Want To Try Yoga, But Self-Conscious

romantic sweetheart · 10-27-2008, 05:52 PM

I want to try yoga, but I keep hesitating because I feel self-conscious whenever I try something new. I feel afraid to try yoga because I am not very limber, and I worry that I will look foolish trying to do some of the more complicated poses. I am so hypersensitive when it comes to things like this--I am worried the instructor will have to keep correcting my posture, etc. I know--it's ridiculous to fret so much and allow my fears to stop me from doing what I want to do.

I have gone online to read some of the descriptions of the yoga classes offered in my town, and when I read about things like "back bends" and "head stands" my heartbeat quickens and I become nervous--I know beginners won't be expected to do the more advanced poses, but then I jump ahead, ruminating on the day I might be expected to try a difficult pose, and I start feeling like I did when I was four-years-old, and my mom placed in me in a gymnastics class, which I disliked, because I felt afraid of doing somersaults, etc. Or I flashback to my high school years when I was required to do gymnastic feats, but was not too successful, and was lectured by the P.E. teacher (much to my humiliation).

Perhaps if anyone here regularly does yoga, s/he can explain what it is like to be a beginner...What should I expect, is it fairly easy to do the poses, do the classes feel warm and inviting, etc.

Thanks for helping!!

kuiks8 · 10-27-2008, 06:10 PM

Why don't you get a couple intro DVD's so you get more familiar with the poses etc before going?

romantic sweetheart · 10-27-2008, 06:12 PM

Hi Kuiks--I have a book and a CD that I have been using to help me get familiar with the poses. And I still am worrying!! It seems like in this case, I will just have to "take the plunge" whether I feel ready or not.

COtuner · 10-27-2008, 06:14 PM

Sorry - not a direct answer to your question...... I too am afraid to try new classes at the gym. My club is full of professional and top caliber amateur athletes, and I feel clumsy and inept, although I am in good shape. Just lost my stamina and agility / coordination after lengthy rehab from injuries.

I don't do yoga (too many knee injuries to risk it) but I do highly recommend Pilates as one alternative. I noticed my flexibility improved somewhat using Pilates, which might get you to the point where yoga is less intimidating. My physical therapist is the one who suggested Pilates to lengthen the muscles and I fell in love with it.

The other recommendation, is sign up for one on one yoga instruction to learn the basics with a professional and then you can go to class feeling more secure. It's well worth the extra money as it will also minimize risk of injury.

romantic sweetheart · 10-27-2008, 06:15 PM

Good advice COtuner...I hadn't thought about pilates, but I have been hearing a lot about that lately, too. Might be with looking into for me. Also, one-on-one instruction....

kuiks8 · 10-27-2008, 06:16 PM

i think it really is a take the plunge kind of a deal...the other thing to know in regards to gym workouts etc is everyone is way too busy looking at themselves and worrying about how they look to even notice you...
Yoga is a great way to relax, get lean and get in your body!!!

Be Strong you will love it!

itsallgrand · 10-27-2008, 06:22 PM

There is such a WIDE variety of classes you can check out and from the ones I've popped in on....huge difference too in vibe, instructors, general feel of the class.

Hey, I totally understand that thumpthumpthump worrying about the criticism.

I started out at the Y. VERY relaxed, very low pressure, nice array of people.

Nice thing about that was there were actual opportunities to take turns teaching each other... and you know how it is...once you teach something, confidence goes right up. At least for me...

sidehop · 10-28-2008, 10:18 AM

Hop into a yoga that's just starting. Especially the community based classes where the instructor goes slow and explains in details as to what you should expect. The instructor will be the key. A good instructor will consider each person's experience and will be very helpful. Don't ever push yourself in Yoga, there are various methods for each pose so go at your own pace and most importantly, relax as much as you can.

I used to do Yoga and recently my g/f & I joined a Yoga/Pilates class at the local community center. It's great, there's a pregnant mother as well as people of all ages. You'll enjoy the class, it's very refreshing after each session!

hike14 · 10-28-2008, 10:24 AM

Hi. Yoga is a great thing!

You don't have to worry about anything, keeping up, being corrected. It is all done with the breath. And if your instructor is a good one, she will make sure you know you should never go beyond your capacity. Just try to do as best as you can. And forget the headstands for now. The harder poses take DECADES to even get ready to BEGIN trying. The most important thing --especially for a beginner-- is to learn how to breath correctly. And most of the time your eyes will be closed. So no one but the instructor will be able to see you anyway. You are not supposed to compare yourself to anyone. Just little by little you see your own body improving, and feeling better. No stress, no competition.

Breath in belly goes up... breath out tuck belly back in. It's all very relaxing!

