Yoga classes?

WaterIsLife · 10-31-2007, 08:10 AM

I'm considering taking yoga classes. While lately a feel that I have a good work/life balance, particularly given some of the things I've discovered about myself and have discussed in different threads, I'm thinking that it might be a good idea to engage in an activity like yoga.

Otherwise I have been getting ample exercise: lifting weights at the gym, running (decided to do a 15K soon to keep me on track), and I get out with my bike 1-2 times a week.

So what do you think about yoga? Has it been helpful to you? I know there are several types as well, what is the one you like?

Censored · 10-31-2007, 08:16 AM

Yoga is great, also investigate Bikram Yoga, it's Yga in a 40 degree celcius room.

So much harder than what it looks.

shes2smart · 10-31-2007, 08:34 AM

I've found yoga actually enhances and assists with my other workouts (cardio & weights).

I take 2 Hatha yoga classes a week. It's very slow, head-spacey, meditative yoga. You're not going to burn a lot of calories during a Hatha class, but that's not it's purpose, really. There's an equal focus on mind and body and bringing the two together.

I used to take Iyengar yoga, which is also slow & precise about getting into the poses. Iyengar uses a lot of props (chairs, bolsters, blocks, straps) to help you get into and hold poses, and, honestly, I just got tired of having to take out and put away a dozen items every class after about 6 months.

You can also find yoga classes that are more about the physical portions of yoga and not the head-space portions, too. I took a couple of those and didn't particularly care for them. When those classes were over, to me, it felt like just another exercise class.

When I'm done with a Hatha class, I feel relaxed and focused....like it cleared out my head along with stretching out my body.

Either type of yoga, done regularly, will result in increased flexibility. What you choose will depend on what other benefits you're looking for.

buckdawg · 10-31-2007, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niceguyloses

Yoga is great, also investigate Bikram Yoga, it's Yga in a 40 degree celcius room.

So much harder than what it looks.

= 104° F for us Yankees

i've been thinking about Yoga too. great thread and great suggestions!!

surfjon · 10-31-2007, 08:58 AM

I've practiced Sivananda yoga for about 6 years now, I've taught for about 3 of those years. I've taken a bit of time off since my wife left, but need to go back to it I felt I wasn't able to give the students peace in the state of mind I've been in.

Yoga is mind and body, I would strongly suggest going and give it time. Remember, it's not a competition, it's for you. It's about quieting the mind and strenghtening the core. Also begin to meditate, it's very hard to quiet the modern mind, it took me months before I could simply go "blank", but it's an incredible feeling when you can.

I never enjoyed the bikram thing, I don't get it. The heat isn't necessary.
A 90 minute yoga class is strenuous enough, you'll sweat enough without the hot bit.

good luck!!

good luck!!

WaterIsLife · 10-31-2007, 10:14 AM

Thanks!

I am definitely interested in it for the mind-body connection and not for any exercise aspect. I've recently learned how important it is for me to actively maintain a balance in my life and I thought yoga could be a perfect avenue for this!

I would love to hear more opinions/personal experiences on this topic!

Thanks!

RayKay · 10-31-2007, 10:28 AM

I have been practicing yoga for about 6 or 7 years now; my late boyfriend had started taking classes, and I tried it out a few times - when he passed away I really found it really helped me deal with the stress and grief.

It also has helped tremendously in my athletic ability in other areas by keeping the muscles loose, toned and flexible - I crash many, many times for example on the bike but rarely am injured as I am flexible, and even running I have never had a running injury.

Anyway, it is an important part of not only my physical routine for muscle recovery, but my mental balance! I don't get into some of the more....what I see as loopy aspects...I see sometimes...but I really do enjoy the meditative aspects.

In North Dakota there is a group called yoga slackers (I found them as I did an adventure race this fall and they contacted me about doing the race they were putting on as well) whom are yogi's who are into adventure racing, ultrarunning and the like. That pretty much fits me....I like the total shift from one extreme (relaxation of yoga whether it is more "physical" or more "meditative") to the adventure/exercise/outdoors junkie - I move comfortably along that spectrum!

