Yoga

ShallowSeas · March 2014

FI decided last night that he wanted to start Yoga. We bought a yoga dvd and we are buying our mats this evening and starting it. He is hoping to reduce stress, relax, and lower his BP with it. I'm doing it because he asked me to and I think it will be nice to share something like that together. Have any of you ladies done yoga or currently do yoga? What benefits have gotten out of it? I don't really know much about it and I'm not sure what I should be expecting to get from it.

GoldenPenguin · March 2014

I have Jillian Michael's Yoga Meltdown. It's way harder than I thought. I'm always sore the next day!

[Deleted User] · March 2014

I've only ever done Jillian Michael's yoga... so, it's not exactly "relaxing" like other yoga might be. but I did enjoy it! that's all I've got...

ShallowSeas · March 2014

@BriSox81
@CocoBellaF

We bought a beginners DVD to start out with but we plan on getting another one thats a little harder in a couple weeks. I saw Jillian Michaels had a yoga dvd. I really like her so I may try that one. We also saw a couple yoga dvds for weight loss that FI and I are interested.

GoldenPenguin · March 2014

Jillian's Yoga Meltdown DVD has two levels to choose from too - and they have one girl who does "beginner" versions of the poses, which is helpful. It's also a dynamic, weight-loss yoga.

[Deleted User] · March 2014

H and I have both done yoga before regularly. I've done different types of yoga that vary from being really intense like Jillian's and the 90X yoga. I've also done Hot Yoga which is absolutely amazing! I always feel great and relaxed afterwards. It's tough but it really helps your flexibility and it's a great stress reliever. Just go at your own pace, it's all about increasing your stretching depth, balance, and flexibility.

labro · March 2014

I've done both types...the more relaxing and the Jillian Michael's Yoga Meltdown and I took some hot yoga classes that were seriously the best thing ever. Even with normal yoga I feel like I get some sort of strength training from the exercises. And I always feel relaxed and more open afterwards. I would recommend trying some in person instructor led classes if you're just starting out and have never done yoga before though. It can be helpful with getting some of the poses right...although it isn't about your body being "just-so" it's still helpful if you're doing something way off that you shouldn't be and you don't even realize it. For example, I am apparently double jointed in my elbows and during table I was sticking my elbows backwards or whatever rather than holding my arms straight.

I feel increased strength in my core and more flexibility when I do yoga on a regular basis. My best advice is don't forget to breathe. Try to keep it steady and even and don't hold your breath...it's easier than you think to unconsciously tighten up and hold your breath in some poses!

KeptInStitches · March 2014

Thanks, @lmhollister! I was lurking on this thread wondering if I should suck it up and pay for a few instructor-led classes since I'm a yoga novice.

labro · March 2014

It shouldn't be too expensive @KeptInStitches. I seriously see Groupon's all the time for yoga and pilates classes in my area. My friend and I used to go to a local YMCA type gym that was $35 a month for general membership. We only went for the yoga and a yoga/pilates blend classes and I definitely felt like we got our money's worth out of going 2 or 3 times week.

Blue & White · March 2014

My sister is a yoga instructor. She does headstands a lot

she loves it though and credits it with helping her through her eating disorder so I think it's pretty powerful if it's for you.

Peaseblossom55 · March 2014

I did yoga for a bit it was ok, the classes I took were good, but Ilike something a bit faster pace. I have these yoga booty ballet dvd's where do yoga dancing and some stretching strength training and they are more my pace.

minskat30 · March 2014

I did yoga for a little bit (the hot, power version). I did feel better after doing it but I have little flexibility and even less balance so I gave up on it because I kept feeling dumb falling over.

I'm sure I would have improved both if I kept at it and it did feel relaxing after the fact.

Ollie08 · March 2014

PSA: Groupon has Jillian Michaels DVDs (including Yoga Meltdown) for $5.99. LINK

suzie211 · March 2014

You name it, and I've tried it. When I first tried yoga, I hated it. It's grown on me and I really like it. I'm a competing person, and at first I would get frustrated comparing my skill level to others. Over time I learned to just work on my practice. It's helped and I find yoga really calms me and had helped with my stress levels.

Google Tara Stiles. She's a friend of mine ( I danced with her in HS and new her before she was buddy, buddy with Jane Fonda and Deepak Chopra), and has a great philosophy towards yoga. She takes the pretentiousness out if it. She has a book and videos, but started out on YouTube. She was know on for her 10 min yoga segments on there.

