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Yoga

Has yoga changed your life?

31 replies

C1239 · 02/05/2020 19:30

I’ve heard from quite a few people and read online that yoga has changed their life - has this happened for you and if so in what way?

OP posts:
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Transformyoga · 03/05/2020 19:22

Yoga has 100% changed my life. I fell into it because I was too ill to do conventional exercise. Overtime I started to notice subtle changes in my body/mindset. In 2006, the benefits of yoga weren’t as widely known as now and it was only when I stumbled across a yoga philosophy book I realised these changes were down to yoga. I was calmer, More relaxed, my immune system healthier, lighter (body and mind), better mental focus...I could go on. It had such a profound effect on me I retrained as a yoga teacher. If you’re looking for a particular transformation then research the different yoga styles. Every style has a different focus so not every class will give you the transformation you’re looking for.

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Connie5858 · 03/05/2020 22:32

Do you mind saying what the yoga philosophy book was.
Thanks.

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KellyHall · 03/05/2020 22:58

Yes. I heard it was good for those with back issues and asthma, I had suffered with both all through my teens. I started yoga in my early 20s (Yoga for Beginners for Dummies dvd) and I still mostly do dvds at home but I do at least a bit of yoga every day. It makes me feel like my body is put together properly, I'm flexible and comfortable and can breathe at my own command.
The only classes I've ever been to are when I visit my mum who is 65 has been doing yoga for more than 20 years at the same class with the same teacher, who is herself in her 80s.

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ChasingRainbows19 · 04/05/2020 05:59

I have a busy job amongst lots of people. I did try yoga dvds years ago. However now I'm 3 years into regularly practicing. I really increased this last year to every day off 3/4 days a week and I can't tell you how good I feel. It doesn't feel like a chore like some exercise can when you aren't in the mood.

It calms me when stressed absolutely i do credit if for keeping me sane right now. Aches and pains are definitely better. I'm stronger and my back pain ( the reason I started) is minimal but if it flares It helps. I have stopped cardio like spinning for now as I feel I can increase my heart rate in yoga as much following a flow for example and/or more difficult poses. ( I don't do really hard ones tho) I also walk.

Also my body is still changing, I have a waist shape for example. However this is a slow process. It's not for everyone but I love it.

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Transformyoga · 04/05/2020 07:03

Hi connie5858. I think the first book I bought was “yoga, your home practice companion by sivananda yoga vedanta centre”. It covers many aspects of yoga at a basic level including philosophy, effect on muscles, nervous system, endocrine system etc. If you’re looking for something with more detail on the philosophy, “the complete illustrated book of yoga by Swami Vishnudevanada” might be a better read.

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Connie5858 · 04/05/2020 09:53

Thanks so much

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MysweetAudrina · 20/05/2020 06:56

I think it has as I have practiced every day for an hour for just over 2 years. I have an unlimited studio membership and they are now running all their classes online. I have one booked for 7.30am this morning. My body just seems to crave it and I love how calm and non reactive I have become.

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BelfastNonBlonde · 20/05/2020 07:01

It did when I needed something to after a bad break up, yes.
I’m more into the physical aspects of it than the spiritual - but it was a fantastic destressor and 90minutes physical “time out”.

I prefer classes to home practice.

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Tdaadfb100 · 04/06/2020 22:13

Yeah. I started about 9 years ago (42 years old) and I thought my teacher was mad/obsessed. I saw her change so much as a person. Kinder, calmer more compassionate.
After about 2 /3 years of dipping in and out of practice I started doing 4/5 classes a week and felt the shift mentally and emotionally. It’s not so much about being bendy.
Went to Thailand for 2 months to do my teacher training and have been teaching for 3 years.
Still can’t get my husband to do it though ... !

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RedTravellingSocks · 07/06/2020 20:47

@Tdaadfb100 would you mind saying a little more about your decision to do YTT? It is something I've been toying with and I would love to know more. I'm probably not quite ready yet (only been practising regularly for a year) but as I'm in my mid-40s I don't want to leave it too long!

