Well, we’re half way through Yoga Month and I’m wondering how many of you have given it a try? There is a popular saying in yoga, “Practice with a beginner’s mind.” So if fear or uncertainty are holding you back, then don’t worry. You are guaranteed success your first time out!

Surprisingly, I can still recall the first yoga class I took over twenty years ago. Though I initially felt intimidated by the skillfulness of the other students in class (and somewhat by the strictness of the teacher!), I remember leaving the class with a sense that I had stumbled upon something that would transform not just the way I worked “out,” but the way I worked “in.” Turns out, I was right. The positive feelings I felt, but could not pinpoint back then, are now being validated by real science. More and more studies are revealing the health and wellness benefits of yoga.

So, don’t let yoga month slip by without using our handy Beginner’s Guide to yoga to help get your started. In addition to a brief overview of yoga, I have linked you up with Seraphina’s glossary of yoga terminology and guide to yoga styles. We hope these tools will help you navigate your first yoga experience with confidence.

What is Yoga?

Yoga’s history can be traced back thousands of years to India, where it originated as a philosophy and spiritual practice that permeated India culture and life. In Sanskrit, the word yoga, means “union” or “yoke,”  or to join or bring together. Simply put, the practice of yoga aims to bring together the body, mind and spirit in order to gain a deeper understanding and connection with oneself. Unlike a typical fitness based class where you may find yourself doing bicep curls and making your grocery list at the same time, yoga practice strives for the opposite. It asks you to bring your full attention and awareness to the experience (leave the grocery list for later), and be fully present in your practice. With practice, that’s why it is called “a practice”, the benefits then reach beyond the physical or cosmetic, and have a positive effect on your life as a whole.

While many original writings on yoga contained very little about the physical postures or poses (asanas), here in the Western part of the world, we probably recognize yoga most for the physical practice of the postures and the health and wellness benefits that can be enjoyed from regular practice.  As a beginner, you will soon realize that there are a variety of yoga styles that can be explored and practiced.  Finding a comfortable fit for yourself is an important first step in your yoga journey. While some styles focus more on the physical postures and improving aspects of fitness such as strength and flexibility, others may place more emphasis on breath work or meditation.

Why Has Yoga Become some Popular?

Maybe it is one of those, “right place at the right time,” kinda things, but it seems yoga’s time has come.  Feeling overwhelmed by the pace and pressures of life these days, people are seeking remedies to the stress or anxiety they may be feeling. Individuals facing chronic health challenges are also searching for alternatives to conventional treatments. Even health researchers and health care professionals are becoming more open to the possible role yoga may play in treating lifestyle related diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. The health and wellness benefits of yoga are no longer just anecdotal, but instead are being validated through science and research.

Get beyond the science though, and yoga can be just plain fun. As Timothy McCall, M.D. says in his book, Yoga As Medicine, “Most people who do it (yoga) regularly discover that yoga gets more interesting over time. I don’t know anybody who feels that way about stomach crunches.” Read further in his book and he will give you “40 Ways Yoga Heals,” including improving joint health, brain function, bone health, blood sugar levels, and psychological health to name just a few.

But perhaps one of the biggest reasons why the yoga population is growing these days, is that many are beginning to see it as an opportunity to be a participant in their own health and wellbeing. There is a sense of empowerment that comes from deepening your practice over time and knowing that you are playing an active role in your own health outcomes.

How To Get Started

Convinced enough to give it a try? Southern California is a mecca for yoga studios, so a quick web search should point you in the right direction. A visit to Glen Ivy during the remainder of Yoga Month is also a great opportunity to experience yoga in a beginner friendly environment. Not only that, we teach our yoga classes on the beautiful sprawling front lawn. How often do you get the opportunity to blend yoga with the great outdoors and then enjoy soaking your muscles in a warm hot springs! We also have a few exciting specialty yoga presenters lined up, if you would like to add some variety to your practice:

• Saturday,  September 17th: Theta Yoga, a gentle blend of Hatha Yoga and Theta Healing with Anke Banderski.
• Tuesday, September 20th: Aqua Yoga, a buoyant and lighthearted approach to yoga in the water.
• Friday, September 23rd: Inner Yoga, Holly Holliday Hill helps you learn how to connect with your own best teacher in this fun and transformational class.

Though yoga will be around long after Yoga Month 2011 is over, there is no better time to get your “beginners mind” to class. As always, we’d love to hear your yoga stories. We always find that your experiences in our monthly challenges are the one’s that are most inspiring to other readers. Let us know how you are doing. Namaste!

Meg Root

Meg Root is an ACE Certified Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist who works as a wellness educator and personal trainer in Corona, California. She has enjoyed the benefits of a personal yoga practice for over twenty years, with her primary focus on the Iyengar style of yoga, which puts specific emphasis on proper alignment in the yoga postures.  She has completed yoga teacher training workshops through UC Riverside Extension, and has also attended Iyengar Yoga training workshops with Senior Iyengar Yoga Teachers,  Manouso Manos and Dean Lerner.