Guest guest Report post Posted November 17, 1999 At 50 years old I began to do ashtanga yoga to promote "flexibility". Now, two years later, I practice up to 5x/week and experience significant changes in overall sense of well-being. <br><br>Never a weightlifter, I was an avid tennis player.<br>My desire to play tennis has now shifted and practically disappeared. For me ashtanga yoga practice suffices and rewards (and also strengthens sufficiently) so that other activities are felt to be either redundant or not necessary. As a man - an aging American man - I believe that the flexibility benefits, spiritual benefits, and affective benefits (feeling), far outweigh any need to compete or to build up strength in other ways. In the club where I practice I have a difficult time comprehending why already very strong men continue to work so hard on building strength.<br><br>Its also clear that ashtanga is rehabilitative and restorative. Carpal tunnel symptoms from tennis disappeared. Back and hip aches eliminated. Muscle tension alleviated. Etc.<br><br>I say, in short, if the desire for other sports subsides under the influence of ashtanga, heed those feelings.<br><br>Paul Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites