yes! yoga has been a part of my life for quite a while. unfortunately not these past 5 months since having neck surgery and being unable to do it. and i notice the difference. i would start my day with it (not first thing) and between the physical stretches and movements and meditation it did alot to improve my mental, physical and spiritual well being.

i don't know whats best for you but i had purchased a videotape (now i'm dating myself!) after doing some research and then taught myself in the privacy of my own home. set up a little area where i would burn incense and start with some ritual. made it a whole mind-body-spirit experience.

another option is to find a beginners class somewhere. chances are people will be in the same boat as you - all new, just starting and feeling self conscious. i hope you can do it and wish you well.

The wonderful thing about yoga is that people of all fitness levels/ages/weights can do it.

There are a lot of different sorts of yoga. I have health challenges so I stick with Hatha yoga and I have a dvd to use at home on days where I'd prefer to practice at home.

Here's an article on the different types of yoga: http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/which-style-of-yoga-is-best-for-you

There's a good article in usnews about how to adapt yoga if you're not a stick figure!: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2013/04/10/yoga-for-people-who-are-overweight-or-obese

I do yoga and very much enjoy it. Due to my anxiety, I prefer the more spiritual classes than the fitness yoga classes. Those classes also tend to be more mixed in terms of the ages/weights of people. It was a nice way to ease into it.

I hope you do give it a go. I've found classes at my local rec center to be reasonably priced and a better mix of "real" people than the yoga studios.

Tai Chi and Qi Gong are other options to consider.

Good luck!

I would have gone completely nuts a long time ago if I didn't have yoga. Of all the things I've used to combat anxiety, it has been the most valuable. Yoga is not just exercise, it's a way of life. When you begin yoga you begin a journey of self realization. Just doing the poses will help you be more discerning and in control of your thoughts and choices. It will also help you to learn how to be and stay in the present moment, which is a huge help when anxiety starts to kick up.

Yoga is for everyone. There are even styles of yoga designed specifically for paraplegics and people with various physical ailments.

I agree you should find a beginner's class in your area. I've met more than a couple overweight women in yoga classes. Once you get started, everyone else is also doing their own thing and they are a lot more worried about their own practice and not about you.

Good luck! I really hope you take this step. It can be life-changing!!

Oh, and one more bit of advice, look for a yoga studio with instructors who have Yoga Alliance certifications, with 200-hour or 500-hour. There is a huge difference between teachers who have had real training and study and those who did a short course to become an instructor at a gym or something.

I do yoga-and it is awesome for anxiety--helps the physical and mental symptoms--I've taken a lot of classes and have seen all body types, and ages in the classes. Me, personally-I stay away from the classes in fitness classes because they are not so much about true yoga-at least in my experience--make sure to take a beginners level course and find a real yoga instructor as mentioned above--I have not had good luck in classes done by ashram people---

don't worry about your weight with yoga--you can be as flexible as anyone else in the class--you can have the same muscle mass--you can breathe and hold a posture as well as anyone-with practice--this is something you can excel at....and even if you don't-you will still reap huge benefit from it!

thanks everyone. There is a class offered at the YMCA and I feel confident in checking it out now.

Just started at the Y. Ppl of all ages and weights. Tried 3 classes and 2 teachers before I found the class i liked. My class starts w/ a little meditation and ends w/ a prayer.