairly fast, but that is not always the case. The classroom is sometimes heated for increased flexibility and body purification.

Yin Yoga: Yin Yoga targets the connective tissue - tendons, ligaments, and cartilage - for increased flexibility. Postures tend to be held for longer periods as a restorative technique.

Best wishes in finding the right yoga class for your particular needs, and welcome to the Knoxville yoga community!

David E. Morgan teaches Knoxville yoga [http://www.yogaknoxville.com/knoxville-yoga-114/] classes. See his yoga class schedule and sign up for his mailing list at Yoga with Santosh [http://www.yogaknoxville.com/yoga-classes] The next complete beginner series is enrolling now, and no previous knowledge or experience is required to join.

Yoga Teacher Training: Am I Too Old to Become a Yoga Teacher?

All too frequently, I am asked by middle-aged or senior students, who aspire to become a Yoga teacher, "When is the best time to become a Yoga teacher?" Has the window of time passed for this opportunity, and is a younger Yoga instructor better suited to teach Yoga to the public?

Some of these veteran Yoga students have decades of experience, but feel intimidated by the "young hard bodies." This is a deep subject, so let's take a closer look at what holds some of us back from becoming a Yoga teacher.

The following three issues are worth mentioning at this point:

1. Is Hatha Yoga strictly a physical practice?

2. If Hatha Yoga were an exercise class, the value of a "coach" is worthy of note.

3. There are so many Yoga students over 40 years of age, who desire a knowledgeable, mature, and careful Yoga teacher.

Is Hatha Yoga strictly a physical practice? No - Hatha Yoga covers mental, spiritual, and emotional aspects, as well as the physical aspects of life. The public has been duped by pretzel asanas (postures) on the covers of magazines.

If you never studied Yoga, you might not know better, but I am surprised when a student, with ten or more years of practice, still sees asana as the "Holy Grail" of Hatha Yoga. Asana is very valuable, but does not govern Hatha Yoga.

Pranayama (cultivation of life force through breath) is the ruler of body, mind, spirit, and emotions. Pranayama keeps you healthy in all aspects of existence, and Pranayama governs many asana techniques. If you cannot breathe correctly, asana performance can be very frustrating - when folding, balancing, or twisting. Pranayama makes mudra (gestures), and bandha (locks), purification of the nadis (energy channels), and meditation, much more powerful.

However, Pranayama is not the only aspect of Hatha Yoga. It is just one of the many aspects mentioned within the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Maharishi Patanjali mentions eight limbs within the Yoga Sutras. Asana is just one of the eight limbs of Yoga, but asana can be seen, and can be performed, to impress the public.

Would the public be impressed by Samadhi (the settled mind)? You already know the answer - The general public is impressed by the superficial aspects of Yoga, but Yoga is much more than one aspect.

If Hatha Yoga were simply an exercise class, the value of a "coach" is still worthy of note. The definition of a "teacher" in most languages is, "One who has been there before."

When you can teach a Yoga student how to perform an asana technique correctly, but you cannot perform the same asana perfectly, that is a part of being a teacher. The fact is - you understand the mechanics as good as anyone.

© Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. To receive a Free e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

The Physical And Mental Exhileration Of Practising Yoga

An excellent way of keeping fit is to practice yoga and if you're looking something that's exhilarating both physically and mentally for body and mind then the advantages of practising yoga is for you. Basically to practice yoga all you need is yourself, a yoga mat, a good teacher at a yoga studio to learn and an open mind.

Various Tools Available For Purchase To Enhance Your Yoga Practise Sessions

The yoga mat is a must to begin and is used to provide cushioning for your body and once you become more proficient in your yoga poses you may not choose to use one. At most yoga studios a mat can usually be hired, it's a good idea to have your own as you don't want to be bothered with other peoples sweat etc. A good yoga mat will cost approximately twenty Euro and up, this price shouldn't sway your commitment in deciding to go ahead. You may want to consider purchasing two yoga mats, if you're going to do yoga at home you'll need one there too. Yoga mats do come in various types i.e. thick-mats, sticky-mats, travel-mats, extra-long-mats etc., so make sure to purchase the one that suits you best.

With some yoga poses you may need yoga props such as blocks which are generally made of bamboo or foam and are reasonably priced at under ten euros. If your new to yoga a dvd or cd could be a good idea so you can practice your yoga at home too. These yoga lessons on dvd or cd are priced at anything between fifteen to fifty Euro. Meditation cushions are also available at reasonable prices, but are not essential to start practising yoga.

The Benefits of Practising Yoga

One of yoga's many benefits is that it will help to increase your ability to find your space, harmony, inner peace and ease within your body and mind. But yoga can also help ease aches and pains in all parts of the body - for example; one of the places where we often have tightened tendons is around the shoulders and neck area, which often causes headaches, practicing yoga can loosen up tight muscles and tendons and alleviate those annoying headache.

