Has Yoga changed your life?

[walkersareback]

First world issue.

I hear so many people saying that yoga has changed their lives and it keeps them sane. I have tried it a few times but even though I've enjoyed it I don't get anything spiritual from it.

Am I looking in the wrong place? Also - I do find yoga hard - least flexible person in the world here. I seem to get the calming meditative thing from running. Is yoga just not for me - even though I would love it to be? And I would love to be more flexible. And breathe better. And be better.

Sorry for the ramble but my question is what does yoga do for you?

Thanks you

I have decided to get back into yoga because I used to do yoga around 4-5 times per week and I noticed a big difference. I held my posture different, walked different, I used to have a really bad back and hip pain which improved dramatically!
I felt calmer. It really did make a massive difference.
But then I stopped doing it. I wish I'd kept it up. But I'm starting again from this weekend.
I love Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube. She has every video you could possibly imagine for yoga 🧘‍♀️

Also I wasn't flexible in the slightest to begin with - but I did start to become more flexible over time. So don't let that put you off.

Yep, love it. I do 3/4 classes a week. It keeps me flexible and strong and it helps with balance and posture. My arms and legs are very toned.

I love it.

I had done yoga classes in the past & done Pilates at home and, after years of neither, I tried to get into yoga at home with DVDs with little success.

Over lockdown I started doing yoga with Adrienne videos on YouTube, I did her vids for around a year then, after seeing her recommended on MN, I switched to Yoga with Kassandra. My strength improved dramatically within a couple of weeks and I was soon holding poses longer, better & doing moves I had struggled to do when listening to Adrienne waffle on.

I do it 3 x a week, sometimes it might just be a 15 mins one, but I’m always left feeling uplifted and lighter & my abs -along with my limbs-are now more toned than they’ve ever been in my life, even when I was a decade younger and used to run 4x a week!

I started 3 years ago by doing the 30 day online programme, then going to classes, then I have even been on a few yoga retreats. One in Portugal which was really life changing for me.

The online classes are great and I still use them as a mix of in person and online but sometimes the setting does matter. When you are in a live class in a calming environment, with the energy of the room and with a teacher who guides you into the shavasana you can really get into spiritual side.

Mostly for me it's a mindset. It doesn't matter how good you are or how flexible. It doesn't matter if you mess up the breathing or don't hold the pose in the exact manner. Just the act of trying is doing. Just taking 10 minutes or two hours out of your day to feel what is happening in your own body to slow down the nervous system is hugely beneficial.

I would say even if it's hard and you find it boring the breathing and centring part is the important bit. When we slow and control our breathing we allow ourselves to notice things that our body does automatically. Sometimes for example I really feel my heart beat or a draft that's hitting the smallest part of my body. But don't forget it's a practice which means it takes practice to start to feel.

Little and often is best for some people whereas some like full 1:15 classes a few days a week. I think it's easier to start with little and often. Also I have found that gyms are not necessarily the best place to practice. There are lots of fitness places that say they practice yoga but really they are only doing asanas (the poses) which is hugely beneficial for fitness but isn't really what yoga is. If you are interested in exploring the mindfulness benefits find an instructor that has that as their core philosophy.

It all depends what you want out of it. For me I'm there for my mind and soul, the fitness aspect is just a welcomed bonus!!
But I'm not opposed to doing the occasional show off handstand or splits as my party trick especially when it embarrasses my teenager

@BlueCookieMonster

I’ll be honest, my dyslexic self read the title of ‘Has Yoda changed your life?’

Obviously I needed to find out, Yoda hasn’t personally changed mine, but occasionally I dish out some of his worldly wisdom.

‘Do or do not, there is no try.’

Wonder if Yoda does Yoga and if it changed his life.

I’m a bit disappointed that Yoda hasn’t changed anyones life tbh.

Blue cookie monster – I am not laughing at you I Just love your outlook

I find it boring and painful but if I don’t do it my shoulder freezes up

Yes it's changed my life and I love it so much I'm training to be a yoga teacher.

I’ve been doing vinyasa yoga for three years now and love it. It’s made me more toned than running and weights have ever done. I quite like the meditation and a bit of chanting.
I’d love to go in a yoga retreat somewhere hot and sunny.