I do mostly ashtanga or power yoga. Some hatha if I am doing "total recovery" but I really love the flow of power yoga with the vinyasa's; it helps me "release" tension. I have tried Bikram (hot yoga) and it was interesting - I would do it again now and then - but classes are pricey I find and I prefer the flow of the power yoga still over going from one pose to another. Iyengar yoga was NOT for me, but some people love the "precision" of it too....it's all very personal so I recommend trying out different varieties, and instructors (some are irritating, some just fit you right!)

I no longer take classes (mostly money and time issues) but I have loads of DVD's and CD's I pop in when I want a break from my own "routine" (most of time I just do my own thing) - plus I get world class instructors without the expense of a travel or a class (and can do their class whenever I want

). However, I really, really advise going to classes for a long time first to make sure you are doing things properly - people DO hurt themselves in yoga, and quite badly! I know a girl whom blew her knee out....

ghost69 · 11-01-2007, 04:07 PM

my mom takes yoga. she used to have extreme back pain sometimes. now she has very minimal back pain. she does a lot more physical things now and is very active. it's funny, she says big guys like me come into her class thinkin it's a piece of cake. they either leave early or never come back again. lol. i've seen some of the moves. no fricken way am i going in there and embarrassing myself. lol

10-31-2007, 08:10 AM	#1
WaterIsLife Offline Platinum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sunny Florida Gender: Male Age: 36 Posts: 1,260	Yoga classes? I'm considering taking yoga classes. While lately a feel that I have a good work/life balance, particularly given some of the things I've discovered about myself and have discussed in different threads, I'm thinking that it might be a good idea to engage in an activity like yoga. Otherwise I have been getting ample exercise: lifting weights at the gym, running (decided to do a 15K soon to keep me on track), and I get out with my bike 1-2 times a week. So what do you think about yoga? Has it been helpful to you? I know there are several types as well, what is the one you like? __________________ "...because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns-the ones we don't know we don't know." ~ former USA Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

10-31-2007, 08:34 AM	#3
shes2smart Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: same world, different server Gender: Female Age: 45 Posts: 5,142	I've found yoga actually enhances and assists with my other workouts (cardio & weights). I take 2 Hatha yoga classes a week. It's very slow, head-spacey, meditative yoga. You're not going to burn a lot of calories during a Hatha class, but that's not it's purpose, really. There's an equal focus on mind and body and bringing the two together. I used to take Iyengar yoga, which is also slow & precise about getting into the poses. Iyengar uses a lot of props (chairs, bolsters, blocks, straps) to help you get into and hold poses, and, honestly, I just got tired of having to take out and put away a dozen items every class after about 6 months. You can also find yoga classes that are more about the physical portions of yoga and not the head-space portions, too. I took a couple of those and didn't particularly care for them. When those classes were over, to me, it felt like just another exercise class. When I'm done with a Hatha class, I feel relaxed and focused....like it cleared out my head along with stretching out my body. Either type of yoga, done regularly, will result in increased flexibility. What you choose will depend on what other benefits you're looking for. __________________ "But there's no use crying over every mistake You just keep on trying til you run out of cake"

10-31-2007, 08:58 AM	#5
surfjon Offline Gold Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Palm Beach County, Fla. Gender: Male Posts: 560	I've practiced Sivananda yoga for about 6 years now, I've taught for about 3 of those years. I've taken a bit of time off since my wife left, but need to go back to it I felt I wasn't able to give the students peace in the state of mind I've been in. Yoga is mind and body, I would strongly suggest going and give it time. Remember, it's not a competition, it's for you. It's about quieting the mind and strenghtening the core. Also begin to meditate, it's very hard to quiet the modern mind, it took me months before I could simply go "blank", but it's an incredible feeling when you can. I never enjoyed the bikram thing, I don't get it. The heat isn't necessary. A 90 minute yoga class is strenuous enough, you'll sweat enough without the hot bit. good luck!! good luck!! __________________ Shut up and play............. check out my music and let me know what you think!! www.myspace.com/jontgilbert

