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First, I’m NOT a yoga expert; hopefully you will hear from some. Yoga is a type of mind-body practice that really requires at least a bit of serious guidance, more than can be taught over the internet. Videos, DVDs, or classes would be a good way to start. I got some great yoga videos second-hand. The Yoga Journal produces an excellent series of videos and DVDs, which are heavy on safety and proper technique. Best wishes, and good luck!
I highly recommend you go to a yoga studio and take a Hatha yoga class. A class called “Hatha Yoga” is generally going to be beginner-level. A teacher can help you learn all the yoga poses and get into proper alignment – trying to learn that from a video is tricky. Once you know the poses, you can certainly do them on your own.
A few tips for your first class: wear workout clothes that are non-binding at the waist and not thick (no fleece, for example). Drink water ahead of time and have a healthy snack about 2 hours before class. Be prepared for poses that will help you build strength, balance and flexibility. At the end of a yoga class, there’s usually a short meditation/relaxation period in a darkened room. No stress after that!
Remember yoga originated out of Hinduism. Most people only know the physical forms of yoga, called hatha, but those techniques area actually preparatory techniques for the higher practices of the spiritual types of yoga such as jnana, karma, and bhakti.
If you are interested in the yoga teachings of Lord Krishna, then one thing you may want to focus on to learn and practice in a more nonsectarian manner is the Uddhava Gita. The Uddhava Gita is a summation of the essence of the Bhagavad Gita (and the simplest and most direct practice of yoga), and so it is eminently suitable for nonsectarian, universal teaching which is the essence of Hinduism.
Here is a short summation of the Uddhava Gita which is found in the Srimad Bhagavatam (also known as Bhagavata Purana) 11.7:
EPILOGUE – LORD KRISHNA’S LAST SERMON
At the end of another long sermon comprising of more than one thousand verses, disciple Uddhava said: “O Lord Krishna, I think the pursuit of God as You narrated to Arjuna (in the Bhagavad Gita), and now to me, is very difficult indeed, for most people; because it entails control of unruly senses. Please tell me a short, simple, and easy way to God-realization.” Lord Krishna upon Uddhava’s request gave the essentials of Self-realization as follows:
· Do your duty, to the best of your ability, for Me without worrying about the outcome.
· Remember Me at all times. (Note that this is the point of chanting things like the mahamantra – Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Kare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare which is often chanted in kirtan or a variation of it. The whole point of kirtan and mantra is remembrance.)
· Perceive that God is within every living being. Mentally bow down to all beings and treat all beings equally.
· Perceive through the activities of mind, senses, breathing, and emotions that the power of God is within you at all times, and is constantly doing all the work using you as a mere instrument and a trustee.
I recommend the International Gita Society as they are nonsectarian, offer affordable translations of the Bhagavad Gita with commentary, and can help teach you the basics without having to spend a lot of money or submit to some guru you know nothing about:
They also have an online Gita study and discussion forum:
September 20th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
brinker
First, I’m NOT a yoga expert; hopefully you will hear from some. Yoga is a type of mind-body practice that really requires at least a bit of serious guidance, more than can be taught over the internet. Videos, DVDs, or classes would be a good way to start. I got some great yoga videos second-hand. The Yoga Journal produces an excellent series of videos and DVDs, which are heavy on safety and proper technique. Best wishes, and good luck!
September 21st, 2008 at 9:57 am
gabrrodg
I highly recommend you go to a yoga studio and take a Hatha yoga class. A class called “Hatha Yoga” is generally going to be beginner-level. A teacher can help you learn all the yoga poses and get into proper alignment – trying to learn that from a video is tricky. Once you know the poses, you can certainly do them on your own.
A few tips for your first class: wear workout clothes that are non-binding at the waist and not thick (no fleece, for example). Drink water ahead of time and have a healthy snack about 2 hours before class. Be prepared for poses that will help you build strength, balance and flexibility. At the end of a yoga class, there’s usually a short meditation/relaxation period in a darkened room. No stress after that!
Have fun
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
stadk
Remember yoga originated out of Hinduism. Most people only know the physical forms of yoga, called hatha, but those techniques area actually preparatory techniques for the higher practices of the spiritual types of yoga such as jnana, karma, and bhakti.
If you are interested in the yoga teachings of Lord Krishna, then one thing you may want to focus on to learn and practice in a more nonsectarian manner is the Uddhava Gita. The Uddhava Gita is a summation of the essence of the Bhagavad Gita (and the simplest and most direct practice of yoga), and so it is eminently suitable for nonsectarian, universal teaching which is the essence of Hinduism.
Here is a short summation of the Uddhava Gita which is found in the Srimad Bhagavatam (also known as Bhagavata Purana) 11.7:
EPILOGUE – LORD KRISHNA’S LAST SERMON
At the end of another long sermon comprising of more than one thousand verses, disciple Uddhava said: “O Lord Krishna, I think the pursuit of God as You narrated to Arjuna (in the Bhagavad Gita), and now to me, is very difficult indeed, for most people; because it entails control of unruly senses. Please tell me a short, simple, and easy way to God-realization.” Lord Krishna upon Uddhava’s request gave the essentials of Self-realization as follows:
· Do your duty, to the best of your ability, for Me without worrying about the outcome.
· Remember Me at all times. (Note that this is the point of chanting things like the mahamantra – Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Kare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare which is often chanted in kirtan or a variation of it. The whole point of kirtan and mantra is remembrance.)
· Perceive that God is within every living being. Mentally bow down to all beings and treat all beings equally.
· Perceive through the activities of mind, senses, breathing, and emotions that the power of God is within you at all times, and is constantly doing all the work using you as a mere instrument and a trustee.
I recommend the International Gita Society as they are nonsectarian, offer affordable translations of the Bhagavad Gita with commentary, and can help teach you the basics without having to spend a lot of money or submit to some guru you know nothing about:
They also have an online Gita study and discussion forum:
I hope these are helpful!