M.T.
Hi R.! Take a Center for Yoga (15 Mile and Orchard Lake in West Bloomfield Plaza) - Slow Flow or Ashtanga Class -- good teachers there more for beginners would be Priyanka Shanbag, Allison Kaplan, Susanne Gorman, Cornell Colbert, or Jason Hulshof....check www.centerforyoga.com for schedule. If you go there, please tell them that M. Trame referred you and that it is one of your first times and that you are new to yoga. They will take care of you and help you = ) The philosophy with beginning yoga is this: you have to start somewhere and every body is different in terms of age, weight, health, flexibility, strength, and balance. DO NOT compare yourself to anyone who is there -- if you can do the pose, then let your body be in the pose without straining yourself. If you cannot do a pose then you can modify according to what your body feels it can do or come down into what is called "child's pose" for a break. The #1 most important part of any yoga class anywhere is the breathing -- slow rhythmic, deep, full breathing -- you will hear other students - it is called ujjayi breathing, the sound is made through the air flowing over the epiglotis. Focus on your breathing more than trying to compete, compare, or push yourself to hard with the postures. That (physical) will come with time and lots of dedication....if you would like to chat more send me a private message. I am a yoga teacher and oversee the CFY Community Class in Birmingham which is free, but sometimes might be challenging depending on the teacher. Namaste (the light within me recognizes and respects and loves the light within you).....
