Guest guest Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 He is not too old to start yoga - you can never be too old to start yoga. No need to give him 'psuedo-asanas' - give him proper asanas. Focus on getting him to breathe into the poses. I'm not suggesting he starts with ashtanga, but there are many gentle forms that suit older bodies very well. Like any beginner, he will find that the improvement curve is very rapid at the beginning, and therefore very rewarding. I would only suggest you take two principles from Ashtanga - one, to practice daily, and two, to keep practising even when the body hurts: find the point of pain and back off slightly. Its the same principles that all ashtangis should follow. In fact, yoga can be more beneficial for older bodies, giving flexibility and strength, and mental well-being. Why should those benefits be the preserve of the young ? One of my inspirations was Gwendoline Hunt, still practising in her '70s, and I have pictures of Vanda Scaravelli in her '90s doing really extreme twists and bends. I think there is a book 'Yoga for People over 50' which I expect you can get from Amazon. The biggest problem is his mental resistance to it, because he (and obviously those around him) think that yoga is only for the young and already flexible. Get him a mat ASAP ! Annie (aged 58 !) - " w_cottrell " <w_cottrell <ashtangayoga > Saturday, July 07, 2007 3:50 PM ashtanga yoga Suggestions for elderly man's back problems? > Hi there, > My Dad is developing a slight stoop in his upper back and I wondered if > anyone had suggestions to help. I don't think he's about to start yoga > (he's 64), but is there some pseudo-asanas he might try to help remedy > it? > > Will > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 Hey Will, Best if he saw an experienced teacher to tailor something to his needs. Its said that Ashtanga should not be practiced in its entirety by the over 50's if they have never practiced before. But this does not mean they cannot have a practice. The most important asana being the finishing sequence. But this is still to much for most. Its important someone who knows what they are doing can work with his body to give him something thats beneficial to him. I would say Surya Namaskara A or gentle variations of it would straighten out his back if practiced with gentle consistency every day. You can get good books on yoga for the over 50's with lots of asana variations. But again, someone who knows what they are doing should really work with him, if thats what he wants. mart > " w_cottrell " <w_cottrell >ashtangayoga >ashtangayoga >ashtanga yoga Suggestions for elderly man's back problems? >Sat, 07 Jul 2007 14:50:41 -0000 > >Hi there, >My Dad is developing a slight stoop in his upper back and I wondered if >anyone had suggestions to help. I don't think he's about to start yoga >(he's 64), but is there some pseudo-asanas he might try to help remedy >it? > >Will > _______________ Tell MSN about your most memorable emails! http://www.emailbritain.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 Hello, Mart, I'm a 52 year old male who began practicing Ashtanga about 9 months ago. Though I have not completed the entire practice yet, I intend to in good time. I live in a rural area and have been learning exclusively with home practice along with email tips and encouragement from my sister-in-law who is a yoga teacher in London. I am curious as to who says that " over 50's " should not practice Ashtanga. We are all distinct individuals with different talents, capabilities and needs. There is nothing wrong with setting out to accomplish goals that others may feel are beyond our grasp. Peace, Jim ______________________________\ ____ Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows. Answers - Check it out. http://answers./dir/?link=list & sid=396545469 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 well Jois has said " ashtanga yoga for everyone, but don't bother after 70 " . Jim Ott <jkott22 wrote: Hello, Mart, I'm a 52 year old male who began practicing Ashtanga about 9 months ago. Though I have not completed the entire practice yet, I intend to in good time. I live in a rural area and have been learning exclusively with home practice along with email tips and encouragement from my sister-in-law who is a yoga teacher in London. I am curious as to who says that " over 50's " should not practice Ashtanga. We are all distinct individuals with different talents, capabilities and needs. There is nothing wrong with setting out to accomplish goals that others may feel are beyond our grasp. Peace, Jim ________ Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows. Answers - Check it out. http://answers./dir/?link=list & sid=396545469 oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 I am sorry i did not make myself clear. I did not mean to say one cannot practice yoga over 50. One can start practicing yoga at anytime of life in any state of health. But as with anyone it is advisable to listen to your body and proceed with relevance to