Yoga for an unfit beginner

jooley · Sep 9th, 2009, 19:39

Hi,
I am wondering if anyone can recommend a good ashram in the South for a beginner who is pretty unfit? Are you expected to have either some yoga experience or a good level of fitness before you start.
I have looked into the Sivananda Centres and the Kerala Ashram looks really good, however I dont want to arrive and find myself so out of my depth that I panic and run away after 24 hours! Anyone know if this Ashram would be suitable for an unfit beginner who will try hard? (I did Pilates for a while a few years ago,but have let myself go since then!)

Goran · Sep 10th, 2009, 15:15

should not any good and experienced instructor be able to adjust the program for individual needs and possibilities? If he/she can't he/she should probably not teach anyway.

That said the "northern" (a lot of it coming from Shivananda lineage for example) traditions are generally less physically intensive and with more emphasis on mental/spiritual aspects than those more physically intensive in the Krishnamacharya tradition like ashtanga, vinyasa, power and so on. Iyengar is a little different branch of this tradition, but it seems to me it could be considered somewhat intensive too in a different way as it tends to keep an asana for a long time.. Might be wrong of course as it is just general info, I'm not practicing yoga, hope someone will be more helpful about this

theyyamdancer · Sep 10th, 2009, 15:38

Hi jooley and welcome to IndiaMike! I agree with Goran's broad definitions.

You might like to check out the following thread:
Yoga course for beginners?

towards the end of which IndiaMike member piri piri finds a good Iyengar yoga class.

grizzlyofalaska · Sep 10th, 2009, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by jooley

Hi,
I am wondering if anyone can recommend a good ashram in the South for a beginner who is pretty unfit? Are you expected to have either some yoga experience or a good level of fitness before you start.
I have looked into the Sivananda Centres and the Kerala Ashram looks really good, however I dont want to arrive and find myself so out of my depth that I panic and run away after 24 hours! Anyone know if this Ashram would be suitable for an unfit beginner who will try hard? (I did Pilates for a while a few years ago,but have let myself go since then!)

I went to sivananda ashram in 2006(and have been their many times ever since). i was new to yoga and was atleast 10 kg heavier then any other yoga doing type people their. lol

The ashram is laid back and they have classes for begginers and advance. If i can to a posture I do it, if not i just lie back in Shav asana and breath. Sivananda yoga is more about the lifestyle their then just physical yoga. Ask yourself why you want to do yoga? I did because i wanted to get fit. I lost like 10 kg and also Sivananda Ashram introduced me to a spiritual life that i wasnt aware of in the western world.

I would suggest you check sivananda out. Minimum stay is only 3 days so most you will lose is Rs 1000.
You never know what you might uncover hidden in you!

ondulino · Sep 10th, 2009, 16:13

if you are a complete beginner why do you want to go to ashram straight away? why dont you try Sivenanda beginners course to start with to see if its your cup of tea? Also I think (as an advanced yoga practicioner) that if you go to ashram with some experience you will be able to absorb more... whatever you you decide for I wish you good luck

jooley · Sep 11th, 2009, 20:49

thanks for the responses- really helpful....I think will sign up for a local course to get some practice in before I go!

grizzlyofalaska · Oct 14th, 2009, 16:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunny00072

Hi
You will find many places in india where they teach Yoga & Meditations on their own way. But this place which is in the centre of Bangalore offers
you tailormade residential courses as well as provide good food(satvic) & open up the new avenues of spirituality where many westerners like to feel.
This place is known as Nishane School of Spiritual Sciences. To know more log on to http://www.nishaneschool.com .They have an ashram in Rishikesh also..
I really feel to send the message to the person in need coz of the knowledge & the good work happening there....
Sunny

Thank u Sunny

Sep 9th, 2009, 19:39	#1
jooley Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: dublin Posts: 4	Yoga for an unfit beginner Hi, I am wondering if anyone can recommend a good ashram in the South for a beginner who is pretty unfit? Are you expected to have either some yoga experience or a good level of fitness before you start. I have looked into the Sivananda Centres and the Kerala Ashram looks really good, however I dont want to arrive and find myself so out of my depth that I panic and run away after 24 hours! Anyone know if this Ashram would be suitable for an unfit beginner who will try hard? (I did Pilates for a while a few years ago,but have let myself go since then!)

Sep 10th, 2009, 15:38	#3
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,423	Hi jooley and welcome to IndiaMike! I agree with Goran's broad definitions. You might like to check out the following thread: Yoga course for beginners? towards the end of which IndiaMike member piri piri finds a good Iyengar yoga class. __________________ "Wandering seemed no more than the happiness of an anxious man." - Albert Camus

Sep 10th, 2009, 16:13	#5
ondulino Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Noida Posts: 25	if you are a complete beginner why do you want to go to ashram straight away? why dont you try Sivenanda beginners course to start with to see if its your cup of tea? Also I think (as an advanced yoga practicioner) that if you go to ashram with some experience you will be able to absorb more... whatever you you decide for I wish you good luck __________________ Ondulino

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Sep 10th, 2009, 15:15	#2
Goran Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Croatia Posts: 144	should not any good and experienced instructor be able to adjust the program for individual needs and possibilities? If he/she can't he/she should probably not teach anyway. That said the "northern" (a lot of it coming from Shivananda lineage for example) traditions are generally less physically intensive and with more emphasis on mental/spiritual aspects than those more physically intensive in the Krishnamacharya tradition like ashtanga, vinyasa, power and so on. Iyengar is a little different branch of this tradition, but it seems to me it could be considered somewhat intensive too in a different way as it tends to keep an asana for a long time.. Might be wrong of course as it is just general info, I'm not practicing yoga, hope someone will be more helpful about this

Sep 11th, 2009, 20:49	#6
jooley Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: dublin Posts: 4	thanks for the responses- really helpful....I think will sign up for a local course to get some practice in before I go!