How do you know the best yoga class to take? There are so many different styles of yoga that it can be tough to figure out which one is the right one. You’ll find that there are as many health or fitness clubs offering to teach both beginning and advanced students of yoga the benefits of the art.
When you check the classes out, you’ll see that the styles vary from quiet, undemanding moves to intense, focused moves that make you wonder how you could ever do something that physical.
If you’re wondering which one to choose, follow these guidelines and let them lead you to the right class. First, ask yourself what you want out of the yoga class. What is it you hope to gain? Are you seeking a way to relax and learn how to meditate?
Or do you want something deeper, something that benefits you spiritually? Next ask what is your primary goal for taking a class? Do you have concrete ideas in mind? A goal you’d like to accomplish? In other words, do you want to lose weight? Strengthen your body and mind? Or are you looking to improve your overall health?
The best yoga class for beginners will be those taught by an instructor. You can usually locate a yoga instructor at an exercise club. If you’ve already studied yoga and are looking for a new class or want to get more in depth training, then you’d be better off seeking someone who teaches the art. Remember that the trainer is only as qualified as the knowledge he or she has about your physical condition.
Refrain from taking more rigorous yoga if you’re not used to any type of exercise at all. Granted, yoga is a GREAT way to start getting active again because it is gentle, but you may still need to get the okay from your family doctor if you have a pre-existing medical condition that yoga might aggravate.
For example, while certain styles of yoga can help limber the joints, if you have arthritis, your instructor needs to know this so that you can both watch out for your health. Don’t expect to ‘get’ yoga after a couple of classes. It takes a while to fully absorb and learn the practice.
If you’re a novice, Kripalu is one of the better forms of yoga to start with because it’s not as tough on those just starting out. There’s also Yin Yoga which is popular because you hold the poses a little longer than other forms of yoga. For those who have already mastered some forms of yoga and are looking for something that pushes their limits, then Ashtanga or Iyengar is a great yoga to practice.
When trying to decide what the best yoga class is for you to take, always remember, that you can start out slow, with a gentler yoga and move up once you get the hang of that one. You can even consider some online yoga classes.
All forms of yoga help users to learn how to relax and reach a point of inner calm. The hardest part is getting started, but once you learn the discipline, you’ll be pleased with the end results.
All the best,
Patti