10-27-2008, 05:52 PM	#1
romantic sweetheart Offline Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Oregon Gender: Female Age: 34 Posts: 367	Want To Try Yoga, But Self-Conscious I want to try yoga, but I keep hesitating because I feel self-conscious whenever I try something new. I feel afraid to try yoga because I am not very limber, and I worry that I will look foolish trying to do some of the more complicated poses. I am so hypersensitive when it comes to things like this--I am worried the instructor will have to keep correcting my posture, etc. I know--it's ridiculous to fret so much and allow my fears to stop me from doing what I want to do. I have gone online to read some of the descriptions of the yoga classes offered in my town, and when I read about things like "back bends" and "head stands" my heartbeat quickens and I become nervous--I know beginners won't be expected to do the more advanced poses, but then I jump ahead, ruminating on the day I might be expected to try a difficult pose, and I start feeling like I did when I was four-years-old, and my mom placed in me in a gymnastics class, which I disliked, because I felt afraid of doing somersaults, etc. Or I flashback to my high school years when I was required to do gymnastic feats, but was not too successful, and was lectured by the P.E. teacher (much to my humiliation). Perhaps if anyone here regularly does yoga, s/he can explain what it is like to be a beginner...What should I expect, is it fairly easy to do the poses, do the classes feel warm and inviting, etc. Thanks for helping!! __________________ For even as love crowns you, So shall he crucify you. Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

10-27-2008, 06:12 PM	#3
romantic sweetheart Offline Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Oregon Gender: Female Age: 34 Posts: 367	Hi Kuiks--I have a book and a CD that I have been using to help me get familiar with the poses. And I still am worrying!! It seems like in this case, I will just have to "take the plunge" whether I feel ready or not. __________________ For even as love crowns you, So shall he crucify you. Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

10-27-2008, 06:15 PM	#5
romantic sweetheart Offline Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Oregon Gender: Female Age: 34 Posts: 367	Good advice COtuner...I hadn't thought about pilates, but I have been hearing a lot about that lately, too. Might be with looking into for me. Also, one-on-one instruction.... __________________ For even as love crowns you, So shall he crucify you. Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

10-27-2008, 06:10 PM	#2
kuiks8 Offline Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Vancouver Gender: Female Posts: 3,271	Why don't you get a couple intro DVD's so you get more familiar with the poses etc before going?

10-27-2008, 06:14 PM	#4
COtuner Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Gender: Female Posts: 4,102	Sorry - not a direct answer to your question...... I too am afraid to try new classes at the gym. My club is full of professional and top caliber amateur athletes, and I feel clumsy and inept, although I am in good shape. Just lost my stamina and agility / coordination after lengthy rehab from injuries. I don't do yoga (too many knee injuries to risk it) but I do highly recommend Pilates as one alternative. I noticed my flexibility improved somewhat using Pilates, which might get you to the point where yoga is less intimidating. My physical therapist is the one who suggested Pilates to lengthen the muscles and I fell in love with it. The other recommendation, is sign up for one on one yoga instruction to learn the basics with a professional and then you can go to class feeling more secure. It's well worth the extra money as it will also minimize risk of injury.

10-27-2008, 06:16 PM	#6
kuiks8 Offline Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Vancouver Gender: Female Posts: 3,271	i think it really is a take the plunge kind of a deal...the other thing to know in regards to gym workouts etc is everyone is way too busy looking at themselves and worrying about how they look to even notice you... Yoga is a great way to relax, get lean and get in your body!!! Be Strong you will love it!

10-27-2008, 06:22 PM	#7
itsallgrand Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: following my grace... Gender: None Specified Posts: 6,783	There is such a WIDE variety of classes you can check out and from the ones I've popped in on....huge difference too in vibe, instructors, general feel of the class. Hey, I totally understand that thumpthumpthump worrying about the criticism. I started out at the Y. VERY relaxed, very low pressure, nice array of people. Nice thing about that was there were actual opportunities to take turns teaching each other... and you know how it is...once you teach something, confidence goes right up. At least for me...

10-28-2008, 10:18 AM	#8
sidehop Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NH USA Gender: Male Posts: 1,599	Hop into a yoga that's just starting. Especially the community based classes where the instructor goes slow and explains in details as to what you should expect. The instructor will be the key. A good instructor will consider each person's experience and will be very helpful. Don't ever push yourself in Yoga, there are various methods for each pose so go at your own pace and most importantly, relax as much as you can. I used to do Yoga and recently my g/f & I joined a Yoga/Pilates class at the local community center. It's great, there's a pregnant mother as well as people of all ages. You'll enjoy the class, it's very refreshing after each session!

10-28-2008, 10:24 AM	#9
hike14 Online Gold Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NY Gender: Female Age: 24 Posts: 1,462	Hi. Yoga is a great thing! You don't have to worry about anything, keeping up, being corrected. It is all done with the breath. And if your instructor is a good one, she will make sure you know you should never go beyond your capacity. Just try to do as best as you can. And forget the headstands for now. The harder poses take DECADES to even get ready to BEGIN trying. The most important thing --especially for a beginner-- is to learn how to breath correctly. And most of the time your eyes will be closed. So no one but the instructor will be able to see you anyway. You are not supposed to compare yourself to anyone. Just little by little you see your own body improving, and feeling better. No stress, no competition. Breath in belly goes up... breath out tuck belly back in. It's all very relaxing!