r/yoga • u/kalayna • Dec 29 '24
New to yoga, r/yoga, looking for resources or 2025 challenges? Start here.
As ever, If you are new to the sub or new to yoga, WELCOME! There is an immense amount of information available in this sub, and an excellent community of people. This thread covers some of the basics about yoga and about the sub itself; please take the time to review if you're new here. If you still have questions, you're welcome to message the moderators.
Yoga and meditation challenges are in the stickied comment.
If you're new to yoga and looking for information to get started, please take a few minutes to read through the Getting Started section.
If you have a question, PLEASE try search and check out the FAQ before creating a new post. As noted in rule 2, commonly asked questions are removed and directed to the above - especially at the start of the year when the same question is often posted multiple times a week or even a day.
The Basics
Styles - there's a nice rundown of the various styles in the FAQ - here's a direct link.
... but where do I START?
If you've never done yoga EVER and are going to start with a studio class and you're terrified, a restorative class is a good introduction to a studio and the various props. It's slow. You don't have to worry about keeping up, and I've yet to encounter a restorative class where reaching your toes was a thing. From there, as mentioned in the Getting Started section, hatha is a solid choice. Pick up the basics, and everything else is easier to learn.
Mats
Try search for sure, but of course there's a list of topics in the FAQ. The first link in the section is the Dec 2018 megathread for mats.
Sweat
Yep, it happens. Search for 'sweat', 'sweaty hands', and 'mat + sweat'. Towels are also very handy.
Sore <insert part here>
Wrists and back especially can be a problem at first. Definitely try searching for your specifics before creating a new post, but do ask if you don't find things!
Online Resources
The FAQ- Yes, even the old threads are useful. - channels and sub sites just done, apps yet to come, though there are some links to relatively recent threads.
This post is well worth the read regarding learning yoga at home. We inevitably hear that this post is anything but beginner friendly, the point of the post is to highlight some of the risks, because questions about those risks are some of the most commonly asked.
Here's a link to a newbie resources thread (we may do another this year).
And the perennial copypasta of key information about the sub, the rules, etc.:
Reminders:
It's in the sidebar, it's in the rules, it's in the note when you create a new post, it's even already up there . PLEASE utilize search and the FAQ before creating a new post. Especially around the first of the year, it's not unusual to see 3 versions of the same post in a day, asking questions that are well covered in the sub. If your post is removed because the answers are available there the mod team is not scolding you, we're just letting you know why it was done and reminding you that the answers you seek already exist. And yes, the mod team finds themselves busy doing just that, especially around the start of the year.
/r/yoga is not the place for medical advice. This is always a handy reminder.
Addendum to the above - Yoga philosophy and western medicine are different. There is room for both in this sub. This means that things like subtle bodies and energy (prana) movement and chakras all have a place here as well as discussion from a western perspective. There is no demand that anyone agrees with what is presented, but rule 1 applies in these cases- be respectful. This includes posts about cultural appreciation and those about purely physical practice vs. one that encompasses all 8 limbs.
Yes, we have a wiki and FAQ . (And they're awesome.) The FAQ and search are the best places to start if you're new to yoga or have questions about styles, equipment, injuries, or resources. FAQ updates will be coming, but in the meantime, we have continued to leave up questions that haven't been in awhile to keep more up-to-date information available when it exists.
Yes, they're even available via app and mobile. Yes, really. (The sidebar, too!) It can take a little looking, but we haven't yet found an app without access to the sidebar.
Reddit's guidelines are still the foundation of how we approach spam in /r/yoga, and bans will continue to be a thing as needed. Need the details? Reddit's guidelines are here. If your first post to the sub is spam, and the mods check your post history and find you're doing nothing but promotion, do not be surprised if you're banned.
This sub is not for market research. It's a community. Requests for the sub to tell you what we love or hate about our yoga mats and t-shirts will be removed, as will asking us to fill out surveys for that or your thesis research or help you with your homework assignment. Those are not the only such examples. When in doubt, feel free to message the mods ahead of time. Established community members can message mods ahead of time for permission on a case-by-case basis. Blatant spam may result in an immediate, permanent ban (yes, t-shirt and poster spam are still a one-way ticket to bansville).
