09/10/2025
I so wanna try yoga,
but where to begin?
If you know me, you know I'm a super nerd for pretty much all things yoga. I started in taekwondo when I was seven, then switched to kung fu when I was eight (think Kung Fu Panda, and you're pretty much spot on). I got my black belt when I was twelve and was an assistant teacher until eighteen. I switched to yoga in college and started teaching yoga in 2003 at the suggestion of a yoga teacher I really respected in Denver. Then I taught for a yoga company for a number of years, focusing on anatomy, philosophy, prenatal yoga, yoga for kids, yoga for athletes, yoga for seniors, and eventually figured out I like teaching yoga for special populations, and could tie in my love of biology and chemistry (since I went to university for both sciences) and language at the same time! Talk about a win/win situation, right? Then I decided to learn more about the history of yoga so I could really help my students pick the best style of yoga for them, since it's such a personal practice.
Talk about opening Pandora's Box! So many yoga styles, so little time to try them all! Here's a little bit of yoga history for you that hopefully can direct you to the best lineage of yoga for you, based on what it is you want and need right now! I've included the next three months of Self Care Saturday classes at the bottom with links to learn more if you're interested.
Happy five minutes reading!
Every style of yoga that we see today has evolved from Hatha Yoga, which has a very rich history. From the get-go, there were only about 16 yoga poses that were designed to balance the hip joints of practitioners so they could sit for long periods of time in meditation. Boy, have we evolved from there, eh?
In the late 1800s, the traditional Hatha Yoga split into many branches as it started traveling around the world. Westerners fell in love with the physical practice, so some of the teachers started incorporating more gymnastic movements into their own new branch. Here's what started -
Krishnamacharya started with a theory of teaching what is appropriate to individuals, and he liked the idea of combining movement with breath. We call that Vinyasa yoga nowadays. Learn more about him here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirumalai_Krishnamacharya) .
Iyengar studied with Krishnamacharya, yet his yoga came out as a very disciplined practice using a whole lot of props and involved education. It was initially established for people with limited range of motion, as a way to work with the body to become stronger and more flexible. Learn more about him here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._K._S._Iyengar) .
Pattabhi Jois found the Vinyasa idea really captivating, and he created Ashtanga Yoga as his gift to the world. This form of yoga is quite athletic and follows a strict sequence. It was taught mostly to young men as a way to learn discipline and structure. I started my yoga practice with Ashtanga yoga, and was very captivated by it. Ashtanga yoga has branched into Power Yoga, Power Flow, Vinyasa Yoga, Hot Yoga and more.
Desikachar and Indra Devi decided to go more toward tradition and healing. Their styles led to more restorative yoga, therapeutic yoga and gentle yoga for everyone.
Yogi Bhajan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harbhajan_Singh_Khalsa) started Kundalini Yoga (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kundalini_yoga) , focusing on awakening the potential energy of our nervous system through very specific practices.
That's a whole lot of change over the course of yoga's history, yes? All this being said, ask yourself why you want to try yoga, first and foremost. Do you want some discipline in exercise? Then look for Ashtanga, Power, Hot Yoga, Flow Yoga or Vinyasa yoga.
Are you more interested in a slow and steady approach with props available? Do you resonate more with having injuries you're wanting to heal? Give Iyengar yoga a try, and I think you'll be very happy.
Is there a particular diagnosis you're dealing with that someone said yoga would help? Check out restorative or therapeutic yoga as a place to start, as the instructors here are very versed in such things.
Are you more interested in the energy of yoga, the mysticism of it? Kundalini yoga might be just for you then, and it's offered across the country!
Lastly, yoga therapy takes bits and pieces from all these styles of yoga, and puts together a personalized practice of movement, breath and stillness just for you. So if you're thinking you'd like an approach specific to you, then look no further for an IAYT certified yoga therapist. This is what I do each and every month with my yoga classes. I can also do in a personalized yoga therapy session with just you, if you'd like.
I've included a link below if you want to join me for any of my upcoming yoga therapy monthly workshops. If you're wanting to get moving by setting realistic and achievable goals, this is one sure bet to help you do exactly that.
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