Open your heart, open your mind, and let yoga enrich your life!
Welcome to my living room, where I will use my years of experience to help you learn to practice yoga postures safely, no matter your body build or skill level, right in your own home. I will give you precautions, show you how to use simple props that you already have around your home, and explain how you can make yoga work for you in your daily life in fun and interesting ways.
First of all, let me say that you can do yoga safely at home. However, if you want personal help, find a gentle yoga class with an instructor who watches the students and gives hands-on assists in the postures, encourages you to modify postures to suit your body, and cautions you if you have health issues regarding blood pressure, weight, joint or spinal problems, heart problems, etc. A good teacher knows what is going on with each of her students and creates safety for each one. I'm sorry to say these teachers are sometimes hard to find. Many teachers will let you observe or join in a class without charge the first time. It helps to let a teacher know what you are looking for. Accommodating you might well make her a better teacher!
Yoga is about consciousness, so your first lesson is to become more conscious of how you are breathing throughout the day, more conscious of what you are putting in your mouth, and more conscious of how you stand and sit and walk. This is not about criticizing yourself, but just an exercise in noticing. You might even start a simple yoga journal, and write down some of the things you notice about yourself. But don't make judgments!
Another thing you can do is gather some props. Here's what I recommend:
1)The only thing you need to buy is a "sticky mat". These are sold at WalMart, Target, and other stores, ranging in price from $10 -$20. Be sure your mat is indeed a STICKY mat, not just a padded exercise mat, but a mat that will actually keep your bare feet from slipping when you stand with your legs are wide apart. They are made of neoprene, nothing else, and are about 62" or more long when unrolled, and about 2 feet wide, and about 1/4" thick. You need this whether you work on a carpeted or hard surface.
2) An old necktie, soft belt, or narrow cotton scarf, to use as a tie--at least the length of a man's necktie. (Available at thrift stores for very low prices.)
3) Two very firm cushions, about 12" square. They need to be firm so that when you sit on them, they actually hold your bum off the floor 2" - 4" inches. Squashy pillows are no help whatsoever, and that's probably all you'll find in the stores, so go to a thrift store where there will be a bin of older, firmer pillows, and wash them or put pillow slips on them.
4) Optional props include a blanket (various uses), a rolled hand towel to put under the back of your neck, and a soft washcloth to cover your eyes during relaxation.
Our first class will incorporate some or all of these, so be ready!
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