yourself. Perhaps i was trying to generalise in saying one who is older and unaccustomed to physical exercise should proceed with more caution than one who is young and very flexible and accustomed to running/jumping about etc. Perhaps that was a misleading comment. As everyone should be mindful in practice. Its great that you have discovered Ashtanga. All the best to you. mart. >Jim Ott <jkott22 >ashtangayoga >ashtangayoga >ashtanga yoga Re: Suggestions for elderly man's back problems? >Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:40:39 -0700 (PDT) > >Hello, Mart, I'm a 52 year old male who began >practicing Ashtanga about 9 months ago. Though I have >not completed the entire practice yet, I intend to in >good time. I live in a rural area and have been >learning exclusively with home practice along with >email tips and encouragement from my sister-in-law who >is a yoga teacher in London. I am curious as to who >says that " over 50's " should not practice Ashtanga. We >are all distinct individuals with different talents, >capabilities and needs. There is nothing wrong with >setting out to accomplish goals that others may feel >are beyond our grasp. Peace, Jim > > > >_____________________________\ _____ >Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows. > Answers - Check it out. >http://answers./dir/?link=list & sid=396545469 _______________ Win tickets to the sold out Live Earth concert! http://liveearth.uk.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 ashtangayoga , Jim Ott <jkott22 wrote: > > Hello, Mart, I'm a 52 year old male who began > practicing Ashtanga about 9 months ago. Though I have > not completed the entire practice yet, I intend to in > good time. I live in a rural area and have been > learning exclusively with home practice along with > email tips and encouragement from my sister-in-law who > is a yoga teacher in London. I am curious as to who > says that " over 50's " should not practice Ashtanga. We > are all distinct individuals with different talents, > capabilities and needs. There is nothing wrong with > setting out to accomplish goals that others may feel > are beyond our grasp. Peace, Jim > > > > Hi Jim So glad to hear you are practicing this incredible form of Yoga. I'm curious about your home practice. I've been doing home practice also and have created a yoga collective in my town. We get together 2 or 3 times a week and are guided by video, or audio tape. Either Richard Freeman's Primary Series, or David Swenson's Primary Series. It has helped all of us remain more consistent with our practice. Namaste, Suzanne__ ______________________________\ __ > Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows. Answers - Check it out. > http://answers./dir/?link=list & sid=396545469 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 After a year of Iyengar class at the local community college I joined my wife at the local Ashtanga studio. I was 67 and can say age is not a barrier if one listens to his or her body, doesn't rush and hopefully has a competent teacher. In my case I was in decent physical shape from lots of aerobic exercise (swim/bike/run) but that background also meant I have a tight back and some of the tightest hamstrings in existence. Despite that, over the past year+ i have worked my way thru half primary and am working on the rest. I will be the first to admit there are many asanas where I use 'alternative' positions as shown in the David Swenson book (I highly recommend it for those who are flexibility challenged) as it shows several options for most poses. My wife is well into second series so our practices are dramatically different in content, but I get as much joy out of my practice as she do with hers, despite my physical limitations. -- enn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 Hello Jim, my name is Daniela and I live in Mexico. Many years ago I attended the GFU and there took yoga classes daily from 5-7 am. I liked it a lot and kept this routine for probably ten years . Also became vegetarian then and still am. Then I started meditating and became too busy at work so yoga was left aside. Now I am 57 and started with some yoga through TV and lately went back to the GFU where they still keep the SAME routine that we did back then. Well I do like it but it also seems a bit stale in the sense that new asanas or routines would we welcomed (at least by me) and so I looked yoga in the net and thus came upon this ashanta group but sstill don't know what kind of yoga this ashanta is? could you or anybody explain a bit more? Thanks. Daniela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 Ed, would you mind to tell me a little about your motivation to change from Iyengar to Ashtanga. I have myself been doing Ashtanga for 2years and was considering Iyengar to help me with the flexibility challenge (mostly backbending and tight shoulders) using the props. Namaste René On 13-Jul-07, at 11:08 AM, Ed Nobis wrote: > After a year of Iyengar class at the local community college I > joined my > wife at the local Ashtanga studio. I was 67 and can say age is not > a barrier > if one listens to his or her body, doesn't rush and hopefully has a > competent teacher. In my case I was in decent physical shape from > lots of > aerobic exercise (swim/bike/run) but that background also meant I > have a > tight back and some of the tightest hamstrings in existence. > > Despite that, over the past year+ i have worked my way thru half > primary and > am working on the rest. I will be the first to admit there are many > asanas > where I use 'alternative' positions as shown in the David Swenson > book (I > highly recommend it for those who are flexibility challenged) as it > shows > several options for most poses. > > My wife is well into second series so our practices are dramatically > different in content, but I get as much joy out of my practice as > she do > with hers, despite my physical limitations. > > -- > enn > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 Hello, Suzanne and all others who replied to my email. Like Ed, who took up yoga at a later age, I had a physically active background (can identify with those tight hamstrings), but a few years ago I was struck with an illness involving immune and detoxification issues. I came across Ashtanga after Googling " healing yoga'. I had dabbled with yoga in the past, but immediately felt a connection as soon as I began the Primary Series. It just felt right. I also became a vegetarian to aid in my healing. As far as my home practice, I started with a DVD, " Ashtanga Yoga Beginners Practice " by Nicki Doane. While this provides very clear instruction, I felt less constricted working at my own pace and now rely on David Swenson's " Practice Manual " for guidance along with advice on my form from my wife, who practices hatha yoga. I soon hope to be able to attend a class at least once a week in Austin, TX. Can anyone can offer advice on a good program there? I know David Swenson is based in Austin, but he travels extensively and only occasionally teaches workshops there. Also, Daniela, there are many others in this group more qualified than I to give you background on Ashtanga. Look for writings by Pattabhi Jois, the master, or the before mentioned David Swenson for guidance. Thank you all, Jim ______________________________\ ____ Take the Internet to Go: Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos & more. http://mobile./go?refer=1GNXIC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2007 Report Share Posted July 15, 2007 ashtangayoga , daniela alvarado <albayuri2007 wrote: > > Hello Jim, my name is Daniela and I live in Mexico. Many years ago I attended the GFU and there took yoga classes daily from 5-7 am. I liked it a lot and kept this routine for probably ten years . Also became vegetarian then and still am. Then I started meditating and became too busy at work so yoga was left aside. Now I am 57 and started with some yoga through TV and lately went back to the GFU where they still keep the SAME routine that we did back then. Well I do like it but it also seems a bit stale in the sense that new asanas or routines would we welcomed (at least by me) and so I looked yoga in the net and thus came upon this ashanta group but sstill don't know what kind of yoga this ashanta is? could you or anybody explain a bit more? Thanks. Daniela >Hello daniela my self swami shnkaranand from india i just try to explain you about the ashtang yog. it is a kind of yoga for yog theyoga and the yog is different this ashtang yoga is helpful you to connect yourself in yog. yog means to connect yourself with the god the creator of the world.if you need any details then you welcome and mail me thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2007 Report Share Posted July 17, 2007 Hey Mart! You never let on how old YOU are! Loads of good advice from all directions. I think it all has a lot to do with who you are and where you¹re coming from. I imagine that anyone whatever age who takes up ashtanga is probably fairly physically active to begin with. I cannot imagine that all that bending & stretching and leaping about would appeal to anyone of sedentary tendencies. Probably many of the people who come to the practice later are looking specifically for a physically intensive practice and have a history of athletic activity, dance or whatever. I know sedentary teenagers and twenty year olds who have difficulty getting up the steps leading to the door of my house, so all this is relative. I continue to believe that the satisfaction of doing ashtanga practice (at least for me) is in a very special kind of physical exertion which, when you get it right, on your own terms, unlocks other degrees of perception. I¹ve always been useless at sitting still and meditating my mind goes into spirals of parallel activity. Tom said that if you only practice intermittently everything snaps back and gets stiffer that¹s scary but it makes sense. So maybe it¹s better to do a gentler practice but keep going, not stop. I find this is the hardest since I stopped going to classes for economic reasons but it is much more satisfying to at least do a minimum everyday and easier. I find that if I can only make it as far as my mat and get into surya A it then gets very hard to stop going all the way through my habitual sequence even when I¹m an hour late for wherever it was I was supposed to be. Someone else said that if you are only doing the standing poses you concentrate on strength and resistance and not flexibility. What about the finishing sequence? And do you mean body and mind? Does that mean an inflexible mindset as well? I liked P. Olof¹s comment that knees are only hinges. Sometimes I wish it was possible to insert a little D40 oil to ease it up! The hinges get a bit dry and rusty after years of use. As regards back problems, I think elderly is a state of mind more than anything else. When I was twenty I remember having back problems which I attempted to solve by lying down for a week. Thirty years later when that happens, I go to an acupuncturist, apply some heat and start doing surya A without jumping. This usually solves the problem in a couple of days. A friend here said that after ten, twenty, thirty you get to the age of the Condor a pun as ŒCom dor¹ in Portuguese means with pain. Maybe another problem is that global capitalism constantly tries to convince us that we should never feel any pain that if we do, there is some expensive remedy to cure it, instantly of course. Rusty hinges usually work better if you move them regularly ... part of the knowing yourself is also overcoming fear and understanding that no-one is coming to save you but there are a lot of people out there in the same predicament. Cheers to all Vik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 On 7/17/07 6:36 PM, " Victoria Birkbeck " <vik wrote: > > > > > Hey Mart! You never let on how old YOU are! > Loads of good advice from all directions. I think it all has a lot to do > with who you are and where you¹re coming from. I imagine that anyone > whatever age who takes up ashtanga is probably fairly physically active to > begin with. I cannot imagine that all that bending & stretching and leaping > about would appeal to anyone of sedentary tendencies. Probably many of the > people who come to the practice later are looking specifically for a > physically intensive practice and have a history of athletic activity, dance > or whatever. I know sedentary teenagers and twenty year olds who have > difficulty getting up the steps leading to the door of my house, so all this > is relative. > I continue to believe that the satisfaction of doing ashtanga practice (at > least for me) is in a very special kind of physical exertion which, when you > get it right, on your own terms, unlocks other degrees of perception. I¹ve > always been useless at sitting still and meditating my mind goes into > spirals of parallel activity. Tom said that if you only practice > intermittently everything snaps back and gets stiffer that¹s scary but it > makes sense. So maybe it¹s better to do a gentler practice but keep going, > not stop. I find this is the hardest since I stopped going to classes for > economic reasons but it is much more satisfying to at least do a minimum > everyday and easier. I find that if I can only make it as far as my mat > and get into surya A it then gets very hard to stop going all the way > through my habitual sequence even when I¹m an hour late for wherever it was > I was supposed to be. > Someone else said that if you are only doing the standing poses you > concentrate on strength and resistance and not flexibility. What about the > finishing sequence? And do you mean body and mind? Does that mean an > inflexible mindset as well? I liked P. Olof¹s comment that knees are only > hinges. Sometimes I wish it was possible to insert a little D40 oil to ease > it up! The hinges get a bit dry and rusty after years of use. > As regards back problems, I think elderly is a state of mind more than > anything else. When I was twenty I remember having back problems which I > attempted to solve by lying down for a week. Thirty years later when that > happens, I go to an acupuncturist, apply some heat and start doing surya A > without jumping. This usually solves the problem in a couple of days. A > friend here said that after ten, twenty, thirty you get to the age of the > Condor a pun as ŒCom dor¹ in Portuguese means with pain. Maybe another > problem is that global capitalism constantly tries to convince us that we > should never feel any pain that if we do, there is some expensive remedy > to cure it, instantly of course. Rusty hinges usually work better if you > move them regularly ... part of the knowing yourself is also overcoming > fear and understanding that no-one is coming to save you but there are a lot > of people out there in the same predicament. > > Cheers to all > > Vik > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 Great post, Vic - I would only add that some days it is fine just to do 3 'A' and 3'B' and 3 finishing asanas. Some days that's all I have time to do, or sometimes the inclination / motivation just isn't there, but if I can just do that, the very basic, it keeps everything 'connected' and next time I do a stronger, longer practice it is so much easier. In other words, just a little every day is better than nothing at all. Annie - " Victoria Birkbeck " <vik <ashtangayoga > Monday, July 23, 2007 9:57 PM Re: ashtanga yoga Re: Suggestions for elderly man's back problems? On 7/17/07 6:36 PM, " Victoria Birkbeck " <vik wrote: > > > > > Hey Mart! You never let on how old YOU are! > Loads of good advice from all directions. I think it all has a lot to do > with who you are and where you¹re coming from. I imagine that anyone > whatever age who takes up ashtanga is probably fairly physically active to > begin with. I cannot imagine that all that bending & stretching and > leaping > about would appeal to anyone of sedentary tendencies. Probably many of the > people who come to the practice later are looking specifically for a > physically intensive practice and have a history of athletic activity, > dance > or whatever. I know sedentary teenagers and twenty year olds who have > difficulty getting up the steps leading to the door of my house, so all > this > is relative. > I continue to believe that the satisfaction of doing ashtanga practice (at > least for me) is in a very special kind of physical exertion which, when > you > get it right, on your own terms, unlocks other degrees of perception. I¹ve > always been useless at sitting still and meditating my mind goes into > spirals of parallel activity. Tom said that if you only practice > intermittently everything snaps back and gets stiffer that¹s scary but > it > makes sense. So maybe it¹s better to do a gentler practice but keep going, > not stop. I find this is the hardest since I stopped going to classes for > economic reasons but it is much more satisfying to at least do a minimum > everyday and easier. I find that if I can only make it as far as my mat > and get into surya A it then gets very hard to stop going all the way > through my habitual sequence even when I¹m an hour late for wherever it > was > I was supposed to be. > Someone else said that if you are only doing the standing poses you > concentrate on strength and resistance and not flexibility. What about the > finishing sequence? And do you mean body and mind? Does that mean an > inflexible mindset as well? I liked P. Olof¹s comment that knees are only > hinges. Sometimes I wish it was possible to insert a little D40 oil to > ease > it up! The hinges get a bit dry and rusty after years of use. > As regards back problems, I think elderly is a state of mind more than > anything else. When I was twenty I remember having back problems which I > attempted to solve by lying down for a week. Thirty years later when that > happens, I go to an acupuncturist, apply some heat and start doing surya A > without jumping. This usually solves the problem in a couple of days. A > friend here said that after ten, twenty, thirty you get to the age of the > Condor a pun as OCom dor¹ in Portuguese means with pain. Maybe another > problem is that global capitalism constantly tries to convince us that we > should never feel any pain that if we do, there is some expensive remedy > to cure it, instantly of course. Rusty hinges usually work better if you > move them regularly ... part of the knowing yourself is also overcoming > fear and understanding that no-one is coming to save you but there are a > lot > of people out there in the same predicament. > > Cheers to all > > Vik > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 ashtangayoga , " mart ... " <martw77 wrote: > > Hey Will, > > Best if he saw an experienced teacher to tailor something to his needs. Its > said that Ashtanga should not be practiced in its entirety by the over 50's > if they have never practiced before. But this does not mean they cannot have > a practice. The most important asana being the finishing sequence. But this > is still to much for most. Its important someone who knows what they are > doing can work with his body to give him something thats beneficial to him. > I would say Surya Namaskara A or gentle variations of it would straighten > out his back if practiced with gentle consistency every day. You can get > good books on yoga for the over 50's with lots of asana variations. But > again, someone who knows what they are doing should really work with him, if > thats what he wants. > > mart > > > > " w_cottrell " <w_cottrell > >ashtangayoga > >ashtangayoga > >ashtanga yoga Suggestions for elderly man's back problems? > >Sat, 07 Jul 2007 14:50:41 -0000 > > > >Hi there, > >My Dad is developing a slight stoop in his upper back and I wondered if > >anyone had suggestions to help. I don't think he's about to start yoga > >(he's 64), but is there some pseudo-asanas he might try to help remedy > >it? > > > >Will > > > > _______________ > Tell MSN about your most memorable emails! http://www.emailbritain.co.uk/ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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