No it hasn't changed my life but I do feel more relaxed and clear after a session. It's also good exercise. I think if you commit to doing it daily it could have a profound effect on your mood but once or twice a week is just like any other exercise class.

The best class I went to was at least 1.5 hours to 2 hours long. It was an older lady who took her time to explain things very clearly. We always had relaxation at the end with a CD which had a very calming voice and beautiful music. I remember the first times I went she tied my legs together for the relaxation and I was worried and it was uncomfortable. Soon it became very comfortable as my body got more flexible and being tied helped me get into the stretch and alaign my body correctly. Sadly the class folded, I can't remember exactly why. I've tried various other teachers but nothing has ever been quite as good. I need to get back into it again.

I'd say it has changed my life in that's it's part of my (almost) daily routine and if I can't do it I miss it. I started about 6 years ago - having tried it before then without success - and I love it. You probably couldn't tell much difference to look at me but I am stronger and more toned, I can hold poses now from extended periods of time that I couldn't hold for a few seconds when I started and I have learned how and when to adapt the poses that cause me pain. For me it's not so much the spiritual side but accepting my body and giving me some time in this mad world to sit/lie and stretch without having to think about anything or anyone else. And, yes that might sound selfish but someitmes you need that space to think things through.

I meant to say, I'm almost 48 and can't keep up with the old cardio classes I used to do so if I want a bit more I choose a longer class or choose one that adds handweights. My favourites are:
Yoga with Adriene
Five Parks Yoga
Boho Beautiful - look passed the super skinny Julianna, her instructions are good.
And I 've just started doing some Yoga with Kassandra.

Tried it a few times but can never be arsed. Pilates is better. Running even better than that.

Yoga and Pilates have changed how I feel. I do more Pilates than yoga. But my core has strengthened up and I have less back and back pain because of it. It’s taken time though.

It is really good for strength and flexibility and I feel better when I do it consistently. The one thing I love about it is that everyone is naturally good at some bits and bad at others.

Thank you for all of your replies. I think I will investigate Yoga with Kassandra.

I agree with a pp that perhaps I should do both running and yoga.

I used to pay £75 a month for a yoga club etc, but ever since a friend in London reccomended this video I haven't looked back.

It looks simple but I literally couldn't walk properly the day after the first session. Ever since I've done it twice a week - it's all I need.

I did it 2/3 times a week up to my 30s . What PP said about turning up and doing it even if you don't feel like it. Its very good mentally and physically. Its much less spiritual than it used to be - many variations like bikram . Also restorative yoga is bliss. You lie in the poses for ages.

I absolutely love yoga. I saw such a change in my body and flexibility, and my mind too.

Yes yoga changed my life.

I’ve been doing regularly it for 20 years and it helps me manage a serious spinal condition.

I had two great pregnancies, and great post birth recovery.

I’m mid 40s now and in great shape attribute that to yoga.

It doesn’t matter if you’re not flexible, though it might never feel your ‘thing’ but it is a good supplement / support to running which is hard on your joints.

It’s not sport. It is irrelevant what other people in the class can do. It’s about you and your body. That can take a long time to get your head around but as PP have said up thread over time it can lead to an acceptance and love of your body and yourself AS THEY ARE not compared to something external - someone else, some ‘achievement’ some arbitrary standard.

To get the spiritual / meditative side you need to go to real in person classes with a good teacher.

A few times a week following an online class is great.

But if you want to deepen your practice and understanding you need to go to the class of a teacher you like, respect, trust and feel gets you and your body regularly.

Once a week minimum.

Before kids I practiced ashtanga on the Mysore style. That should be six mornings a week, less moon days and the first three days of your period.

With young kids I can’t sustain that. But in a good week I go to 3-4 real life classes a week.

It IS my thing though. A bit of cardio on the side is my supplement. The other way round is fine too.

Yoga and running is a great combination. I find the flexibility and core strength I get from yoga supports the running, while running improves my cardio and stamina. It sometimes seems like an ongoing battle between running tightening my calves and yoga lengthening them again. But mostly I do yoga because I sleep so much better if I do - even 10 minutes in the evening before bed seems to help me slow down and relax. Short daily practice seems to have much more impact than occasional longer sessions. I'm not into the spiritual side of yoga, and have had bad experiences with sitting meditation in the past, but breathing and mindfulness while moving seem to be really good for my mental health.