Feel free to pm me if you'd rather not give details on the board.

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ApricotExpat · 07/06/2020 20:53

Very interesting.
Can anyone tell me which yoga is best for physicality / body rather than more calming / meditative types?

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Tdaadfb100 · 15/06/2020 16:10

@RedTravellingSocks
Sorry for the late reply! I left a very stressful job and had a few months free afterwards. I’d been covering for my teacher when she was away on a few occasions, so thought it best to do some training. ( Although you do not need any formal qualifications to teach, it’s still a good idea for others safety)
So, I went to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand (I’d been many times previously), rented a really cool small apartment And did my training over 9 weeks with about 9 other (young Thai!)mI was going to go to another place in KohSamui and do it in 4, but felt it was too intense physically for me, I was 45 at the time, and too many students .. about 50)
When I came back, I taught friends and neighbours (SO terrifying at first)then at a gym, then my teacher went back to Australia and I took over her classes and private students.
I usually teach between 5-12 classes a week now.

Don’t forget you can do your YTT in the UK at weekend, over many months and even online (although I would not recommend this; maybe certain elements such as anatomy and history, but not the rest)
Plus, when you study with others it’s great fun and you will make friends for life.

You will realise that every other person you meet is a yoga teacher, and the market is saturated with the Lululemon crowd, but there are a lot of people who are not comfortable being taught my bendy 25 year old dancers and gym bunnies (Nothing wrong with them at all) and appreciate a teacher more relatable to themselves. And any yoga is good if it gets people thinking, feeling and moving as far as I’m concerned.
Be careful of injuries too as it can set you back massively if you over do it. The goal, if there is one, is to be doing it well into your old age. X

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Tdaadfb100 · 15/06/2020 16:16

@ApricotExpat

General Hatha or vinyasa .. or Ashtanga (if you prefer a set sequence)
Breath is the key with yoga. The physical side prepares your body to meditate .. or just calm your mind. You feel great after any class.
It great to do something more active during daylight hours and a lovely calming restorative class in the evening. Can just be 15 minutes .. you don’t have to jump about for an hour every time.
SO much on YouTube etc. Try everything and everyone and you will find styles and teachers that you like. If you are not ‘feeling it’, try another class.
enjoy!

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RedTravellingSocks · 17/06/2020 21:32

@Tdaadfb100 thank you so much for your post. I'd love to go to Thailand and do an intensive course but I think a weekend course in the UK is probably more realistic for me Grin

I definitely worry a bit about not being a bendy 20-something gym bunny but as you say, hopefully that will just make me more relatable to non-bendy people!

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Tdaadfb100 · 18/06/2020 10:42

@RedTravellingSocks

Yes, find a training schedule that suits you. You can start teaching some friends as soon as you feel ready. Golden rule is to only teach what you know and don’t lie or make stuff up (I hear a lot of nonsense about false health claims etc)
If you are a beginner; teach beginners.
I know a young dancer who did a ‘200 hours’ Ashtanga teacher training course in Manila in 2 weeks! (It take years to be able to teach safely) Which is impossible. She taught one of my classes and gave students poses that could potentially cause them serious neck damage.
So, just share what you know and love. Don’t try to get all fancy. Students can tell when someone is bllshttung!
Also, look at teachInt some restorative classes .. I used to find it boring but love it more than ever now! Find the things you love and teach that .. leave the rest to others. It will change over the years too. I used to be always jumping about, but as I’ve got older (with more injuries) have calmed down a bit! 🤣

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Vavavoovoom · 14/08/2020 23:22

Yoga has been part of my life, I started at Uni, it was everywhere (Brighton) and usually did 1-2 classes in my 20s. It was kind of an essential and I don't think I appreciated all the benefits but there were many! I moved into doing Bikram and am not such a fan of this now, as I did something to my back. My favourite style is Hatha as its all round, less focus on the shoulders. I also love restorative.

