Yoga?

Jayjay

I've been looking into meditation and mindful practices and things that bring the mind and body together and a lot of what comes up goes to yoga. I have absolutely no experience in yoga and I'm a guy. Any suggestion for starters? What physical condition do you need to be? What should I do? For how long? How often? hahaha I don't know anything so any advice would be greatly obliged. Thank you all! Lots of love

Telly03

We recently did a yoga thread @jayjay ... Here you go http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/13349/discovered-yoga#Item_29

Mountains

See my reply in the other thread on this. I'm a guy and I do yoga. I have several male yoga teachers. Yoga was invented by men (for the most part). Nothing gender related about it.

Depending on what kind of shape you're in to start with, yoga shouldn't be a big deal. One thing many people do is to over-do it. Start easy and work your way into it. Start with a beginner yoga class. You need to learn some basics about various postures, some of the Sanskrit words used to describe things, and (THE most important thing) how NOT to injure yourself. Over-doing things is the quickest way to injure yourself. Yoga is not a contest, and nothing says you have to look like the professional athletes who pose for the pictures in the yoga books and videos. I don't even know any yoga teachers who look like that. You need to learn what works for your body and respect what your body tells you about various poses and exercises. If it tells you not to do something, respect that and back off a little. Maybe tomorrow you'll be able to do it. Or maybe not. Challenge yourself, but be respectful of your body. It knows more than you do

Find a good yoga teacher (ask around - word of mouth is the best advertising) and talk with him/her about your specific situation. Beginner yoga may seem dumb, but you'll be glad you started small, even if you are able to progress rapidly. Like any other endeavor, there is a learning curve. Don't expect to be an expert overnight or because you read a book or watched a video. As my teacher says, check your ego at the door.

It's a GREAT way to get in shape, build strength, and become more flexible than you ever imagined you could be. Learning to work with your breath is also a great adjunct to your meditation practice, in addition to the yoga being a kind of moving meditation in itself.

Jayjay

Thank you @Mountains. That's a lot of information and I found it all helpful. I inquired at a local yoga class, and I quote, was told "We do not accept male participants. It is mainly a female exercise and would make the female participants feel uncomfortable" I was slightly agitated by this. But I understand so I will search for other places. For now I bet youtube can help! I can start with maybe a couple beginner positions on my own unless its too difficult or looks like it requires guidence. I would just like to get into a regular program. I meditate on my own time alone but this seems like this is the kind of scheduled thing you should do with an instructor or in a class. Like weight lifting. I never go without a spotter. Thanks again!

Mountains

That then, is a yoga studio to stay far, far away from. Clearly they have no earthly idea what yoga is about.

Jayjay

This is true. Hahahha I just found a local class run through a Chiropractic office so I'll be giving it a try! Thanks again for the help!

charirama

I am a middle aged male and I had been interested in Yoga for a long time but kept putting it off. About five years ago I had a severe case of tendonitis and thought I was finished as a professional guitarist. When I finally got to the cause and cure of my problem, which was actually in my shoulders, it was recommended that I do Yoga to "keep this open".

I was very fortunate to find a couple of very good Iyengar teachers and it is one of the best things I have ever done. I now feel that the tendonitis was a gift because it affected me in a way that provided the motivation I needed to start Yoga.

http://www.bksiyengar.com/

LittleMighty

For now I bet youtube can help!

I use Youtube for Yoga as well. While there are a lot of good beginner videos they all seem to lack the breathing aspect. That's something I've kind of had to teach myself as I go.

DaltheJigsaw

I am a middle aged male and I had been interested in Yoga for a long time but kept putting it off. About five years ago I had a severe case of tendonitis and thought I was finished as a professional guitarist. When I finally got to the cause and cure of my problem, which was actually in my shoulders, it was recommended that I do Yoga to "keep this open".

I was very fortunate to find a couple of very good Iyengar teachers and it is one of the best things I have ever done. I now feel that the tendonitis was a gift because it affected me in a way that provided the motivation I needed to start Yoga.

http://www.bksiyengar.com/

Thank you for sharing your story! I been doing Kriya Yoga and Power Yoga. Any thoughts on these two practices?

DaltheJigsaw

For now I bet youtube can help!

I use Youtube for Yoga as well. While there are a lot of good beginner videos they all seem to lack the breathing aspect. That's something I've kind of had to teach myself as I go.

I totally agree! Breathing is one of the most important aspects of an cultivation.

charirama

Thank you for sharing your story! I been doing Kriya Yoga and Power Yoga. Any thoughts on these two practices?

I'm sorry, I am not familiar with either of those. My only experience is with Hatha Yoga and Iyengar.

charirama

I use Youtube for Yoga as well. While there are a lot of good beginner videos they all seem to lack the breathing aspect. That's something I've kind of had to teach myself as I go.

I recommend the book "Light on Pranayama: The Yogic Art of Breathing" by B.K.S Iyengar

http://www.amazon.com/Light-Pranayama-Yogic-Art-Breathing/dp/0824506863