Guest guest Posted January 16, 2004 Report Share Posted January 16, 2004 I would like to start practicing yoga, but I have two concerns. One is that I am highly inflexible (physically that is; emotionally and psychically, I'm the exact opposite, thankfully, LOL!) and the other is that I am overweight. The first is NOT related to the second very much, as I have been unflexible since childhood when I was merely chubby, and I am less flexible than other people of similar body size and always have been. I walk and before I lost my job, I worked out on fixed weight machines and the like at the local YMCA. Bending and stretching and doing yoga-like things don't normally hurt, I just can't do them very well. When I took a very rigorous health and fitness test at the Y, I scored in heart recovery and other cardiac health measures, sit ups and everything else like I was a 25 y/o, and a healthy one at that -- not the 42 y/o that I am. But I absolutely tanked the flexibility tests. I would like to take a yoga class rather than doing it on my own, mostly because my flat doesn't have the space for it and I would like the feedback from an experienced person. But would I be wasting my classmates' and teacher's time? Should I try the video route despite my cramped quarters? Thanks for any insights anyone can give. Alaja Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2004 Report Share Posted January 16, 2004 Alaja, Hi, I've been doing yoga for a few years and I just wanted to respond to your email. You certainly would NOT be wasting anyones time by taking a yoga class, only your own if you DON'T take it That's what they are there for and your teacher is there to help you along. Do not worry about being inflexible. It doesn't mean that you wouldn't benefit from yoga. I don't know if you know this or not, but there are MANY benefits to doing yoga like mind/body concentration, a feeling of centeredness, it improves your overall flexibility, balance, etc. You don't have to do extended advanced poses to reap the wonderful benefits of yoga. You will feel good about yourself Remember that yoga is NON competitive. When you do your yoga, remember not to worry about what you look like doing the poses ok? And be focused on your own breathing and the way your body feels. I hope you do it. It's wonderful. And if done often, you'll gain flexibility too. Good luck! Aurora Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2004 Report Share Posted January 16, 2004 Dear Alaja, Maybe you can try Bikram Yoga, since it's done in heated room to warm your muscles, prevent injury, allow a deeper workout and cleanse the body by flushing toxins. It is a series of 26 poses and 2 breathing exercises, suitable for all ages and levels of ability. Each posture stretches, strengthens and prepares specific muscles, ligaments and joints needed for the next posture. The Bikram method also stimulates the organs, glands and nerves, moving fresh oxygenated blood to 100 percent of the body, restoring all systems to a healthy working order. Bikram scientifically designed this 90-minute program to deliver total health through the balancing and strengthening of every system in the body in order to prevent illness, injury, promote weight loss and limit the effects of aging. The series of postures combine skills of concentration, patience, determination and self control, which increases mental clarity and reduce stress. I just convinced my 2 friends, who are overweight and inflexible to try it for the first time. The class is this Saturday; I'll let you know if they liked it. Inna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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