| What is more important - the Yoga teacher or the | | | | developed to guide and assist you, in your own home, |
| style of Yoga being taught? Firstly, you should | | | | reading is much safer. |
| research the nine major styles of Yoga: Bhakti, Hatha, | | | | If you have been reading and practicing for six months, |
| Jnana, Karma, Kundalini, Mantra, Raja, Tantra, and | | | | a beginner or gentle Yoga DVD should be fine, but |
| Yantra Yoga. Then, make a choice as to which path | | | | please watch it, at least once, before attempting to do |
| of Yoga you would like to pursue. | | | | any Yoga technique. There is nothing wrong with |
| Seek out a Yoga teacher or Guru, in your preferred | | | | watching a Yoga DVD a few times and taking notes |
| style, for guidance. If this is not possible, due to distance | | | | before attempting any Yoga technique. |
| or time, you should do a lot more Yoga reading. When | | | | When you read, envision, and understand a Yoga |
| visiting a bookstore or library, browse through the | | | | technique, it will be much safer on your first attempt. |
| Yoga books for the one that "draws you in." | | | | Many of us are impatient and want to learn everything |
| If you choose to study Hatha Yoga, or a Hatha Yoga | | | | at once. In Yoga, this will never happen. In fact, one life |
| sub-style, the first book I would personally recommend | | | | is just not enough time to learn everything there is to |
| is, "The Heart of Yoga, Developing a Personal | | | | know about Yoga. |
| Practice," by T.K.V. Desikachar. T.K.V. Desikachar | | | | Let's look at options for learning Yoga from a Yoga |
| trained many of today's modern Yoga masters, and | | | | teacher in your area. How do you choose a local |
| this one book will help anyone develop their own | | | | Yoga teacher that is right for you? If you have done |
| routine. | | | | your research, you know what style of Yoga that you |
| Notice that I have not recommended a DVD. Why is | | | | are interested in; but what should you be looking for in |
| that? Although Yoga DVD's are very informative, | | | | a Yoga teacher? |
| some people get hurt practicing Hatha Yoga, while | | | | A Yoga teacher should be ethical, compassionate, |
| watching a DVD at the same time. It is not uncommon | | | | understanding, and have time for your questions. Your |
| to hear that a beginning Yoga student was injured at | | | | religious ideas should not be challenged in a Yoga |
| home while practicing Yoga with a DVD. | | | | class. You should not be required to make drastic |
| The truth is - DVD's are great learning tools for Yoga | | | | lifestyle changes. |
| teachers, Yoga teacher interns, and Yoga teacher | | | | However, as you continue to study Yoga, you will |
| training sessions. Until a "holographic Yoga teacher" is | | | | naturally improve your health. |