Yoga Poses For Beginners

There are many yoga poses, each one being helpful for any number of ailments, aches, pains and stress. No need to be overwhelmed or put off, you'll learn the poses as you go and as your yoga is hopefully going to be a lifelong pursuit, you'll have lots of time to learn. As your practice of yoga progresses, you'll become less overwhelmed and be comfortable taking on more of the challenging poses, but as a beginner, it's a good idea to keep your yoga practice simple. However, don't jump right into any fancy yoga exercises before you've been to a few yoga classes. It can take years to learn the various yoga positions, but there are exercises that are appropriate and helpful for beginner students too.

A few standing yoga poses for beginners - both in English and Sanskrit include the following:

Downward Facing Dog - Adho Mukha

Downward-Facing Dog is an all-round yoga pose, which is a rejuvenating stretch. A few of the benefits of this pose are that it calms the brain and helps relieve stress, energizing the body as well as it stretches the shoulders, calves, arches, and hands.

Extended Sides Angle Pose - Utthita Parsvakonasana

Extended Sides Angle Pose is used to create a stretch along the top side of the body, from the back heel through the raised arm. The need to match a stretch along the underside of the torso is often neglected.

Pyramid Pose Intense Stretch Pose - Parsvottanasana

The Pyramid Pose is said to strengthen and stretch the entire leg and back regions, strengthens and tones the abdomen; improves the digestive system, massages the liver and stomach and improves the complexion, hair, eyes and cools the brain.

Mountain Pose - Tadasana

The Mountain Pose is said to be named so as it promotes the experience of stillness, strength, relaxed power, and immovable stability associated with mountains.

Of course there many, many more yoga poses for beginners, these will get you started and you can get the feel of it. Yoga can be invigorating even if using it's practice just to obtain physical fitness but it can bring more insight into yourself, those around you and a deeper understanding into life itself. A true instrument of learning that anyone can learn and take pleasure in.

Being one of life's senior's - fitness training doesn't necessarily come as easy to us as the younger generations. Learn more about getting into the swing of healthy living, fitness training and what's available on the Fitness Equipment market.

Yoga - Supplies Make A Difference

Loose-fitting and comfortable clothing are the most popular yoga supplies because some Asanas (yoga postures) demand a freedom of movement not offered by tight clothing.

Asanas are yoga-postures that promote a healthy internal body, increase muscle flexibility, tendon strength, and stamina.

Most yoga supplies are unnecessary or supplementary at best to a successful workout. The practice is designed to physically connect body and mind, but anything that makes a workout more comfortable and effective is worthwhile. Each yoga instructor will have his or her own style and equipment, whether it's inherited from their teacher or created as a melding of styles.

Instructors might also recommend mats/mat bags, blocks (adds strength/stability to postures), cushions, grips, and relaxing music/DVDs.

A yoga mat is a slender piece of foam rubber protecting the sharp angles of your body from the floor. While not strictly necessary, floor poses are going to be very painful without a yoga mat to provide a little padding.

A yoga mat bag protects your yoga mat from getting dirty or torn. It also provides a handy carrying case when you take your mat to and from yoga class. Even if you just practice yoga in our own home, a bag can still serve as a convenient way to store your mat when not in use.

Yoga balls allow you a range of stretching you couldn't normally achieve without this type of support. The balls are effective because not only do they stretch you well, but they also keep your back from being injured during the stretch. As with any method in yoga, it is wise to see the yoga ball stretches demonstrated for you before you try them on your own. Whether this demonstration comes from an instructor or an instructional DVD is up to you.

In addition to the mat, yoga balls and the yoga mat bag, there are a number of other useful and popular yoga supplies.

Yoga DVDs are a great way to stay in practice if you cannot afford daily lessons. Yoga DVDs are also great yoga supplies for beginners. They provide ongoing structure and encouragement to those practicing yoga.

Yoga blocks or grip blocks are two other pieces of equipment that can enhance and advance your yoga practice. Grip blocks are a wrist-stress reliever for certain poses, such as the "downward dog" pose. They are designed to bear your full body weight in place of your wrists.

Blocks also allow for deeper stretches and can expand your range of poses. To prevent serious injury, it's a good idea to view a demonstration of how to use yoga blocks before trying to use them yourself or you could get hurt. If your yoga instructor doesn't use or demonstrate blocks to you, blocks are usually sold with at least written instructions on how to use them. In this case, try to find blocks accompanied by instructional DVDs.

Yoga blocks are made from a variety of materials such as cork, bamboo, and lightweight foam. Blocks, also called bricks, are great yoga supplies that offer enhanced poses and deeper stretches.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and health and fitness. Her background also includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her useful articles on yoga, please visit Yoga Supplies, home of articles about yoga mats, yoga clothing, and more.