How to Choose Yoga Classes

If you've never done yoga, you may be confused by all the different styles. Follow these tips to find a yoga class tailored to your specific needs – without bending over backwards.

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Up next in How to Do Yoga Poses (57 videos)

Learn all the basic yoga poses -- downward facing dog, lotus, plank, and so on -- so you can get toned and find a little inner calmness, too.

 
How to Tone Your Butt with Yoga
1
How to Tone Your Butt with Yoga
How to Do the Upward Facing Dog Pose
2
How to Do the Upward Facing Dog Pose
How to Do the Cow Face Pose
3
How to Do the Cow Face Pose
How to Do the Corpse Pose
4
How to Do the Corpse Pose
How to Do the Lotus Pose
5
How to Do the Lotus Pose
How to Do the Scorpion Pose
6
How to Do the Scorpion Pose
How to Do the Shoulder Stand Pose
7
How to Do the Shoulder Stand Pose
How to Do the Hero Pose
8
How to Do the Hero Pose
How to Do the Crow Pose
9
How to Do the Crow Pose
How to Do the Dancer Pose
10
How to Do the Dancer Pose
How to Do the Cat Cow Pose
11
How to Do the Cat Cow Pose
How to Do the Plank Pose
12
How to Do the Plank Pose
How to Do the Adept Pose
13
How to Do the Adept Pose
How to Do the Downward Facing Dog Pose
14
How to Do the Downward Facing Dog Pose
How to Do the Locust Pose
15
How to Do the Locust Pose
How to Do the Wheel Pose
16
How to Do the Wheel Pose
How to Do the Bow Pose
17
How to Do the Bow Pose
How to Do a Sun Salutation B
18
How to Do a Sun Salutation B
How to Do a Standing Forward Bend
19
How to Do a Standing Forward Bend
How to Do the Camel Pose
20
How to Do the Camel Pose
How to Do the Mountain Pose
21
How to Do the Mountain Pose
How to Do the Child's Pose
22
How to Do the Child's Pose
How to Do the Balancing Half Moon Pose
23
How to Do the Balancing Half Moon Pose
How to Do a Standing Half Forward Bend
24
How to Do a Standing Half Forward Bend
How to Do the Warrior II Pose
25
How to Do the Warrior II Pose
How to Do the Thunderbolt Pose
26
How to Do the Thunderbolt Pose
How to Do the Arms Reaching Upward Pose
27
How to Do the Arms Reaching Upward Pose
How to Do a Basic Sun Salutation
28
How to Do a Basic Sun Salutation
How to Do the Extended Hand to Toe Pose
29
How to Do the Extended Hand to Toe Pose
How to Do the Pigeon Pose
30
How to Do the Pigeon Pose
How to Do the Bridge Pose
31
How to Do the Bridge Pose
How to Do the Standing Crescent Moon Pose
32
How to Do the Standing Crescent Moon Pose
How to Do the Wind Relieving Pose
33
How to Do the Wind Relieving Pose
How to Do the Fish Pose
34
How to Do the Fish Pose
How to Do the Salute with Eight Limbs Pose
35
How to Do the Salute with Eight Limbs Pose
How to Do the Tree Pose
36
How to Do the Tree Pose
How to Do the Extended Side Angle Pose
37
How to Do the Extended Side Angle Pose
How to Do the Warrior III Pose
38
How to Do the Warrior III Pose
How to Do the Lion Pose
39
How to Do the Lion Pose
How to Do the Plow Pose
40
How to Do the Plow Pose
How to Do the Shooting Bow Pose
41
How to Do the Shooting Bow Pose
How to Do the Wide Legged Forward Bend
42
How to Do the Wide Legged Forward Bend
How to Do a Noble Pose
43
How to Do a Noble Pose
How to Do the Bound Angle Pose
44
How to Do the Bound Angle Pose
How to Do the Eagle Pose
45
How to Do the Eagle Pose
How to Do the Four Limbed Staff Pose
46
How to Do the Four Limbed Staff Pose
How to Do the Lunge Pose
47
How to Do the Lunge Pose
How to Do the Headstand Pose
48
How to Do the Headstand Pose
How to Do the Cobra Pose
49
How to Do the Cobra Pose
How to Do the Chair Pose
50
How to Do the Chair Pose
How to Do a Seated Spinal Twist Pose
51
How to Do a Seated Spinal Twist Pose
How to Do the Extended Triangle Pose
52
How to Do the Extended Triangle Pose
How to Do Power Yoga
53
How to Do Power Yoga
How to Choose Yoga Classes
54
How to Choose Yoga Classes
How to Handle a Fart in Yoga Class
55
How to Handle a Fart in Yoga Class
How to Do the Warrior I Pose
56
How to Do the Warrior I Pose
How to Practice Nude Yoga
57
How to Practice Nude Yoga
 

You Will Need

  • Self-assessment
  • Instructor
  • Sample classes
  • Yoga books (optional)

Steps

  1. Always consult a physician before attempting to do any exercise or exercise plan.

  2. Step 1

    Assess your goals

    Take stock of your physical abilities and limitations. Do you want an intense aerobic workout, as provided in a power yoga class? Or a slower, gentler, meditative style of yoga? There are classes that address both goals.

  3. Many books are available that describe the various styles of yoga.

  4. Step 2

    Talk to the instructor

    Talk to an instructor. Ask whether they are certified and which styles they have studied. Discuss any special needs you have as a student.

  5. Step 3

    Observe a class

    Ask to observe a class. If allowed, note whether the teacher provides good verbal cues and whether a non-competitive environment is fostered in the class. Also note whether the teacher does hands-on adjustments.

  6. Step 4

    Try a few classes

    Try a few classes to see whether the style of yoga and the teacher agree with you. Start with a beginner's class, even if you are in excellent physical shape, and slowly progress up to more advanced levels. Get to know the teacher, the techniques, and the style of yoga being taught.

  7. The earliest written records documenting yoga as a health practice are recorded in sacred texts in India that date back thousands of years.

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