Been doing yoga for a little while now. I been doing bodyflow classes from les mills. Any suggestions for new people who recently have gotten into yoga? Like what type of classes would you suggest?
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Been doing yoga for a little while now. I been doing bodyflow classes from les mills. Any suggestions for new people who recently have gotten into yoga? Like what type of classes would you suggest?
Hi @crystalpacheco! My biggest bit of advice to beginners is to bring awareness to your breath--every single movement coordinates to an inhalation or an exhalation. The mind can wander a lot during a practice, and you have to train to a) recognize that when it happens rather than let the thoughts carry you off, and b) bring focus back to the breath when you recognize it. Conscious use of your breath unlocks a lot of power! I use a breathing technique called "ujjayi" when I practice--you can read more about that here.
As far as classes go, please read my reply to @ytho on this post for more on what I really think of them. It definitely can be valuable for a beginner to have in-person demonstrations (and hopefully adjustments if the instructor is competent). The type really depends on what you want to get out of a practice; there are soooooo many styles out there! For a really weird but classic yoga experience that's more about tuning into, harnessing, and developing your own energy, try kundalini. For something powerful with lots of strength (and in my experience, not too much narration by the instructor), try ashtanga. For a challenging detox, try bikram (= hot yoga). For something relaxing, try yin (also called restorative)...I think yin yoga is probably a good place to start for most people. There are also straight up meditation or breathwork classes if that's what you like!
I suggest finding a setting you're comfortable in and people you really like to practice with. I also recommend experimenting to find the style that you like best!