Good luck!

emmyg65 · March 2014

Yep, I do yoga a lot, usually Level 1 or Gentle Yoga. I have fibromyalgia, as well as depression and anxiety, and it's enormously helpful for all three. I view it mainly as a moving meditation and a chance to calm my mind, not as exercise. Because of that, I don't really like Bikram or high-intensity yoga.

SmileDamnit · March 2014

Oh, how I wish I could embrace Yoga, but I'm afraid we're just not meant to be friends. I failed it twice in undergrad (yes, you can fail yoga) and have given it a go a couple more times to no avail. I totally appreciate the discipline it requires and the core body benefits of sticking to it - I just struggle so much with it. I recently started barre classes, and they do incorporate a wee bit of yoga technique in some of the stretches, so I won't give up all hope.

ShallowSeas · March 2014

Niccirf said:

Oh, how I wish I could embrace Yoga, but I'm afraid we're just not meant to be friends. I failed it twice in undergrad (yes, you can fail yoga) and have given it a go a couple more times to no avail. I totally appreciate the discipline it requires and the core body benefits of sticking to it - I just struggle so much with it. I recently started barre classes, and they do incorporate a wee bit of yoga technique in some of the stretches, so I won't give up all hope.

@Niccirf this is what I'm afraid of! I've never done yoga but FI really likes it so I'm hoping that I will like it and get some benefits from it. Its never been something I've had any interest in and never appealed to me...but maybe I'll like it... $:\$

audrewuh · March 2014

I actually am using Tara Stiles' 10 minute work outs twice a day to get me into a healthier routine. Today is the first day and so far, so good!

I found that with my mat, and even when I was on my carpet, my hands slipped. A lot. It was really discouraging, so I never was really consistent. Starting a new plan today, I bitched to H about it after I stopped in the middle of JM's yoga meltdown. I took a shower and tried again. Something about coming right out of the shower made my hands much less slippery and wearing socks helped my feet grip, too.

Good luck!! Check back in a week and let me know how you're doing?

ETA: I've done yoga off and on for the last six months, but never consistently and always with free videos online.

SmileDamnit · March 2014

severmilli12 said:

Niccirf said:

Oh, how I wish I could embrace Yoga, but I'm afraid we're just not meant to be friends. I failed it twice in undergrad (yes, you can fail yoga) and have given it a go a couple more times to no avail. I totally appreciate the discipline it requires and the core body benefits of sticking to it - I just struggle so much with it. I recently started barre classes, and they do incorporate a wee bit of yoga technique in some of the stretches, so I won't give up all hope.

@Niccirf this is what I'm afraid of! I've never done yoga but FI really likes it so I'm hoping that I will like it and get some benefits from it. Its never been something I've had any interest in and never appealed to me...but maybe I'll like it... $:\$

Maybe invest in a month and see if it catches on? Even if it doesn't end up sticking and you find you prefer a more cardio based regime, then there are tons of great options out there. Kudos to you for giving it a shot!

lc07 · March 2014

Yoga has changed my life.

I work in a field where I do manual labor and would have muscle pain in my back regularly. Doing yoga has completely eliminated my muscle pain. It's amazing.

Like one of the PP, I suggest taking a class so that an instructor can guide you through it and correct any problems you have with form. Personally, I thrive in a class setting where I can't give up halfway through when it gets tough and walk out of the room. (I mean I could but thats super awkward) whereas working out at home to a DVD I'm much more likely to quit part way through.

There are also a TON of different styles of classes so it may take going to different classes with different instructors until you find the perfect fit.

I would suggest starting with Yin Yoga or an entry level Vinyasa Flow class.

lc07 · March 2014

emmyg65 said:

Yep, I do yoga a lot, usually Level 1 or Gentle Yoga. I have fibromyalgia, as well as depression and anxiety, and it's enormously helpful for all three. I view it mainly as a moving meditation and a chance to calm my mind, not as exercise. Because of that, I don't really like Bikram or high-intensity yoga.

@emmyg65 I suffer from depression and anxiety as well and Yoga has been an enormous relief/outlet for me. I think that's an excellent point that you made. Sometimes I cry through the beginning of the class and hope everyone just ignores me. I ALWAYS feel better afterwards.

LadyMillil · March 2014

I took yoga a few years ago and I didn't like it. I found it boring and too "crunchy" for me. A yoga studio opened near by apartment in the fall and they had free classes for the grand opening, so I gave it another try. The teachers at this studio do mostly flow yoga, so you are constantly moving around and actually working up a sweat. I really like the classes there so I go 2-3 times a week. I find I'm more relaxed and my balance and flexibility have improved a lot. I ditto previous posters that suggested signing up for a couple of classes. There are some poses that if you do them incorrectly you can hurt yourself (putting too much stress on joints, etc).

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