Yoga? Does anybody?

[Talkinpeace]

I posted on th eexercise board but they all seem to be into high impact.
Do any of you ladies do yoga?

[jammiedonut]

I do, but bikram yoga. Fantastic for stretching, toning and relaxation. I'm using it to strengthen my body post baby, lose some weight and hopefully enable me to get back into the more high impact stuff when my knees can take it (carrying an extra three stone has all but destroyed them). You don't have to buy into the spiritual stuff, but the advice n breathing and meditating has certainly crossed over into other aspects of my life. I used to do Pilates, but fancied a change.

[Talkinpeace]

Phew, I'm not alone!

I do yoga three times a week (for the last 13 years)
twice a week of vini flow once a week of airy fairy
and yes, the mindfulness stuff has been the bit that took the longest to 'get' but has made the most difference.

[FaddyPeony]

I do but I do but only once a week which isn't really enough I understand. I do a heated yoga class and love how physical it is.

[foxysocks]

Me. Ashtanga. Am about seven years in, loving it.

[IDugUpADiamond]

I love the physical side of yoga (go once a week) but find the relaxation, breathing and mind parts really hard to bear. I really love the difficult postures that get me hot all over, as if I had been working out; I should say that I hate physical exercise, specially cardio. However, after the initial hour of yoga positions, the relaxing bit starts for 30 minutes, and I often feel like walking out of the class because I can never stop my mind from wondering when we're supposed to relax. I feel impatient and fidgety even though I am not an active person at all. I feel like a weirdo. The yoga positions relax me, the relaxing makes me uneasy.

[Nusatenggara]

I've been doing it for almost 20 years. Started with Hatha and now doing Ashtanga, did do a bikram retreat but it was a few years ago when I was a lot fitter and practiced more often.

I do practice at home, sometimes on my own or other times with a DVD - can't beat a bit of Rodney Yee in your sitting room!

I absolutely love it and love the spiritual side of the practice too. Am off to the Far East soon and intend to immerse myself in the whole kit and kaboodle there too .

[Talkinpeace]

Idugupadiamond
ahhhh, that is where the teacher is not being clear.
It should not be called 'relaxing' as that is a Western Concept
it should be called pranayama and meditation
at which point its great fun

if I get too much of a "lie back and relax" I start doing breath control exercises and the time flies by : and they are an ab workout ....

basic one is
breathe in for three, hold for three, out for three, hold for four
repeat three times
then all to a count of four and repetition of four
then five
then six
at seven you do in seven, hold 4, out seven, hold 4
ditto at 8
at 9 you do in nine, hold 5, out 9, hold five
and then 10 - 5 - 10 - 5
and then all the way back down again to three

it should take about 15-20 minutes and will leave your brain utterly clear (you cannot do all that counting and make a shopping list at the same time) and your abs will be screaming

the short version goes up the breath length without the repetitions

[IDugUpADiamond]

Thanks Talkingpeace. I should say the teacher is really good, I feel it's me, I'm too impatient to breath!! I feel I lack the strength of mind to put myself in that position and this reflects in other areas of my life, such as struggling to lose weight and so on.

[Nusatenggara]

It does take a lot of practice to completely tune into to the ujjayi breathing but once you do it is fantastic.

[bigTillyMint]

Oooh, perhaps one of you can tell me what kind of yoga I might enjoy!

I ante and post-natal yoga which was very active - our lovely teacher had us doing headstands and upside down on the ropes, etc. I remember downward dog and sun salutes....

But since then I have only found ones which either involve lots of lying down breathing or chanting. I would like something more active!

[Talkinpeace]

bigtillymint
Ask your antenatal teacher would be my first bet - they will probably teach elsewhere.
Also, see which group they are a member of
this is one of the biggest www.bwy.org.uk/find-a-teacher-class/
but yes, it can take a while - I'm lucky my gym has some wonderful teachers

[OneLittleLady]

Only if you count the yoga on the wii fit!

have a book kicking around somewhere that I've had for years which shows beginner/intermediate type stuff, I'm overweight but surprisingly flexible, about the only things I can't do at the place I am in the book is the shoulder/head stands because I have a medical issue that means I can't put weight on one of my shoulders

[Nusatenggara]

Ashtanga is pretty active, it has flow sequences that you go through. I get hot and happy doing it and feel very hungry afterwards!

[bigTillyMint]

Talkin, she doesn't work there any more - the place we went to is now flats and I don't remember her name

Maybe Ashtanga then? TBH, I think she might have used a mixture of stuff...

[Woodenpeg]

For me personally, it's the only form of exercise where I am learning. It continually teaches me... I do vinyasa flow, mostly.

[Talkinpeace]

BigTillyMint : Yoga classes are popping up all over - do a bit of googling and then go and visit a variety till you find one that suits

I love my vinyasa flows too
I think I'd get bored of doing the same Ashtanga routine each week
I do BodyBalance at the gym too - which has elements of yoga.

[MrsPennyapple]

I did it for a couple of years, stopped about three years ago and had two DC. I started up again last week, at a different class. (Hatha, I think.)

I struggle with getting into the right frame of mind. I find the postures difficult as I'm so inflexible, and get really frustrated with myself for not being able to do it. I am really going to work on this, this time round.

My main reason for taking up yoga was to increase my flexibility, but I am interested in the meditation and more spiritual aspects too.

[Woodenpeg]

I do love a bit of BB, love the Tai Chi elements and doing it to music is nice.

Our flow is never the same, our teacher has a different focus every week. It's always very challenging and stimulating!

I LOVE YOGA, I DO.

[Woodenpeg]

mrs Penny try not to get frustrated, it's such a wonderful learning experience. You will improve, each week, as you get stronger and more confident.

That is my main reason I love it still, after all these years! It teaches me something new everytime.

[bigTillyMint]

My gym does Hatha yoga and freestyle yoga. Any ideas what they would involve?

[Talkinpeace]

bigtillymint
hatha just means moving - its a bit of a catch all and comes down to the teacher. Freestyle ditto.
Go along and see what you think - and every teacher is slightly different !

[HaPPy8]

I wish i loved Yoga. But i hate it. Tempted by jillian micheals yoga meltdown as I expect she spices it up a bit!

[MrsPennyapple]

Thanks Woodenpeg - I know how counter-productive it is, I'm really working on accepting my ability for what it is now. I wish I could go more than once a week but with a toddler and a newborn it's not possible just now.

[Bexicles]

I do Iyengar and Hatha classes. I also try to practice at home as often as I can. I love it, it keeps me happy and sane!

[Nusatenggara]

Yes doing the Ashtanga routines could be a bit boring after a while, think that's why I do stuff at home as well that is different.

Is Vinyasa flow very different?