Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hi - Check your local yellow pages, YMCA, health clubs, etc. and see what they have for yoga schools and classes. Most places allow you to "drop in" for one class (sometimes for free if you're brand new) so you can try a few different places, teachers, and class levels. Many schools also offer introductory series classes to teach you the basics over the course of several weeks or months. You should also be able to just sit in at the back of a class and watch to see what you think about the environment, studio, class difficulty, etc. Ask a lot of questions at the school, gym, of the teachers, etc. and see what they recommend for the style and level you'd begin at. Yoga classes can be very physically demanding so you don't want to jump into a class that's beyond you - that won't be fun and you won't get much out of it. On the other hand, I've had some classes that were way too basic and I was frustrated.

Different styles of yoga have different focuses - some concentrate more on meditation, some more on physical aspects, some classes aren't even teacher-led (you follow your own routine).

I really like vinyassa flow classes - they have a great combination of breath and postures, so it's very calming but a terrific workout as well. And every school I've tried for this has a wide range of class levels, from basic to advanced.

When you find a style and level that suits you, then you can look for some DVDs to practice at home when you can't get to class. But if you're starting from scratch I'd urge you to do this in a good class with a good teacher, as you'll learn so much more and the teacher can give you far more information, advice, and posture corrections than a tape can. I find the tapes great for those times when I can't get to class, but they're not nearly as good as a class itself. Having a teacher right there to help you, and to watch so you can see the proper posture, is invaluable.

Best,
Heather

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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!

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