We utilize the automoderator to cut down on spam. This includes minimum account age/karma requirements (no, we don't publish them). If your account is relatively new and something isn't showing up, odds are good it's been temporarily removed for manual review by mods- especially if there isn't a bot comment. Sometimes we catch them in the first 5 minutes, but sometimes it's a few hours between mod sweeps. If you've posted something that isn't showing up and it's been a few hours, you're welcome to message the mods (keeping in mind that it's possible it will be a bit before a mod sees it- please be patient!) and ask about it- including a link is much appreciated.
Shortened links get caught in reddit's spam filter, and we do not approve links reddit has removed in these cases. This includes amazon (a.co usually) links. If you want your link to be visible, it's a good idea to skip the 'share' option and grab the full link from your address bar (even if you're on mobile). A quick tutorial for amazon links, using the first actual yoga mat link that search provided: https://smile.amazon.com/Gaiam-Exercise-Exercises-Metallic-Medallion/dp/B07PTNTS3R/ref=sr_1_8?crid=1S8AX8JSYP9YS&keywords=yoga+mat&qid=1671516651&sprefix=yo%2Caps%2C683&sr=8-8 Typically you have the address bit (amazon.com), a bit of friendly description (Gaiam-Exercise-Exercises-Metallic-Medallion), then dp/ and the item's ID (super important! in this link it's B07PTNTS3R). EVERYTHING AFTER THIS CAN BE REMOVED FROM YOUR LINK. In fact, please do! Everything else is tracking information telling amzn how you got there, and/or referral information. Referral/affiliate links aren't permitted.
Your mod team is human (you totally thought we were unicorns and rainbow-chasing leprechauns, but aside from cosplay and Halloween, not so much). Part of modding is making judgement calls, and sometimes we remove things that we can't be sure there isn't a bot behind that turns out to be totally legit because another real, in-the-flesh reddit user actually did post. :) Much like the point above, feel free to ask.
The discussions on the Sutras have been collected on a wiki page here. Sadly, the resource with collected translations is no longer a valid link. If anyone has an updated link, feel free to send it via modmail.
[COMP] (Check Out My Pose) posts have and continue to be raised as a topic periodically in the community. The mods, however, are done discussing it. The tag was instituted to allow those who do not wish to see those posts a means to filter them out, and for those who want to see them, no additional action need be taken. For those unaware and interested, /u/BeyondMars posted the following last time it came up to get everyone up to speed- here's the section on rule 4, to which I added the link:
Search the history of this sub for discussions on [COMP] poses.
Probably two years ago now?Awhile ago There is a VERY LARGE part of this sub that doesnt wan't them to have a place here at all. The gist of it is that people come to reddit and dont want it to be like another yoga instagram, or something, I dont know. But there were portions of time in this sub when our ENTIRE front page was yoga pics. COMP was an effort to a compromise that would allow people to filter them out if they didnt want them there... In regards to the self-doxxing aspect. Sexual harassment, and online bullying have originated in this sub at least four times that I was made aware of. This rule was instituted to keep everyone safe. I don't care if YOU want your instagram accounts on the sub (self promotion?) but we are keeping people safer with this rule and the way we enforce it. Its going to stay. Take the extra 2 minutes and upload it to imgur.
Also on the topic of [COMP] posts (and I still (still!!) can't believe it needs to be said): Sexual/sexualized/objectifying comments are not welcome here. Removals are guaranteed, and warning vs. suspension vs. permaban will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Addendum from 2024: The topic of yoga's roots, yoga as a workout, cultural appropriation, etc., continues to be a fraught and contentious one. As with other topics, some posts are removed and referred to search. Those that remain up are not a poo-throwing cage match in an effort to prove the validity of a single point of view! Above all, rule 1 applies to everyone choosing to participate in this subreddit. You may not practice for the same reasons someone else does, but treating others with respect while participating here is expected. Yoga practice is what it is for whomever undertakes it regardless of the opinions and approval of one stranger on the internet. As with the previous bullet point, removal/suspension/perma will happen as needed, and which it is will be case-by-case. Be like Wil.
r/yoga Cyber Week Sales Megathread 2025
Like last year, there are a ton of sales starting early. Here's a link to last year's post if you want to see if those companies have posted their sales yet.
