Back Home to Yoga – Getting Started At Home…Again

I had been practicing yoga off an on for years. While yoga gave me a sense of physical and mental wellbeing that I have not been able to find anywhere else, there were always seemed to be obstacles preventing me from practicing. Some of those obstacles were mental. As a woman of Christian faith, I was incorrectly told the practice was in contradiction to my faith. As a Black woman, I found very little support for the practice in my community. But once I overcame these, my obstacles became time and money. I had to find the time to practice and I had to find the money to for instruction and equipment.

Beginning the practice of yoga can be akin to learning a new physical, mental and spiritual language. In a way, that is how I view my practice in connection with my Christian faith. It’s like being bilingual. Anyway…when learning a new practice like yoga it is suggested that you begin in a class with a real live teacher. Teachers have the knowledge and experience to guide you on a personal level and being in class with others builds community. When I was able to go to class I loved it. But classes can be expensive. The least expensive I have found are usually at community centers like the YMCA. But even then, a six week class can average $60.00 - $70.00 and some people, like me, just can’t afford that. So what do you do? Don’t give up just yet! Time and money don’t have to keep you from practice.

While yoga class is best, I have found that beginning yoga videos are a close second. And any yoga teacher would rather you practice with a video than not practice at all. There is a wide range to choose from and you can usually find a good title for under $15.00. If you feel like you would get bored with a video (as I would), a good plan would be to buy 1 video per month and master it, then get another. If you have a home computer or laptop you can also find free yoga videos online at www.yogatoday.com.

Financial benefits aside, there are a few other benefits that videos afford. The first benefit is being the able to practice when you want. The second would be that you can control your practice time. There are many times when I don’t make it through the whole video. But I am patient with myself and I try to do more each day. There is also another benefit that some don’t think about. If you are anything like me, you may find it awkward going to a class and not knowing anything. Even worse, what if you are uncoordinated or feel like a klutz? Video can at least introduce you to the basic poses and give you a sense of how a class might be conducted. While classes do vary, many of the poses are the same.

One more thing, if you find that videos at home get lonely, you can still find community by inviting a friend or two over to practice with you. Hosting an in home yoga practice can be fun and motivating too. Go ahead and make and event of it by sharing a healthy salad afterwards.

How do you feel about practicing at home? What about with friends? Maybe there are others in your area who would like to practice with you... Post your comments and Let us know.

Namaste

Tanisha Renee