10-31-2007, 10:14 AM	#6
WaterIsLife Offline Platinum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sunny Florida Gender: Male Age: 36 Posts: 1,260	Thanks! I am definitely interested in it for the mind-body connection and not for any exercise aspect. I've recently learned how important it is for me to actively maintain a balance in my life and I thought yoga could be a perfect avenue for this! I would love to hear more opinions/personal experiences on this topic! Thanks! __________________ "...because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns-the ones we don't know we don't know." ~ former USA Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

10-31-2007, 10:28 AM	#7
RayKay Offline Platinum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Middle of Canada Gender: Female Age: 30 Posts: 13,270	I have been practicing yoga for about 6 or 7 years now; my late boyfriend had started taking classes, and I tried it out a few times - when he passed away I really found it really helped me deal with the stress and grief. It also has helped tremendously in my athletic ability in other areas by keeping the muscles loose, toned and flexible - I crash many, many times for example on the bike but rarely am injured as I am flexible, and even running I have never had a running injury. Anyway, it is an important part of not only my physical routine for muscle recovery, but my mental balance! I don't get into some of the more....what I see as loopy aspects...I see sometimes...but I really do enjoy the meditative aspects. In North Dakota there is a group called yoga slackers (I found them as I did an adventure race this fall and they contacted me about doing the race they were putting on as well) whom are yogi's who are into adventure racing, ultrarunning and the like. That pretty much fits me....I like the total shift from one extreme (relaxation of yoga whether it is more "physical" or more "meditative") to the adventure/exercise/outdoors junkie - I move comfortably along that spectrum! I do mostly ashtanga or power yoga. Some hatha if I am doing "total recovery" but I really love the flow of power yoga with the vinyasa's; it helps me "release" tension. I have tried Bikram (hot yoga) and it was interesting - I would do it again now and then - but classes are pricey I find and I prefer the flow of the power yoga still over going from one pose to another. Iyengar yoga was NOT for me, but some people love the "precision" of it too....it's all very personal so I recommend trying out different varieties, and instructors (some are irritating, some just fit you right!) I no longer take classes (mostly money and time issues) but I have loads of DVD's and CD's I pop in when I want a break from my own "routine" (most of time I just do my own thing) - plus I get world class instructors without the expense of a travel or a class (and can do their class whenever I want ). However, I really, really advise going to classes for a long time first to make sure you are doing things properly - people DO hurt themselves in yoga, and quite badly! I know a girl whom blew her knee out.... __________________ [FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=darkolivegreen][B]<--- [COLOR=sienna]Carbun the Super-Bunny[/COLOR][/B][/COLOR][/FONT] [B][FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=#556b2f][/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=darkolivegreen][B]At the end of the day, how you imprinted on someones life and heart is the only true mark any of us leave on this earth and is what we are most proud of... [/B][/COLOR][/FONT][I][SIZE=1]- My Biggest Hero and Mentor: My Mum.[/SIZE][/I] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=orange][B]Il faut d'abord durer [/B][/COLOR][/FONT][I][SIZE=1]- Ernest Hemingway[/SIZE][/I] Last edited by RayKay; 10-31-2007 at 10:33 AM.

10-31-2007, 08:16 AM	#2
Censored Offline Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Floating in a dirty puddle called bliss. Gender: Male Age: 34 Posts: 1,326	Yoga is great, also investigate Bikram Yoga, it's Yga in a 40 degree celcius room. So much harder than what it looks.

11-01-2007, 04:07 PM	#8
ghost69 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Desert Gender: Male Posts: 33,444	my mom takes yoga. she used to have extreme back pain sometimes. now she has very minimal back pain. she does a lot more physical things now and is very active. it's funny, she says big guys like me come into her class thinkin it's a piece of cake. they either leave early or never come back again. lol. i've seen some of the moves. no fricken way am i going in there and embarrassing myself. lol __________________ Not only am I friendly, but I'm invisible too. Too perfect of a relationship is too weird-g69 If you say you are normal, I'd think you are weird-g69 The world can only get better, it depends on how you look at it-g69 'As wicked as you are, you're beautiful to me'-5fingerdeathpunch you cannot control the world, you can only live in it the best you can for you-g69 NooOoOoooOOoOoOoooooo