—ADDING ONTO MEPIN’S POST. VERY IMPORTANT INFO HERE!!!Thanks for being so helpful mepin but you misspelled GAIAM. After all the great info you gave I wanted to make sure people didn’t miss out on the brand that I know and trust as well.

Oh and girls, watch out for inverted poses when on your period! They recommended not doing them and I can tell you from experience, it does not improve your your “flow.” NAM-AUST-DAY!

I actually lost 6 pounds in 2 days, no joke! (and NO, I do not have an eating disorder.) You see, the simple thing that I did each day was that during each meal (withOUT skipping breakfast) I took small bites of each thing I ate, and took a gulp of water after each bite. I ate a few little things, like: yogurt, cereal bar, and a cheesestick for lunch, and even 1 piece of pizza for dinner! (lima beans for breakfast.) I practiced jogging at night, too for 20 minutes. Afterwards, even though I was a little hungry I resisted my urge, and did some stretching (my split and touching my toes) and did some yoga. You are actually more flexible AFTER excersize! My yoga fills me with happiness, so when I go to sleep, I wake up to morning sunshine and birds chirping. How peaceful!

www.yogaisyummy.net

Polly is great! She posts 10-minute yoga videos on her website that you can watch through youtube. Very helpful for beginners, intermediates and advanced alike!

Started my healthy life style the first week of March. I’ve been doing yoga almost every day since and eating only healthy food. Nothing from a box or can. Fresh fruits and vegetable and meat and a bowl of Kashi cereal everyday. I do Yoga for weight loss with Susan Deason. I’ve lost 47 pounds! I’m half way to my goal :) I feel like a new person mentally and physically.

I found this awesome book on Yoga…by Richard Hittleman
“Yoga 28 day exercise plan” It’s very detailed has lots of pictures and is quite enjoyable to do everyday. He keeps it simple for the beginner, there are also thoughts for the day after each practice.

for all of those who are new to yoga there is a fabulous site that offers a free class each week. I am acutally a member so I have unlimited access but.. you should check it out, nothing like trying it out at home or taking it with you where ever you go!

yogatoday.com

I started taking yoga at my local Y and LOVE it, totally. Plus, now my 13 yr old daughter is taking it with me and she likes it, too! This is a great activity for us to do together.

I just did hot Yoga last week and loved it. I was a bit behind in the class, but it didn’t matter….what a great workout!

I’m so thrilled how God will work things out in my life. 13 years ago my only child died. I went through a very deep dark depression. I started taking prozac and gained 100 pounds. In November 2008 I decided it was time to stop taking prozac. I began to feel as though I were waking up. In April of this year I decided to start a healthy life style. I am eating only fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and grain. I love Kashi cereal and came here to look for coupons and found this :) I started yoga 3 weeks ago, I’m doing Gaiam quick start yoga for weight loss with Suzanne Deason. The first few times I did this it was very difficult and I thought, there is no way under the sun I’m ever going to be able to do this and there was no way I was ever going to lose weight doing it. I kept with it because I noticed I was feeling stronger both mentally and physically. Well…I’ve lost 14 pounds!!! Thank you God! I feel very empowered and can see myself making it to the end goal! I’ve always wanted to go hang gliding and plan to do just that in June of 2010. Peace and sunshine, Sharon

Treat your body as a whole. Be careful not to overflex your joints as each individual range of motion is probably different.

Melissa, Thank you for all of the advise and info. It was very helpful in leading me on my path. Many thanks!
Cindy

There is a plethora of DVDs out there for beginning yoginis! Giam has a great beginner series. Most gyms offer classes as well. Also, most private yoga studios will offer your first class free to see if it a good fit. Just like most things in life, there has to be good vibes for success. If you don’t feel right in a situation, you won’t go and you therefore can’t succeed. Yoga is a slow process. It’s about opening up yourself slowly and without any force. Some people will be turned off by yoga because it can be difficult to see their weaknesses shown to them physically through yoga postures. It is believed by yogis that what we believe and who we are at our core being is held deep within our cells. Practicing Asanas (or yoga poses), those cells release who we really are. A big example of this is when a woman is sexually abused, she may find it difficult to open her hips. It’s a way of protecting herself from opening that area. There are times when a woman like that finally does open up her hips that she will begin to cry. I too have experienced tears doing yoga. I cry when I open my chest. I try to keep my heart guarded because of deeply rooted issues and when I begin to open my chest I feel free.
I said all of this because I want people to understand that yoga is not only an excellent way to exercise and stretch, but it is a true awakening of your spirit. There is a deep attachment between our soul and our physical being. You have to find the teacher that is right for you. Start slowly with a beginners class or DVD and work hard at being open.
Good luck to everyone beginning yoga. I too have just begun again with yoga. I was deeply committed to yoga in all of it’s forms 8 years ago. I became afraid of the changes my body went through after having a child. My body was something I no longer understood. I’ve been afraid of it (that sounds nuts right?) for a long time. I am starting anew as well.
Love and Light,
Melissa

Yoga is my favorite form of excercise. Not only does it keep my flexible and strong, but it can be very relaxing and calming. I try to do it at least 4 times per week in addition to cardio/pilates, etc.

I have just started doing yoga for about two months now. I really enjoy it.

I have always wanted but have never tried yoga. Any tips or suggestions for a beginner?

I have been doing yoga for thirteen years . I has kept me flexible, and has helped with my balance. I am 75 years young and hope to do yoga for many more years.

I am ready for this. Does anyone have links to help here.