Clumsiness

I'm eager to start yoga, but i'm kind of afraid to take a class and look like a fool (clumsiness). Would it be ok to start practicing on my own before attending a class? or should I face the possibility of humiliation and grin and bear it?

I understand that. The good thing about taking a class is the teacher will correct you if you are taking more of a beginners class or a class where there aren’t more intermediate and advanced yogi’s. If you’d like to start practicing at home first, you may. Though, I think you might benefit more from starting to take classes now as well as doing it at home.There will be no humiliation unless you do not let go of your ego when you go. You shouldn’t feel like you have to do as well as the person next to you, who might be able to do a certain pose easily while you struggle. Pay attention to your body only, especially how it feels. You don’t want to push yourself too far because you can either hurt yourself or fall. If you push too hard through a pose, you might never learn it because you are not being patient with yourself. That’s part of what yoga is about… patience. You also might be surprised what your body is already capable when you really put yourself to it. Also, the more mindful and patient you are, the less clumsy you’ll be. read more..