yoga!

[murry]

lets get a discussion going.

if you do it: why do you do it, how long have you done it for, whats great about it etc etc lets chat.

i read in a magazine that, yes, religious people obviously reap benefits; however, yoga can do the same thing for you. i want to start classes and it's truly perfect for someone like me, i think. i believe in the afterlife and spirituality, but i don't believe in a certain god or commit to a certain religion. i was raised catholic but as i matured i started to see religion as hypocritical and it just rubbed me the wrong way-not to offend anyone!! but yeah, is yoga as great as i'm hoping it will be?

[NowVoyager]

Hey Mrry,
I am not an experienced yogi, but have just bought a book on yoga and healing, and a couple yoga dvd's. Did the am/pm dvd last night and this morning, and am a tich sore, but am amazed at the calming effects it had.
I am not approaching yoga from a religious aspect, rather a de-stressor.
(it's cheaper and healthier than Bacardi:rockon:)(kidding). I've read that asside from building and stretching muscle, that yoga actually tones and massages the internal organs, and gently adjusts the spine. According to this book, there are poses you can do for specific health issues....very interesting.
Let us know how you do with your practice!
cindi

[sunshinegal]

I am definitely not an experienced yogi, but I have about 10 dvds that I can use when I want to do some yoga. I am not very flexible so yoga is tough for me, but I find it challenging, rewarding and calming. I go through phases of yoga, I need to make it more routine. I have a stressful and hectic job and yoga makes it better instead of reaching for some alcohol. lol

I do yoga to stretch me out, help with my balance and as to calm me down.

[VeggieMath]

I have taken classes, I really liked how I felt doing it once a week. I am having some problems with my shoulder so I had to stop. I hope they can fix my shoulder so I can yoga again.

[murry]

yeahh, i've had dvd's but i'm really excited to find a good class. i think it will be a much better experience, plus, i have no excuse of putting it off as i can easily do with a dvd.

i didn't know that yoga can directly help internal organs and the spine! theres soo many benefits, this must be one of the best ways to exercise if not THE best.

[Fyvel]

I absolutely love yoga. I started in .. March (give or take a month) of this year. I had previously dabbled in some easy classes a few years ago and enjoyed it. I try to go to yoga class at least once a week. It is a great workout, has increased my flexibility, and it's great for destressing. I really notice a difference on weeks when I can't make it into class (like this week with my mystery elbow pain).

[sunshinegal]

I would eventually like to take a class, but because my balance isn't the greatest and my flexibility is terrible I tend to fall all over the place during some of the moves. I need to get a little bit better in both departments before I venture into public humiliation yoga. ;)

[cookingVeg]

I take yoga a couple times a week. I find it's doing wonders for my stress level -- I feel much calmer throughout the week.

I do recommend going to a yoga school rather than renting videos -- it's very hard to tell whether you're doing things right without instruction, and you can injure yourself if you're doing things wrong.

[zoebird]

i've been practicing yoga since i was 4 years old; i'm now 31. i've been teaching yoga since i was 19.

yoga is a spiritual discipline, like prayer, that helps us to come into contact and knowledge of the divine. yoga is a diverse study--there are many overarching threads or streams of yoga philosophy; from this, many kinds of yoga practices including hatha yoga (yoga of postures); there are many styles of hatha yoga (astanga, iyengar, kundalini, sivananda, etc); and many styles within those styles of teaching.

yoga is a powerful practice of self knowledge. i really love it.

here is my web site (http://www.jenifermparker.com). i have a lot of materials on there that you might find useful.

[Fyvel]

I would eventually like to take a class, but because my balance isn't the greatest and my flexibility is terrible I tend to fall all over the place during some of the moves. I need to get a little bit better in both departments before I venture into public humiliation yoga. ;)

The best way to increase your balance and flexibility? Yoga class. :D

I suggest finding yourself a beginner's class. Nobody expects you to be good in that class and the instructor is usually more helpful, seeing as they know they are dealing with a beginner.

[Stephleberry]

I'm a work out addict, and I have been doing yoga for a while now and I'm in love with it!

Why?

Well for starters, I get up at 6 am to do it, and it's an amazing way to have quiet time with yourself and your thoughts.

Secondly, in every practice you state an intention (power of positive thinking) and with each breath you are living that intention. It's a great way to jump start the day on a postive and calm note.

Thirdly, I am much more flexible, less prone to injury and am acheiving more in my day to day life (getting up early).

