Pilates, Tai Chi or Yoga - which is least shit?

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OK, Dr says that for health reasons I should take up pilates, tai chi ("the kung fu type" according to the Dr, though I can't find anything about this) or yoga. It's for a long term incurable condition. I don't need to lose weight etc - that's not what it's about!

The trouble is - I hate sports. I lead an active lifestyle (dog walking, cycling for transport etc) but I've never managed to get into exercise for the sake of exercise. The idea of running in circles around a track seems worse than pointless. I've quite literally never seen the inside of a gym. My antipathy towards sports largely stems from school, where I was always always always last (in races, in being picked for teams... In absolutely everything, no matter how hard I tried). It was quite demoralising, being made a tit of twice a week, never finding any form of success and routinely feeling humiliated. It has never quite left me (please don't tell me to get over it - that's not the point of the thread)

I'm picturing any of the options involving me trying to balance on one leg, falling over and having the rest of the class start sniggering, or just generally being the worst in the class forevermore.

I'm an adrenaline junkie, so rollercoasters and skiing are rather more appealing than more sedate things...

I'm also skinter than skint, and probably will be for at least the next year, so that's a consideration too. I can muster a pair of primark leggings and old trainers, but expensive kit or lessons isn't realistically doable.

Please help me out - what's going to be the least shit of yoga, tai chi or pilates, for someone deeply unsporty and deeply skint?

You might like to look at this old thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/yoga/3464159-dedicate-30-days-of-yoga-with-adriene

I need to do something similar too - but have weight to lose too! I have noticed that Yoga with Adriene has been mentioned on a few previous threads on Mumsnet - it is supposed to be free (but I can't guarantee as haven't yet tried it).

I do body balance which is a mixture of all 3 and I love it. I hate sports!

I was going to say body balance too. I love it. I've never been a fan of yoga, I like Pilates but one of the instructors in my gym is brutal and spends 45 mins on abdominals. Body balance is a perfect compromise.

Any class like that depends partly on how you click with the teacher. When it comes to yoga, there are several different styles, and some are more... esoteric than others. So if you don't get on with one teacher or style, it's worth trying another before writing it off entirely.

Is there a specific reason why you GP has suggested these activities, rather than say, swimming or jogging? Do you need to work on balance, or strength more than aerobic fitness? Or stress management?

It probably depends on the instructor. Of those, I've only done Pilates (mat not 'reformer' machines) - I've got a lovely instructor, the class is fun (there may be moments where everyone looks ridiculous and there may be laughter but never at anyone). Old leggings would be fine, and it's socks or barefoot (think same would apply for yoga).

You'd want to find a beginners course, they start with really simple (though sometimes quite intense) movements and a good instructor will check if you have joint problems etc, and adapt exercises if appropriate. It's not in any way competitive.

I'm off to have a hunt for body balance classes and see if they exist locally

Is there a specific reason why you GP has suggested these activities, rather than say, swimming or jogging? Do you need to work on balance, or strength more than aerobic fitness? Or stress management?

It was my consultant, and it's for a connective tissue disorder. Tbh I didn't question her on why not swimming or jogging specifically (though I can't swim and think twice before running for the bus so...) but apparently cycling and dog walking don't cut the mustard.

I find Tai Chi requires the most coordination. Well, pilates does too, but it's harder to see if you're doing it wrong because it's the core engagement and breathing that's hardest.

If it helps, I've done and taught all sorts of fitness classes, and I've never seen any sniggering. Ever. Usually people are so focussed on themselves and the instructor that they don't even notice the other people in the class. Exercise is a very self-centred activity in some ways.

And then, sometimes friendships form and people become really supportive.

I was like you about sports. I love doing Pilates. It is core and breathing mainly. You challenge yourself and everyone is so busy concentrating they won't be watching you. I especially enjoy the reformer. I highly recommend it. Good for stress busting too.

I hate anything healthy exercise, particularly impact stuff as it sets off an old knee injury. Yoga, though, I really enjoy and find it makes a big difference to my head as well as my general fitness. I'd recommend trying it

OP if you look up Jessica Smith on YouTube, she has yoga, stretching, fusion workouts with a bit of everything. No need to spend money. I have done Pilates classes, but from what you’re saying it’s more about getting some dynamic stretching?

I also really like Body Balance classes btw.

PS I tend to pick this one when I’m wide awake at 2am!!

m.youtube.com/watch?v=MYEG8zwFc7Q

Yoga.

Tai chi and Pilates are for the very old. Unless you can do Reformer Pilates which is fab but hugely expensive.

Yoga is the bollocks. Once you’ve been a few times you can buy a mat and do it at home. I do a ‘Adriene’ class most days - online and free!

I did Pilates mat classes in my 20s

Pilates is for the very old? That’s not true at all. My 20-something sister is very fit, she runs most days, lifts weights, teaches aerobics and LOVES Pilates. She likes a class that works her so hard it hurts to laugh or sneeze the next day!

