Beginning Yoga...where to start?

PolePrincessbrittiejean started this discussion · 4/10/2014

hello to all my pole friends. I got my pole 2 months back and I have used it a handful of times due to some family issues. however now that they're resolved or at least taken care of I am ready to dedicate myself to my pole journey. one of the places I want to start is with yoga yet I find myself drowning in non useful information. right now going to a class is out of the question so I'm doing it from home and I was just wondering where you guys began or if anyone has a good in depth website for an absolute beginner? Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!

8 replies

Runemist34 · 4/10/2014
Heyy! I'm interested to hear what people have to say about this, too! Also, I found this website: http://www.doyogawithme.com/ I haven't had the chance to try it yet, but it looks pretty cool! I took a class or two, and found it really nice- I think I prefer Hatha yoga? I know that some people prefer other kinds, though. From my understanding, the different kinds of yoga deal with different beliefs- Hatha yoga is more gentle, focuses on helping the body to become strong and flexible in a slower way. Ashtanga (I think?) yoga is a little tougher, believes that the body should bow beneath the spirit, so they tend to push harder. I should go get my yoga book and check my information though ;) lol
PolePrincessbrittiejean · 4/10/2014
Thank You! That website is pretty awesome. All the different types and all has my mind in an upwind....
Runemist34 · 4/10/2014
Yeah, the different types of yoga can be kind of confusing! I suppose I sort of don't subscribe to any of them in particular, though my book is specifically Hatha yoga, I purchased it more because it has pictures and explanations on how to get into and hold the moves, as well as some routines in the back with pictures. I've been meaning to get into yoga more, as I said, but I just haven't figured out a way of integrating it into my schedule! Getting up super early is not easy for me, and usually I just want to wake up slow, have my shower, and go at it that way. Yoga seems like exercise, and I tend to do exercise in the middle of my day... and I have a LOT of exercises to do! Running, rock climbing, dancing... we'll see how it goes ;) I wish you luck, though, in trying it out! Let us know how you're getting on!
Goddess KK · 4/10/2014
I have been doing yoga for almost a decade and I have a TON of good resources. The best one for a beginner that is free is download the Yoga Journal podcast classes from iTunes (if you don't have iTunes, I think you can actually DL them from yogajournal.com). The whole YJ website is an excellent resource, as it has lots of videos and articles about alignment which is CRUCIAL for beginner yoginis. I, actually, really strongly recommend you go to a studio for a few classes at the beginning, because this will set you up for good posture and alignment. Not learning the correct alignment can result in serious injuries. Something as simple as downdog (a fairly well known basic asana) has about a dozen plus points of alignment. After you get a good basic knowledge of the proper alignments, you can then do yoga at home online. Another great free video resource is yogayak on YouTube. They have full length classes that are really awesome. If you want to pay, yogaglo.com and yogadownload.com have cheap subscriptions and a TON of different style, level, and length classes. Hatha or iyengar yoga is good to start with because they specifically have a lot of focus on alignment and building strength. Then, once you have some yoga practice under your belt, you can look into like power yoga, forest yoga, or, my favorite, jivamukti yoga for more fast paced and intense styles. I like to mix it up and do different styles according to what part of my cycle I am at (hatha during the follicular phase, jivamukti during ovulation, I usually make up my own during the secretory phase, then I stick with yin yoga or restorative when my moon comes). I have attest that doing yoga has changed my life in more than just the physical. I have grown spiritually and psychologically because of an ongoing yoga practice. It is something I know is always there, no matter what is happening in my life. It was the best decision I made in college was to take a yoga class as my PE credit. When I started hooping about five years ago, I started combining the two and that pumped up my spirituality practices a lot. I have a lot of yoga experience and I am actually in the process of studying to be a teacher, so if you have any questions or anything, please ask!! Much love to you, sister, and good luck on your yoga journey!!
heather5598 · 4/10/2014
I would love some Yin Yoga resources if you're happy to share :)
Goddess KK · 4/10/2014
Heather, if you were asking me, yogaglo.com and yogadownload.com both have great yin yoga classes (you do have to pay subscription, though). You can also look up Noah Maze; you might be able to find some videos online of his yin classes. He is a great teacher and he is pretty easy on the eyes ;)
PolePrincessbrittiejean · 4/10/2014
@goddess and rune thank you guys so much....I am looking at yoga not just for the strength etc but also bc I am looking for that psychological/spiritual connection too which is why I was drawn to it....I hope that it helps me as much as I have heard others!
heather5598 · 4/10/2014
Thanks KK! Those sites both have a really nice vibe, I'm going to go with yogaglo for now. Here's to a gentle, calm yoga to balance out my hot, active pole work :)