Where Do Start Sf I Want To Give Yoga A Try?

Here are a few pointers if you are interested in giving yoga a go …

What style of yoga should I do?

There are many different styles of yoga, such as Ashtanga, Iyengar and Sivananda. Some styles are more vigorous than others. Some may have a different area of emphasis, such as posture or breathing. Many yoga teachers develop their own practice by studying more than one style. No style is necessarily better or more authentic than any other. The key is to choose a class appropriate to your fitness level.

What type of class should I look out for?

Classes can vary in duration from 45 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. A longer class will give you more time for learning the breathing and relaxation and will give the teacher time to work with your individual ability. It’s worth speaking to a teacher about their approach before you sign up for a class.

Where can I find a yoga class?

No specific qualifications are required to teach yoga in the UK. However, it is generally accepted that to teach yoga, you need insurance, a teaching certificate and accreditation from a yoga association.

The main UK yoga associations are:

British Wheel of Yoga (BWY), the Sport England-recognised governing body for yoga
Yoga Alliance UK
Independent Yoga Network
Iyengar Yoga Association UK

These associations all list teachers and classes near you on their websites. You can also search for a local class or a teacher using the following websites:

Yogahub
Yoga Village UK
Yoga Class Near You
Local Yoga Classes

Can I use a book or a yoga DVD instead of going to a class?

It’s better to start with a class to learn the poses and breathing techniques correctly. With a DVD, there will be nobody to correct your mistakes, which may lead to injury over time. With some experience of being in a class, a DVD can then be helpful for keeping up practice.

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