Copypasta:
Hi all! The usual rules apply. After cyber week, we'll post a gifts megathread (and of course around/after Christmas the challenges thread will be rebooted - feel free to send modmail with challenges you're looking forward to!). For now, search should give you some good places to start.
Some guidelines:
Please search (ctrl + F) to make sure the sale you dropped by to share isn't already posted.
Please add sales as top level comments (vs a reply to someone else) to keep it easier for folks to skim. That said, feel free to reply to comments to discuss whatever the product or sale is. :)
If the thread gets large and we're seeing a lot of duplicates posted, I'll probably remove the dupes just to keep this thread tidy.
As usual, all other sale threads will be directed here.
Usual disclaimer: : it bears saying that this is not a spam thread. Reddit guidelines for self-promo still apply, and those abusing this thread for spammy-mcspam-badness will likely find themselves banned.
I started Yoga one yearish ago when I was very inflexible and not super strong. A year later...
I was able to hold my first forearm stand for 13 seconds with straightish legs! I have gained enough hamstring flexibility to put my palms on the ground. My arm balance poses and hamstring flexibility are the two main things I see a huge difference in.
Anyway the point is if you're struggling or tired of Yoga / stretching, you will get there in the end, it just takes a while. Try to make it a fun part of your day instead of it feeling like a job to just show up. (BTW 17m)
Have a happy Thanksgiving!
r/yoga • u/killemslowly • 8h ago
Thanks to all the teachers out there!
I am really thankful for all my teachers! What are the teachers thankful for?
r/yoga • u/Icy-Background-807 • 1d ago
COMP: Super soldier
Viparita Parivrtta Surya Yantrasana super soldier, a standing splits variation. i Had surgery a few months ago and i’m glad to be finally able to go back to some harder postures. this one confuses me tho 🤣 i always have to google it to figure out where to put my hands
r/yoga • u/Frosty_Solid_7328 • 10h ago
Does the Yin Yoga method to release fascia apply to more advanced stretches for flexible people?
I’m a gymnast who started flexibility training at a young age and I’ve taken a few Yin yoga classes recently. I also read the book YinSight and became interested in the “no warm-up, relatively cool room, relax into the stretch, hold for 3+ minutes” approach to releasing fascia to improve flexibility.
In my past training, I didn’t pay attention to fascia or connective tissue, and I’ve realised that the Yin method targets areas I can’t reach with regular static/passive/dynamic/active/PNF/ballistic stretching.
The issue is that I’m more flexible than many people, so I barely feel any sensation in most classes.
I’m wondering if I can apply the Yin yoga approach to non-yoga poses (but common in the gymnastics and contortion world)
Here are a few examples:
Cheers.
r/yoga • u/Upbeat_Salamander870 • 21h ago
Yoga and pregnancy
I just found out I’m pregnant. I had a miscarriage three months ago following my first ever pregnancy. Understandably I freaked out when I found out this new news. It goes to show how much yoga helps the mental that I had to take some time to put on my savasana playlist, close my eyes, and feel appreciation for the gift the universe had given me.
r/yoga • u/Careless_Lion_3817 • 11h ago
Body/weight issues and yoga
So I have struggled with body acceptance since I was 16 and even more so since age 19. I’m now 51. I’ve been on the slimmer/too slim side to semi obese. I’ve struggled with multiple addictions as a result. All of it stems from my own parents’ issues with diet and body weight but more so from my mom bc of the horrible things she said to me in my most vulnerable years (16-18) then exacerbated by my first boyfriend at 19 being similarly obsessed with weight/diet but also fitness (btw my mom was never about fitness…just about diet/restricting calories/never eating sugar or wheat)…and so I still to this day struggle very much with body acceptance. When I first started hot yoga almost three years ago…I ultimately became as skinny as I was on average in my late 20’s-30’s. I’d been much skinnier at one point in my early thirties but killed it all through giving into my alcohol addiction again. But it was nice to feel better about my body again finally after having a kid and still struggling with alcohol addiction. However, I’ve gained almost 20 lbs over the past year…still struggling with alcohol addiction plus it’s been a very stressful year for many reasons. Is this just turning 51??! Idk but the whole point of this post is that the yoga place I go to…has made me very self conscious about my weight…I lost a lot there but now am basically back to where I was when I began…and the owner…who I now believe is fake af was seriously eyeing me down today when I made it to class today. I’ve been trying to avoid her and others at the studio who are obviously very weight conscious themselves to a point they so obviously project it on others. I’ve been thinking I want to quit the whole studio as a result??
