Beginning Yoga

[Rawmommie]

I'm just beginning my journey into Yoga and meditation and was wondering if anyone here had any suggestions? I'm interested in the mental/spiritual aspect of Yoga more than getting a big workout.

I've been doing PM yoga with Patricia Warden and I've ordered a few more videos that range from beginner to intermediate yoga.

I'm very wobbly and was doing a lot of negative self talk about not being able to do it in the beginning, but I'm learning to quiet my mind now and just relax. Any tips, hints, or information anyone has for a beginner would be great!

Thanks,
Karen

[heather]

ERICH SCHIFFMAN has a wonderful book (great for everyone, especially the beginner) and all his videos are great. he is heavy on the meditation!!! Erich is a world renown yoga master and is very very cool. he also runs a yoga message board that i belong to....it is very informative. you should check it out!


Erich's site: http://www.movingintostillness.com
Erich's message board: http://p092.ezboard.com/bmovingintostillness

p.s. he kinda talks about God like AA does, as an everpresent higher power, so it is good for people of any religion. the meditation is about getting still so you can hear God. getting in tune with yourself so that you can become more balanced and more sensitive to God's presence. i love him and do not feel like it interferes with my catholic beliefs, AT ALL!!

[Rawmommie]

Heather, I knew you would respond first! I always admire your avatar pic. :)

Thank you so much for the info! I'm going to go check out those links now!
Karen

[heather]

thank you! that is a pic of Shiva Rea....from her Yoga Shakti DVD. thats another goodie!!! she teaches at Sacred Movement (which is where Erich also teaches) in Venice, CA.

[Rawmommie]

I just ordered Yoga Shakti!!! Yay! I've heard it can be difficult for beginners, but it sounded so perfect, I had to have it! :)

[SamL]

I have Erich Schiffman's 'beginning yoga' I find it gentle and easy to follow.
Lately I've been searching for a female instructor, only because I seek a balance, but I have always enjoy the simplicity and calm of Erich Schiffman's video.

[sweetgoddess]

Sam~check out this website
http://www.rainbeaumars.com/
She is a lovely yoga instructor and is raw!

Also, I mentioned I love Sara Ivanhoe. Here is a link where you can preview clips from her dvds.
http://www.collagevideo.com/instructor/sara-ivanhoe.htm?OVRAW=sara%20ivanhoe&OVKEY=sara%20ivanhoe&OVMTC=standard

These are my 2 favorite female instructors

Blessings!
Carmel

[SamL]

Thanks Carmel :) I ordered the set from http://www.rainbeaumars.com/ on your advice a few weeks ago.
I'm enjoying those too, I've been following the beginners one for a week.

Thanks for the other link.

[ren]

I am beginning yogini myself. I am starting my thirty day challenge tomorrow and last week I started getting up early and watching Wai Lana. I can't afford a yoga class yet but I am believing on God to provide the funds :D

[Vanessa ChingChan]

Namaste Karen!

My name is Vanessa. Well, about meditation, do you know the AMERICAN DEVANAND YOGA CENTER?
There you can learn more about meditation.
I do believe that yoga is much more than body balance, but to reach the four Great Principles in us:
TRUTH, LOVE, HARMONY and PEACE.

Maybe, if you want, you can have a look at there site:
http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&groupid=86409&ck=

"Activate the more subtle levels of your consciousness. Develop your creative intelligence.
Purify your intellect. Happiness is within you.
Remember there will not be world peace until there is peace in the heart of each human being." ( Swami Guru Devanand )

Shanti for you and your beautiful family.
Vanessa ChingChan - Holland
http://yoga.ioga.tripod.com/
.
.

[Rawmommie]

Thank you so much everyone for the links! I'm really enjoying learning and opening myself up to this. It feels amazing. :)

If anyone else has any other sites they love, I would love to hear about them!

[LadyP]

Hi Rawmommie, Also check out www.ishafoundation.org (http://)

LadyP

[AubreyG]

HI!

I have been a Yogini for going on 7 years. I am so excited every time some one tells me that they are discovering the wonders of Yoga for themselves, and that they are interested in incorporating it into their lives. I am a big fan of Rainbeau Mars. She has a DVD set called Sacred Yoga Practice; there is a Beginners practice (very gentle and easy) a Tranquility Practice (good for any level) a Sweat Practice (building on Vinyasa and Ashtanga poses and techniques for increasing internal body temperature to cause sweating and toxins release, which can be more challenging, but great) and a Power Practice, which I would recommend for upper beginner level-Intermediate. Her practices are inspiring, and she is wonderful at focusing on meditative aspects of yoga practice, even whilst in "sticky" poses (hard ones). She also has Yoga for Beauty, which includes Dawn and Dusk, each a different practice for the mornings and evenings. She also has Zen Momma, a prenatal practice. If you like those, I would also recommend Introduction to Ashtanga with Nicki Doane. Its an intro to suryanamaskar (sun salutations) A and B, and is easily adjustable to any level, especially beginner. They are meditative by their very nature, and are terrific to learn.

Check out www.yogajournal.com for a very comprehensive battery of information and link pertaining to the lifestyle of a Yogi or Yogini. Here you will find vegetarian recipes (a lot of which happen to be raw), ayurvedic health and healing tips, pictures and explantations of poses, and much more. You can also find links to studios and teachers in your area.

Hope this helps! Much brighteness to you on your path to tranquility through Yoga!

Namaste!
Aubrey