I’ve done a lot of yoga and Pilates over the years and as other people have said it’s all down to the instructor. You can get one that challenges you, checks and corrects your form, who makes every class varied and interesting or you can get someone who wafts about in a nice outfit, checking themselves out in the mirror and repeats the same moves in the same order every week. The best thing to do is to try a variety of classes with a variety of instructors but depending on where you live that can be easier said than done.

And a word of warning about Body Balance. It’s a great idea in principle to take the best of several disciplines but the classes are prechoreographed. The instructors pay to train in and access the classes and music and are not supposed to deviate from the preset moves which are changed every three months or so. It means they can get a little monotonous doing the same moves to the same music for 13 weeks at a time, although some people like that. It also means there isn’t much scope for an instructor to modify moves to match the ability and mobility of class participants. They are also unlikely to have the same depth of training and experience as a dedicated and qualified yoga or Pilates instructor (although TBF some might also be qualified in these areas).

I would be looking for a small class with a specialist instructor who would take your medical condition into account, eg a small pilates class run by a physiotherapist rather than a large class at a local sports centre. I'm not sporty either but do enjoy yoga and pilates.

I was coming back to point out that some Pilates teachers are also physios, probably worth you looking for. As to age - the classes I've been to have been predominantly women >40 but the current one has a sporty looking young man.

Definitely look at Yoga with Adrienne, it's amazing. She also has a lovely dog who sits and watches unlike my unruly mutts who seem to feel obliged to stand on my head if I lie on the floor.
You don't need any gear, just watch it on your tablet or TV.

Nobody would snigger in any yoga class I’ve been to - everyone is too busy trying to get the balance themselves. We may laugh at ourselves if we get confused with our lefts and rights and end up facing the wrong way but nobody would be poking fun. And honestly, quite likely nobody would even notice as you focus on yourself.

Yoga with Adriene is free, she offers some extra content for paid subscribers but there are hundreds of free videos on her channel and she never pushes the paid content on her videos. Every January she does a 30 day programme of all new content, free, released each day so you can practice through, and she does monthly calendars of videos, some new and some repeats (again all free) so you can practice through if you don’t want to pick your own out.

She’s honestly really good.

I do Pilates and yoga. They do vary from class to class, I’ve not gone to yoga this morning as it’s a substitute teacher who talks inane drivel throughout the class. Yoga is more spiritual and has relaxation/ meditation at the end. Pilates is repetitive exercises done slowly. I like both. I go to a regular day classes and the other people tend to be older. But it’s a really nice friendly supportive group, no one cares what you can or can’t do.

I'll have to have a look at Adrienne tonight. I predict that the lodger will snigger and the dog will get confused and start humping my leg.

What could possibly be more fun 😂

I like tai chi and it's seated form qi-gong.

I do have some balance and pain problems though, so wouldn't cope with other forms of exercise.

If you are already fit they won't stretch you at all physically, I like the relaxation part and the fact it stills my mind.

I tried Tai ch’i and it was so unbelievably fucking boring I was counting the seconds for the class to end. I quite like yoga and Pilates but not enough to do them regularly.

If you are already fit they won't stretch you at all physically

I think if you had seen the effort the very fit bloke went to on the yoga mat next to mine this evening, you wouldn't say that. If you've got a good yoga teacher, they'll be able to give different variations of a particular posture, according to fitness levels, injuries and so on.

Tai Chi is not just for the very old - cheek of it! As for not stretching you physically clearly someone’s never tried it seriously. Just because you don’t come out of the class bright red in the face, doesn’t mean you haven’t been working muscles, joints and brain really hard.

I’m like you OP - hated sport but always wanted to try Tai Chi as it looked so graceful. Went to class when on maternity leave with DD and was instantly hooked. 19 years later and I have been teaching Tai Chi for about 12 years.

Have tried both yoga and Pilates for long enough to get a feel for them (at least a year) and for me one of the important things in Tai Chi is its done on one level - you either stand or sit for the whole class - no getting down on the floor and then up again. I find it’s a better bet for improving and maintaining leg strength and general co-ordination. You don’t need any special kit.

Not sure what your doctor means about the ‘Kung fu’ type of Tai Chi; Tai Chi can look a bit like Kung fu in slow motion I suppose. Check out Tai Chi finder website for local instructors. In our area the sports centre are very reluctant to run classes so instructors are using church halls and similar. One thing I would say is to go for a proper Tai Chi class run by a trained instructor, who will be able to advise you according to your physical needs. Have tried Body Balance and it’s neither fish nor fowl and wasn’t good. Also ends to be cheaper than Body Balance as we’re not paying the licence!
Whatever you try (and please try something), give a a decent try, don’t stop after the first class.

Just bought a dvd about paracise, sort of gentle stretching exercises. To music. Classes were advertised locally and seemed a mix of ages. Been unable to do it yet as got cancellation for my op so very limited in what I can do for next 6 weeks.