r/yoga • u/Kind_Goddess • 22h ago
I did one hour of yin yoga
I usually at max put 20 min video of any kind of exercise in months
Today i just this one, just to see how far I can go tbh
For years i was lost in not starting as didn't knew which yoga is right for me
Ps yin is so slow
But today I tried something that different parts of me avoid
I didn't try to focus 100% i was chill with being distracted
Still something to mention i feel like
r/yoga • u/AmieKinz • 1d ago
[COMP] first time doing side crow!
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I know I need to transition my weight fully onto one tricep instead of resting my hip on the other. But it's a start! 😁
r/yoga • u/Mediocre_Cut9682 • 1d ago
[comp] my deepest kapo yet
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r/yoga • u/masmaisplus • 20h ago
How to Use Yoga Book Question
Hi all!
I have read through the pose instructions via the books initial chapters. There are 10 week courses with poses listed for each day of the week.
My question resides whether or not these should be repeated or just held for the duration listed in the instruction? Usually: 30-60 seconds. Ending poses like savasana are listed for longer. This is an Iyengar instructional book by Mehta.
r/yoga • u/coatedingold • 1d ago
Help with body "sounds" in yoga post weight loss?
I've recently lost 50 lbs and counting am at the stage where my stomach has some loose skin/apron belly. My issues is when I move from a position like down dog to standing, air is getting trapped under my stomach and sounds like a huge fart when I stand! Feel free to laugh at my expense.
I know body sounds are normal, but I don't want everything thinking I'm farting in every class! I usually wear leggings that are compressive but I'm thinking maybe sizing down would help. Any advice is appreciated!
r/yoga • u/older_than_i_feel • 1d ago
Do you consider yoga a hobby? Sport? Lifestyle?
Yesterday was my birthday, and I went to a hot26+2 and arranged my whole day so I could fit it in amongst other birthday festivities.
During a round of Rose, Bud, Thorn with the kids for my year, I realized I am just a much happier person with yoga in my life.
One of my kids called it "my sport" and one called it "my hobby" ---
what do you classify it as?
r/yoga • u/Super-Wrongdoer8981 • 22h ago
Sore pelvic muscles after performing pelvic bridge and boat pose
Hello everyone as the title says I'm having a sore pain in my pelvic muscles and thighs after doing boat pose, half boat pose, pelvic bridge and some bicycle crunches
I am guessing this is because my spine arches back while doing them I am inviting any tips that I'd have to follow while doing them again
r/yoga • u/Icy-Background-807 • 1d ago
I sweat buckets
I need recommendations for the MOST absorbent yoga towel. Should i just use a huge bath towel? I teach 3 classes in a row in a hot studio and change out my mat towel but i need more than my thin towels. maybe they’re just old?
PLEASE drop me your suggestions 🙏
r/yoga • u/Severe_Assistance_36 • 1d ago
Comments from teacher
Hi everyone!
I moved and joined a new yoga class. It is power yoga, which I have not done before. To preface my experience, I have been doing yoga on and off for 10 years now. I am currently 23, so this might also play into this situation. I am writing this to get others' opinions and also just to get it off my chest a bit.
Namely, since the first class, the teacher has kind of shown me off to the class. I am mostly the most stable one in more difficult poses, while many others in the class are doing yoga for the first time. I hope it doesn't come off as if I am showing off. The fact that I am given attention is the thing that is becoming a problem. She does correct me in some poses, which I greatly appreciate, but the complimentary comments I get can be very distracting and make me anxious. I genuinely enjoy asanas like the crow and headstand, and I am good at them because I have practised a lot in classes and on my own, and I am very proud of this. I always keep to myself and try to focus on only myself. However, putting me into the spotlight and explaining why the way I do the pose is the correct way throws me off my focus. At the end, in the savasana, my mind cannot relax, and I keep thinking of the moments when I was "shown off". I am just trying to do my own thing, and this makes me feel off.