I stopped for a while and became noticeably stiffer. Then kind of realised I'd invested so many hours in it, it is after all a practise, and it was a shame to give it up. Hard to get to classes for a while but just realised it is everywhere online now! If you want to know how yoga can change your life, do it for 7 days in a row (gently!) (not Bikram) and you will feel the benefits!

Calmer, more focus, concentration, ease of movement etc.

I'm undecided between yoga teacher training and pilates teacher training. My heart says yoga...we will see. I think you have to do cardio and strength/weight bearing in your routine. Maybe I will teach a blend of the three.

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Grapefruityogi · 14/08/2020 23:51

I began when I was in my teens and it has been transformational for me. It calms me and, when I practice regularly, makes me feel really good and strong physically (if I do classes for about a month straight I feel like a noodle as I become quite flexible)

Since becoming an adult, it has become more of a spiritual practice too. I am currently completing my teacher training in the UK, and learning so much about what it can provide for you on a spiritual level (I am interested in our energies, all the chakras and meditation etc.)
However, I come from a very practical, Christian family who think that this is all nonsense, hippy dippy and even blasphemous (like a news article stating that saying Namaste is satanic...) so my spiritual learning is proving to be a challenge because of this opposition / influence. Yet It is proving transformational and I hope to continue on this journey with other like minded people (books, youtube and instagram help) :)

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ZaraW · 18/08/2020 12:08

Why do people associate yoga with religion? Other people's opinions don't matter.

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cluelesscher · 19/08/2020 22:39

Yes! Without a doubt it has changed my mindset and in turn my life. I practice 2 - 3 times a week and the benefits are amazing - my mind is clearer, I feel energised but my sleep patterns are much improved, I have much more focus and don't feel I've I get "in a flap" so much. It's honestly one of the best things, if I can't practice one week I really miss it! I'd love to do YTT but would love to teach kids classes too!

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cluelesscher · 19/08/2020 22:43

@ZaraW it stems from Hinduism I believe (someone please correct me if I am wrong) so there is historically a religious link although it is not a religious practice

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Separatedat41 · 22/08/2020 00:38

Yes but it takes discipline and I often reach for the cake & wine instead of my yoga mat ShockWink

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Gottheteeshirtandlostit · 22/08/2020 00:51

Yes, in small ways. I got into going to classes a couple of years ago - just basic hatha, and vinyasa flow. I am fat, unfit and unbendy, but I love the way I see progress. I think I am 'rubbish' compared to others in the classes, but when I don't go for a while I start to feel stiff and less agile, so I know that it is doing me good. Since lockdown I've just been doing 15 minutes every day before I start work. It clears my mind, focuses me, and definitely helps with flexibility.

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PilatesPeach · 23/08/2020 19:15

Yes, been doing it for over 20 years and qualified as a yoga teacher recently.

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Eddiewasmyfavouritecharacter · 29/08/2020 23:54

@Separatedat41 GrinGrin I get you! I know! It does take discipline. I love my yoga practice but I still can’t do poses even after quantifying as a yoga teacher. I get better at the same poses & continue to avoid the same poses too GrinGrin

CakeWine

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LaVitaPuoEsserePiuBella · 27/11/2020 08:56

I agree with the PP about my body "craving" it. I usually go to classes but in lockdown I have been using YouTube sessions. I particularly love vinyasa flow-style yoga - I find holding poses for ages a bit tedious, and I love the feeling I have afterwards of having sweated and stretched out my whole body. I sleep really well and my mind is clearer. I'm also keeping off the middle age spread - regular practice seems to allow me to keep my waist..

I'm not remotely into the ommmm aspect of yoga, or what some claim to be a "spirituality". I don't think that it instantly makes you a more interesting person just because you do yoga, any more than if you find any other physical activity or part-time that absorbs you and that gives you great pleasure... neither do I give a toss about which brand of leggings I wear (£12 from Decathlon = perfect).

I look forward to my daily hour ATM - I tell the DCs not to disturb me unless there's a genuine emergency..

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