Lastly, I have been able to tone utilize muscles I didn't know exist!

All in all, it's an amazing practice. It's really about finding a video/class that is right for you.

I would highly recommend videos and classes in combination, so that you get an instructor telling you the correct way to do the poses/how you should feel/what you should be aiming for.

[bluesand]

All in all, it's an amazing practice. It's really about finding a video/class that is right for you.

I would highly recommend videos and classes in combination, so that you get an instructor telling you the correct way to do the poses/how you should feel/what you should be aiming for.


^^ I agree , especially getting a GOOD teacher if there is one in your area

[Fyvel]

I actually take my yoga classes at Crunch (http://www.crunch.com/crunch/). At my location, they have at least one yoga class a day (well except Sundays but I hear that is changing next month). It gives a wide variety of classes and instructors (some good, some not so good). It's also cost-effective since I get to go to yoga AND the gym as often as I like for one fixed price every month. And no, I do not work for them or get comission for referrals ;)

[Katezinha]

Yoga is something I definitely want to try... I might start by buying some DVDs and then go to a class.

[Fyvel]

Yoga is something I definitely want to try... I might start by buying some DVDs and then go to a class.

Definitely get yourself into a class, sooner rather than later. It's best to make sure you're doing the poses properly. Once you know how to do the poses, a DVD is a great way to do yoga when a class isn't available :)

[Katezinha]

Definitely get yourself into a class, sooner rather than later. It's best to make sure you're doing the poses properly. Once you know how to do the poses, a DVD is a great way to do yoga when a class isn't available :)

Thanks! I was going to do it the other way around... lol I'll start with the class then.

[karenlovessnow]

I think I definitely NEED yoga. But I always turn away from it because I'm so hyper that I'm afraid it will be boring for me and that I won't have the discipline to do it correctly. I also have poor balance/flexibility. I always go for the more vigorous type of exercise but I'm really starting to think that I need to re-think my views on yoga. The more hyper I am, the more I probably need yoga. I'm going to look into the fall classes to see if there is one I can take! :)

[zoebird]

karen:

you might do really well with a vinyasa style class (also called flow).

also, i tell people, you do yoga to develop balance and flexibility. you don't need to have it to start out with! :D

[Starblossom]

I do yoga sometimes. I taught myself from this power yoga book I really like by Baron Baptiste. I haven't learned all the moves in it yet but I like how they all flow into one another. I do not do it for spiritual purposes, it is just for health. My back tends to get really sore from my warehouse job, so I will do yoga afterward. It does wonders for my back.

I wouldn't mind taking a class because there are some terms I don't completely understand in the book. I worry though that I'll be bored with a class. It seems most of the ones around here are Hatha yoga which I find boring and too easy.

[hopi100]

A friend of mine is in love with Bikram yoga. I'd like to give it a try, but I'm nervous about the heat! Does anyone have any advice on how to handle my first Bikram session?

[phoenix91]

I did yoga for a semester in college and liked it. I liked how it made me feel all warm and fuzzy once i had finished a session. Unfortunately i pushed myself too far and pulled a hamstring and had to take it easy for a while. I havn't gotten back into it but would love to.

[NowVoyager]

I have been doing my AM/PM yoga dvd everyday faithfully for about 10 days now, and Wow what a difference!!! It has a morning routine about 20 minutes long, that energizes me, and a pm routine, about 20 minutes long, that is very restful....I am sleeping SOOOO much better since incorporating this along with regular walks and biking..........

[phoenix91]

I have been doing my AM/PM yoga dvd everyday faithfully for about 10 days now, and Wow what a difference!!! It has a morning routine about 20 minutes long, that energizes me, and a pm routine, about 20 minutes long, that is very restful....I am sleeping SOOOO much better since incorporating this along with regular walks and biking..........

wow..i wish i had time to incorportate something liek this into my day. Whats the dvd called?

[Fyvel]

I find that I always sleep better when I incorporate some exercise into my routine, regardless of the type :)

[NowVoyager]

wow..i wish i had time to incorportate something liek this into my day. Whats the dvd called?

It is called "AM and PM YOGA/with Rodney yee, and Patricia Walden
The company that put it out is called GAIAM, I picked it up at Barnes&Noble.
The one I have specifies 'for beginners', I'm guessing they have one for more experienced people??
It's quick/easy, and has helped my back and glute tightness.