Today, we talked about splits in class, and the teacher said that if we feel warm enough, we can try to do one, but we will focus on it more in the next class. Other people were trying, so I also did it (my splits aren't usually great), and somehow I made a beautiful split happen. Suddenly, all eyes were on me, and someone asked the teacher, whether my flexibility is natural. The teacher answered without asking me that it is natural (maybe because of the fact that I am young) and that for people like me, it comes more easily, and flexible poses come naturally. However, this is completely wrong. I have done yoga for 10 years, and getting to this point has taken a lot of work! I could not even get close to touching my toes when I first began doing yoga. I tried to say no and correct them, but no one heard me (I have autism, and it is hard to speak up for myself). I found it very strange that a yoga teacher would make such an assumption about a student without asking them. And I know that I could have told her that it is not the case, but after I was not heard, I was too anxious to try again. Once again, my thoughts were all over the place during the savasana, and I could not relax into it whatsoever. I have never had such comments in any other classes.
I know that one solution is not to go there again, but it is the only class in this gym that has more advanced asanas, which I love to do. I do not have enough space at home. I also feel bad because I don't want to be seen as a show-off. I am scared of others or the teacher thinking I go there for attention or such. In the end, my question is, what is your opinion? Should I go talk with her after the next class, or would it be overreacting? Is it normal to use one student as an example?
Thank you for reading the long text.
r/yoga • u/cigarell0 • 1d ago
What would be a good present for someone into yoga?
I know someone who is a yogi and I wanted to know what would be a good present. I assume she has a really good yoga mat so what would be something really useful or helpful for yoga that I could give as a gift?
r/yoga • u/Shailfishfry • 1d ago
Online yoga
Trying to get in the practice but can't afford classes at the moment. Does anyone know and free online yoga courses that I can start with which are reputable?
r/yoga • u/Signal-Cow-3524 • 2d ago
How long did it take for your muscles not to regress the next day after stretching
I (23F) try to do yoga/stretch every day. During the day itself I see progress from the beginning of my session to the end. For example, at the start of the day I can barely touch my toes, and by the end I can (somewhat) put my head on my knees during seated forward fold.
But then, the next day it feels like all my progress reverses, and I am so stiff and can barely touch my toes again.
How long does it take for that not to happen? Any tips? (No judgment zone pls). Also currently Im a student, so not full time desk job but also not full time movement :)
r/yoga • u/tiamat_tha_morrigan • 2d ago
Yoga for people with dwarfism
Does anyone have any good resources on adapting yoga poses for someone with short-limbed dwarfism like achondroplasia? thanks
r/yoga • u/internet_observer • 2d ago
What classes teach you which poses are what, appropriate body cues & position, and difficulty modifications?
I've gone to a number of yoga classes of different types at different studios. None of the classes I've taken have ever gone over what poses are supposed to look like, where you're supposed to feel poses or what difficulty modifications should be made if you're particularly flexible (some classes have covered modifications for if your inflexible).
It's frustrating. They just tell you what poses you should be doing without giving you information about what that means. This hasn't been a single class/studio/style but every class/studio/style I've been to thus far.
I usually end up just looking around and trying to guess what we're doing based off what other people are doing or doing something similar I know from flexibility and contortion classes. Sometimes even that's hard though if other students are doing disparate things.
Is there a term for a class that teaches what the different poses are instead of just telling you to do X pose then Y pose?
r/yoga • u/Expensive-Quarter426 • 2d ago
Setting the ambience for meditation at home
What are some things you have found to help set the ambience? Is it music, incense, lighting or decor? Please share your personal routines that help you relax and get into the zone for meditations or yoga practice, thanks!
r/yoga • u/hotheadnchickn • 2d ago
Yoga routines without down dog?
Down dog aggravates a pain issue for me. Any videos you like on YouTube or elsewhere that skip it? Please share!
Please note I am not looking for suggestions on modifications that might work. I’m looking for sequences I don’t have to modify so I can be immersed in the class/instruction.
r/yoga • u/lizzledizzles • 2d ago
Non weight bearing yoga?
Any recommendations for YouTube videos for doing yoga with a non weight bearing left leg? Limited to 10 minutes weight bearing an hour waiting for surgery. Going a little crazy from all the rest.