Starting in July, I’ll be taking a yoga class. I’m wicked excited about it, but there’s one problem: I know absolutely nothing about yoga. I’m thinking this might make actually participating in class slightly difficult. So, Dopers, give me some hints and tips. What should I look for when purchasing a yoga mat? Is “Yoga for Dummies” a worthwhile book on the subject? Should I look into yoga instruction DVDs? What inspired you to get into yoga?
The most important thing about yoga: breathe. It’s really that simple.
I have a very thin “sticky mat” that makes the standing poses so much easier. You can get them just about anywhere now, even Wal Mart or Target. Keeps your feet from slipping, and isn’t all bunchy. It’s some rubbery stuff. Easy to keep clean too.
I <3 yoga. I’ve gotten out of practice, but I used to do an hour and a half (in 2 separate sessions) a day up until recently. I do it for the calming/relaxing effect it has… I use it as a type of moving meditation, as it were.
You don’t have to be uberflexible or a gymnast to do yoga, most of the postures (asanas) are not at all what you think when you hear the word yoga. It’s all about ahimsa, non-violence… listening to your body and doing what you can.
Hope you enjoy it! It’s hard not to. Thanks for reminding me to get my ass back into gear and break out my mat.
I took yoga in high school instead of regular gym for a year, which was a great experience because the teacher also knew some tai chi and we did that too. Bless my school for having alternatives to soccer and dodgeball!
In college, they had free yoga classes twice a week that I went to a handful of times. What I learned in that class is that you never have to push yourself further than what you’re capable of. <i>If you can’t touch your nose to your knee, it’s okay! Only go as far as you can!</i> If you over extend yourself, you can end up with some very sore muscles the next day, as happened with me and my back.
As for purchasing a yoga mat, only thing I can suggest is that it’s long enough to cover you head to toe when laying down.
Yea saramamlana nailed it on the head. The practice is about you, not the people around you. Only go into each pose as much as you can, don’t push or strain yourself.
Learn to breathe through your nose. Some teachers do breathing exercises at the start/end of the class, they help a lot. I’d say once you get confortable with some postures learn ujai breath. You will probably hear otehr students do it, it’s a loud breath from the back of your throat. Try sighing out your mouth a few times, then close your mouth and make the same signing sound. So you will be making a sort of sigh through your nose, then slow down your breath. Ujai breath heats up your inner core and allows you to release your muscle easier, if you are able to keep yourself aware of your breathe the whole session, you will be much more relaxed.
Another little tip. For balancing poses, espiecially 1 leg balance poses. Keep your eye on a fixed dot on the wall or the floor somewhere. You will see your balance improve instantly by just keeping your gaze strait ahead and staring at 1 point on the wall.
I’m a yoga teacher by the way. I’d give ya a lot more tips but don’t want to oevrwhelm ya. Good luck at your first class, hope you enjoy it!
I bought my mat at Borders.
I’ve started doing it regularly. Even having balance problems because of multiple sclerosis doesn’t stop being able to do yoga with the appropriate modifications.
This is all about hatha yoga?
Yup!
You should know if the studio provides mats! 
Otherwise, know that it can be a surprisingly tough workout-- and that some of the people in there will be so flexible that you’ll cry in shame.
As long as you realize it isn’t competitive, it should inspire awe and not shame where some students are in their flexibility.
Exactly. It might intimidate you at first, you will say, “wow, i’ll never be able to do that.”
But the point of yoga is not to ‘complete the posture’, but to do it to the best of your ability. There is no way to complete a posture, you are always improving yourself each day.
And yea it shouldn’t be competitive either. Gotta realize some people are born with longer ligaments and are just born flexible. Some people have been doing yoga for years. Just focus on yourself and you will be much more confortable.
I use the Basic Yoga Workout for Dummies DVD.
With some modifications(I can’t do Downward Facing Dog because with my MS, it makes me dizzy), I can do the 45 minute routine.
I do it to the best of my ability, being careful not to over do.
It really relaxes me, and leaves me feeling that I have energy for taking on the rest of my day.
My instructor constantly demonstrates modifications that make the positions easier or more challenging, as needed.
Don’t be afraid to individualize the routine so that it fits you. No one around you is watching you to see if you drop a knee to help support yourself. Everyone is focused on themselves.
Not knowing anything about it isn’t much of a handicap, I’ve found.
Be aware that it’s more of a workout than you might expect. I have little aches in places where I didn’t know I had muscles.
Simple request from one of “the people around you” at the gym.
Please, please, PLEASE stop walking around the gym barefoot. I’m not into yoga, but am all for whatever you like to do in terms of your physical, mental, or spiritual well being. Just please keep your bare feet to your yoga matt and not where everyone else is exercising.
Thank you and Yoga On!
MeanJoe
P.S. - Obviously this does not mean YOU in particular as I doubt YOU are the patchulli smelling hippie yoga guy I am referring to at my gym who does this. 
I’m very much a beginner. I started taking classes last year in Iyengar yoga, which I believe is a variation of hatha yoga. From their web site FAQ:
I have some of the videos/DVDs from www.gaiam.com - I bought a video called “Back Care Yoga” or something like that, and have purchases two DVDs from the same manufacturer (one is for relaxation, and one is a “Yoga for Beginners” or something like that), but must confess that I haven’t used them yet. The back care tape is excellent, though.
I’d love to find a class that uses the balance ball. I used to take a (non yoga) balance ball class that was wonderful for my back. Of course, I have a ball at home, but it’s currently collecting dust. I’m actually getting a DVD from the same place on the balance ball. The also have a yoga CD specifically designed for people who work a a computer all day - it has little 5 minute yoga breaks that you can do at your desk, mostly while sitting in your chair. It pops up a reminder every couple of hours.
It is pretty amazing how much of a workout you are getting, even at a beginner level, when a casual observer would think you are doing no work at all. As others have said, just be aware of your own limitations and listen to what your body is telling you. My instructor always makes a big deal out of this at the first class of each session - “Even if I’m telling you to do something, if you’re body is telling you to stop, you need to stop.” This may not happen to you, but I found that the first three or four classes actually made me worse after I left class, but after that I had some sort of breakthrough and then I started feeling much better after I left class.
My flexibility was actually pretty decent to start - it’s my balance that’s bad. I’m starting to see improvements, though.
Good Luck! I think you’ll enjoy it. I don’t know many people that start yoga that don’t like it.
Iyengar is pretty fun, I like using the chair for backbends. Using props and precision you learn very proper technique, which you can apply to other classes if you wanted. Part of my training was in Iyengar, it is good to try a few Iyengar classes just for the precise adjustments you learn.
Also using blocks can be very helpful. Theres another tip, if they provide blocks for you at your studio, grab 1-2 of them. If you can’t reach the floor in some poses, use a block to lean on.
But when you first start stretching your muscles, they will tighten up. You will feel a bit tighter, say, in your hamstrings. But after a few more sessions you will loosen up.
This is all great advice, guys! Thanks so much. 
I feel like I need something to help me be more balanced/focused both physically and emotionally/mentally – from what y’all have said here, yoga does seem like a good place to start.