People are always asking me what kind of yoga they should do, which studios I like, and who's the best teacher in New York. I've wandered around NYC studios for about seven years, so I guess I know a few proper nouns.
It can be hard to sort through the Sanskrit. Should you start Bikram to sweat out your toxins? Or Anusara to "open your heart"? Maybe Vinyasa, to get strong and flexible. Or Kundalini, to balance your glands! Iyengar, Ashtanga, Jivamukti, Sivananda -- what's right for you?
Here's the secret: just go.
A studio close to your office? Great, you'll go more often. A studio with amazing architecture? Great, you'll be uplifted while you're there. A studio with the best deals in town? Great, you'll have extra cash to spend on retreats.
Any class will teach you something about yourself. You'll learn some poses you love, and some you hate. Maybe you'll figure out why you love or hate challenges or change. You'll find some strengths, and some weaknesses. If you're really paying attention you'll notice the mental ones, too. You'll add a few more sensations to your kinesthetic vocabulary. You'll take some nice, deep breaths (or quick, short, strong ones) and get a little vacation from your stress. And of course the movement -- the massage for your muscles and glands -- will do you good.
When everything is socially networked, we sometimes forget to explore. If I'd waited for a friend to tell me which class to take, I'd have missed the relaxation class that brought tears to my eyes (Fish Pose) and got me into yoga. I'd have skipped the Pilates substitute who realigned my shoulders. I'd have walked past the open house at Atmananda, where I ended up doing my teacher training.
Sometimes we don't know, or can't articulate, what we need. Random jumps can illuminate an area in shadow, and invigorate our regular practice. I've gone to belly dance classes, and found my hips. Salsa classes, and found my toes. Core classes moved me from center; AcroYoga broke down my walls. And Vinyasa keeps teaching me to stand on my own two hands. I didn't know I had some of these movements in me. Who knows what evil lurks inside of you?
Yoga practice is like wine appreciation -- the best way to learn is to taste. Build a vocabulary of the adjectives and nouns you like, and gradually refine your palette.
Tastes change, of course. My favorite teachers and styles have changed many times as I've changed cities, changed jobs, and aged. Studios change month to month, as teachers and students come and go. And there is a therapeutic aspect to yoga; you might eventually choose medicine over Montepulciano. But you'll only start learning once you start.
If the price of a city class gives you pause, try to see it as a charitable donation. You're investing in a small business that's putting healthy options out there for you and your neighbors (and getting your daily endorphins to boot). Take a risk; reallocate your martini dollars into a local wellness fund. If the martini dollars are all dried up, look for one of the many free, work exchange, or community (discounted) classes around town. You'll reap heaps of health and social benefits.
One last thing. Some of you/us are already hyperactive (I don't mean that in a bad way), and don't need encouragement to be impulsive or curious. Maybe you want to reflect, and focus your energy before you move again. Maybe you head to your local bookstore instead of class this time.
The important thing is to express, not obstruct, that energy to act. If your gut is itching to do yoga, don't let your head get in the way. Just go!
Yoga
source: huffingtonpost
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