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| Yep...more questions from me...
Ok, I know that there are all different "kinds" of yoga styles...hatha, birkram, etc. What I want to know is, do you have to pick one?
I mean, as I said before, it's going to be a while before I can take real classes. I need to have a good idea about the poses before I can actually do much of a flow/sequence with them. I'd much rather go slowly and do it right than try to rush, obviously.
So I guess my long winded problem/question here is...how do I find out "What kind of yoga is right for me?"
Edited by faeya 2007-07-02 10:48 PM
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 8440
    
| There are many yoga styles that do not "flow" and it is absolutely not a requirement. Iyengar and Bikram are two that do not flow. You do not have to choose ever - you can go from class to studio to class to workshop to your little heart's content  One style will likely grab you, though. Just stay open to the possibilities and enjoy the journey.  |
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| Hello,
This is a great and intricate question.
I'm assuming that you're looking for a physical form of yoga that focuses on postures (asana) - thus Hatha Yoga.
Now what style of Hatha Yoga?
A quick search on the internet or perhaps glance at your local studio schedule will show you that there are many styles...
I would suggest going to a class - preferably with a teacher that is accustomed to beginners. A 'real' class is one that allows students to experience in their own bodies and minds - the essence of yoga.
No worries if you move slowly. In fact - moving with mindfulness is far more beneficial that flowing willy-nilly through a series of poses.
Anyhow - I could go on and on. Here's a link to a blog that I posted in your honour.
peace,
Sonja
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| What kind of Yoga Right for You? There is no answer to this question, because it assumes that there are many many types of Yogas and you know all of them, and there is one amongst them which is right for you. The fact is : There are not many types of Yoga. There is ONLY one type, and that is Type=Yoga. And, it is always right for all. When you do Yoga Practice, there are many elements in it, such as exercise, meditation, etc. etc. All these practices ultimately go into that one Yoga Type = Meditation. When you talk about exercises of physical kind, there is no number of types of them, they are infinite. There are some popular in the market, and some even unknown to the Western World. What I suggest is: For physical exercises, just learn whatever you want from wherever you want, and then form your own practice of what you like and continue. In the field of meditation, you do the same. After sufficient practice, you shall know that ONE Type which is for all, and which is the real type.
faeya - 2007-07-02 10:48 PM
Yep...more questions from me...
Ok, I know that there are all different "kinds" of yoga styles...hatha, birkram, etc. What I want to know is, do you have to pick one?
I mean, as I said before, it's going to be a while before I can take real classes. I need to have a good idea about the poses before I can actually do much of a flow/sequence with them. I'd much rather go slowly and do it right than try to rush, obviously.
So I guess my long winded problem/question here is...how do I find out "What kind of yoga is right for me?"
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 2772
Location: Seattle, Washington | I love this forum!
It is entirely possible to simply wander out in the street of yoga and be run over by this style or that style. It is possible to wander there and grab onto one or the other. It is possible to continue wandering into the road and grab something different perhaps each time.
And this is an okay way to go and do some things, an event, an activity.
If, however, you are trying to get from Los Angeles to New York, this method might get you there over time, accidentally with many wanderings into the traffic.
From this we can see several things.
What I suggest is to clarify your intention for Yoga. What is it, beyond "benefits", that you are hoping to come away with, experience, reveal, or cultivate? It would be nearly impossible to evaluate this style of yoga or that style of yoga without an intention that has been mulled and/or clarified. Without an intention it is just some slightly pragmatic opinion for chat on a Yoga Forum. In that instance it doesn't matter if it's Shrubbery Yoga, Murky Yoga, Mo' Yoga, or PowWow Yoga.
Once you have an intention then you can consider what offering(s) might align with your intention. For example my intention when I began practicing in 1999 was to replace basketball with an activity that didn't hammer my body as much. I wanted to move and workout and use my body but I did not want it to hurt for three days after. So I began a power yoga practice.
If I was hoping to find an "inner peace", reach samadhi, become enlightened as quickly as possible, or unleash the dormant energy in the base of my spine, then another yoga practice might have been better suited.
Edited by purnayoga 2007-07-06 12:41 AM
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| There are at least two ways:
1) By clearly identifying your goals, and then pick a style that seems best suited.
2) By trying styles and teachers until you find one that clicks with you.
Remember to take it easy and observe your reactions to each class you take. It pays to go slow and look inward!
Best, Steve |
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| I did not find a style more than I found a teacher. She could teach anything I would be here student.
It was place in where I comfortable, it was a place in where I learned a ton and was happy to be there... |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 1425
| Choosing a Style and Teacher
Before you can choose a yoga teacher, you need to decide which style of Yoga best fits you.
To find that initial style that suits you, attend as many different classes as you can in your area. You can also check out books, videos and DVDs from the public library. Define your objectives and ask the studio how they will meet them. Ask about the studio's Yoga philosophy and instruction philosophy. Many studios will offer a free first class and then after class try to get you to make a commitment. Don’t agree to anything or make any financial commitments until you have tried them all and are sure. Don’t let a studio’s sales pitch influence you. Your body will tell you which is best for you if you listen.
Once you have decided on an initial style, you need to choose a teacher. There may be many different teachers at the studio that you choose or several different studios that you like. The limiting factor when choosing a studio is often proximity to either your home or your work. The limiting factor when choosing a teacher is usually time; which teacher teaches a class at a convenient time for your schedule. If the time is not a good one for you, you will not continue over the long run. Remember, you are not marrying this person, you are purchasing a service. If you aren’t happy with one teacher’s style, try another. Don’t be afraid to ask what training, experience and certification a teacher has. Once you are happy with your teacher, taking other classes with other teachers is not being unfaithful. Learn a technique from as many different perspectives as possible, then learn as many techniques as possible. Be consistent in your practice. Practice at home as well as in the studio.
Committing to one primary style of Yoga is good for beginners because mixing different styles at this point will lead to confusion. You need to start with a good solid basis. Take your time and be consistent. As you advance, trying other styles can broaden and deepen your practice. If you don’t learn various styles at the intermediate level, you risk becoming narrow in your practice and only learning someone else’s Yoga without ever finding your own. Each of the great teachers developed a style of Yoga that worked for them and for their unique students at a particular time and place. Iyengar, Jois and Desikachar all learned Yoga from Krishnamacharya and each went on to develop their own unique Yoga. Krishnamacharya always said that the Yoga should fit the student, not the student fit the Yoga. Even though some may proclaim their style of Yoga to be “universal,” it is still “their Yoga.” Do not mechanically follow someone else, no matter how “advanced” they may seem to be. “Stand on the shoulders of the past,” including your own past. (Your teacher may tell you not to try other styles, but they really do have a conflict of interest here). Don’t become a superficial imitation. You have a unique body, mind, and spirit. Find it. Find “your Yoga.” Find it new every day.
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| I'm no expert on answering your question - however, what has helped me quite a bit was just researching and reading up on the history and types of Yoga available. It is overwhelming to try to find the right teacher, type, path, etc. I just started reading the definitions of each kind of Yoga and decided to focus on only the physical flow as found in Hatha Yoga first. Some of the other yoga types are lifestyle focused such as Kriya Yoga. At some point I'll look more at lifestyle change but will stick to Hatha for now. Don't know if that helps but a beginners perspective. |
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| "All life is Yoga." It means human life itself is yoga because many things are united in human organism.
-- Sri Aurobindo
Aum Namah Sivaya |
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Yoga Types?
