Question about yoga!?

Question

I am very new to yoga but i will be starting a beginners class here soon. what i want to know is: what kind of results should i see? I am 5' 7" and 125 pounds. I've heard that it will tone me up, will it? and how fast?

also, is there anything else i should know before i start?

Answer 1

Yoga will teach you how to breathe properly and may help you be more relaxed.  It can be a very good workout if you are in a power yoga class, but that is not how you should begin.  I hope your class will start at the beginning with breathing, stretching, and proper form.  It does tone, build strength, and make you more flexible, but all that takes months of regular classes, so don't give up too soon.  

I usually take a hand towel because I don't like to rest my forehead on my mat where I've been sweating.  The class will probably offer blankets, straps, and blocks.  You may eventually want to own your own.  Some classes use no props.  You can purchase really nice mats at cheap places like T.J. Maxx but $12.  Get one that is kind of thick.  Classes typically last 60-90 minutes.  You won't be able to do everything at first--just keep trying and one day you'll notice that you did it!  Good luck and have fun!

Answer 2

hey lily,

Its great that you are taking up yoga!! You are definately going to LOVE it!  

Well, your question will depend on what type of yoga you have chosen to learn. Usually beginners might want to try taking up Hatha yoga first before moving on to Vinyasa (Hatha Flow) or Asthanga.

This is what I have been doing....I joined a Beginners Hatha yoga class and I go for it twice a week. And I bought a couple of yoga DVDs (Denise Austin's yoga burn and Kathy Smith's the New yoga challenge) and do those at home twice a week.

You will need to learn your asanas (poses) with an open mind and keep breathing in and out. Be mindful when you do yoga. If you can concentrate, you will realise that you will be more aware of your body and also your mind.

Yoga helps tone up. Hatha is mostly stretching, but as you progress, you will learn that it will tone you up. Vinyasa is more cardio, its a series of hatha poses, done in a more fast paced sequence. Both are good to target core muscles.

I noticed that I am more toned up now. I didnt think that I will fall in love with yoga, but I have!! And after each workout, i feel great about myself!

I hope you will love it. Be patient, and you will look and feel fantastic in no time!