If you’re new to yoga, the number of different styles and forms can be confusing. Your best option is to take a class at your local gym, or at a local studio – most beginners start with Hatha Yoga.

If you’re in a location where classes are not available, or you can’t travel, then you certainly can learn yoga from a book or DVD.

If you’re learning on your own, here are some tips which will help:

* Choose a book or DVD which is clearly marked as a “beginners” instruction manual. Although yoga may look relaxing, it’s not. You’ll find that you’re using every muscle in your body, even if it looks as if you’re standing still. If you try to perform at an Intermediate level you may hurt yourself, or decide that yoga is too difficult ;

* Focus on one pose at a time. You don’t need to learn every single yoga asana (pose) – and you can’t, because there are thousands of them. Just spend ten to 15 minutes a day on one pose, as well as a meditation;

* Remember that you’re not in competition with anyone, and there’s no such thing as “perfect” form. You don’t need to perform any of the poses perfectly to get a great workout.

[tags]learn yoga, yoga, beginners, poses, asanas[/tags]

Should you take yoga classes or learn on your own? You can buy DVDs or read books, after all.

However, yoga classes are, for the most part, a much better idea, because then you are able to have a teacher right there with you. You’ll also be inspired and motivated by the other students. It’s difficult to learn yoga completely on your own if you’ve never taken a single class. Once you’ve seen and experienced the basic asanas, then you can certainly continue on your own if this is more convenient for you.

Find a yoga studio that is in your area. There are yoga studios in most cities, and in many towns.

Yoga teachers also teach in work places. If your company provides a gym, explain your interest in yoga to the manager, who may be able to arrange someone to hold a series of classes.

[tags]yoga, yoga classes, DVDs, books[/tags]

If you’re a beginning yoga student, you may have heard of the various paths of yoga philosophy.

The four most basic which are: Raja, the path of physical and mental control; Karma, the path of action; Bhakti, the path of devotion; and Jnana, the path of knowledge or wisdom.

Each of these different yoga paths has its own separate traits, and for instance with Raja, this is often known as the ‘royal road’ and it is considered as being the most complete yoga because it is the one which focuses on controlling both the mind and body in order to attain enlightenment, rather than just one or the other.

Karma yoga is one which focuses more on the causes and effects of an individual’s actions, and it basically teaches a person how to live a life of spiritual action and selfless service. Karma yoga achieves union with God through this right action and selfless service.

Bhakti yoga is the path which is most followed in India, and it involves the surrendering of oneself to the Divine through prayer, worship, and ritual. Chanting or singing the praises of whatever divine presence is meaningful to you form an incredibly substantial part of this yoga.

Finally, with Jnana yoga, this is the one which is most often considered as being the most difficult path, because it requires a radical shift in perception. The goal of this path is to seek the knowledge that is hidden in all of us.

In beginners yoga you will start with hatha yoga, focusing on the postures. However, as you gain experience, you may be intrigued enough to pursue yoga philosophy.

[tags]yoga, philosophy, paths[/tags]