Any Yogis about?

[LemonSwan]

Sorry don’t know where to post this so chose the busiest board.

How do you actually go from competent beginner to doing much more advanced yoga?

I have been doing group classes for quite a while. My teacher is great and she really spices things up with moves, flow, themes etc. but how do you learn the really complex stuff like handstands, head stands, arm balances etc?

i guess my class is more lyengar then...teacher does lots of different things...i dont like flow classes....they advertise as easy but i find them too fast
I found Kundalini boring...teacher sat on a cushion and chanted and gave out instructions etc...its a bit cultish also...??...but it was held in a trendy place in a trendy area....i wont do it again...kept looking at clock hoping for that class to finish...plus there was hard sell on the robes and books and incense at £25 a stick !!

I use You Tube to build up to and learn advanced poses so then when the class does crow pose I'll do bird in a basket (or try) etc. A good yoga teacher will cue you advanced poses. I've been doing yoga for 30 years age has slowed me down but I do very regular practice and you tube is better than classes imo

😂 I recognise that description of kundalini 😂😂

I've just joined a class and done 3 sessions
.very downhearted at how hard I find it. I use the belt and blocks but am still nowhere near the poses. I cant hold downward facing dog for more than a few seconds as it hurts my wrists.
I do want to continue but not enjoying it at all

The idea of yoga is to be aware of your body and know what your body can / wants to do at that moment in time and do it. So if you need to bend your knees in down face dog, or come out of it after a few seconds, or stay on your knees or any other adjustment that’s OK and more more akin to the philosophy of yoga than staying in a pose which looks pretty but doesn’t feel right.

The yoga teacher who's helped me the most at improving at the poses you mention has an Iyengar background. She uses lots of props to help people try the poses more safely - e.g. holding a block between your hands can help keep forearms in the correct alignment for arm balance. We practise in a studio that has ballet barres, so they get used a lot to help with intermediate steps in doing whatever tricky pose.

She also does a lot of the building through sequences of related poses (like the puppy/dolphin sequence mentioned above) and then "inviting" people to have a go at the balance. She always says "invite" - it's clearly part of her teaching style and probably a good way to think about doing these poses - you're just seeing if your body's up for doing this pose on a particular day. You also need to be in the right mental space - about half my headstand prep is centring myself before I even put my head to the floor!

I do a lot of yoga.

You can't reliably expect to improve dramatically doing just one or two classes a week. You need to do practice at home every single day. I do an hour, you should work up to that amount and you can break it into 2 half hour sessions.

I have even had moments where it clicks a year after trying an advanced move. Literally from not being able to at all the it just happens. It will come if you practice a lot.

Do keep in mind that you may never be able to do some of the moves that need extreme flexibility unless you have practiced similar movements since childhood, eg you did gymnastics. Not everybody's joints remain that flexible and trying to force it will do you no good at all.

Thanks. I'll keep at it. I'm sure it will do me good,even with the limits I have.

I've never done any formal yoga classes but I started with Adriene videos in lockdown 'find what feels good' style. Then I felt like the next thing I wanted to do was get stronger in my core and back muscles partly because it makes me feel good in myself, standing up straighter, and also I have this crazy idea of being able to do a standalone handstand one day.
I do about 15 minutes four times a week and a year ago or more I paid for this practice.karindimitrovova.com/p/the-core-play It was I think about £32 at the time (and I still haven't completed the course to be honest) but it had some core exercises I really liked, unlike some of the ones Adriene did that seemed to make my thighs hurt more than anything or gave me neck ache the next day! So I do those regularly, along with other strengthening type yoga and balance exercises. And I practise doing handstands for a very brief period against the side of a doorway so I can wobble backwards and forward. Just for fun.
So I'm not sure how helpful any of this is but it works for me. There's no way I could justify spending 7 hours a week doing yoga as suggested above,but I'm lucky that I can often fit in 15 minutes before I start work. It makes me feel better in myself, and it's nice trying to improve.

Go to iyengar. They teach each of these as standard.

there are many different schools of yoga. They teach in different ways and at different paces. Our far focuses on explicit, detailed, analytical approaches to classic poses so would work toward headstand over the weeks. Sarah fa and flow are more about constant lyrical movement.

Thank you all.

Some really helpful tips and so nice to hear about others journeys.

I have never tried Ivengar, more flow styles, Ashtanga and I am a big fan of the torture that is Bikram.

Do keep in mind that you may never be able to do some of the moves that need extreme flexibility unless you have practiced similar movements since childhood, eg you did gymnastics. Not everybody's joints remain that flexible and trying to force it will do you no good at all.

Dont worry I can absolutely relate! There’s absolutely no way I am ever doing the split type moves. I grit my teeth thinking about them. Ouch!

It’s more the power and balance element I am attracted too. I absolutely love doing the standing strong triangle or one leg balance type moves like all the warriors, eagle, half moon, tree etc.m

Thought how cool would it be to do these types of moves but upside down 🤣

I am really excited to try dolphin but been so busy today and now stuffed with a chilli con carne. Probably a recipe for heartburn so I will try tomorrow and let you know how it goes 🤣

Wow just looking at this it looks really good. I like that’s it lifetime access and manageable time each day and a programme for a month.

I do a Vinyasa Flow class every week but as PPs have says, you need regular daily practice to improve.

I use www.downdogapp.com, it’s £5.99 per month and you can choose length, type of practice, what type of voice and music. It has made regular home practice possible for me, I just wouldn’t know what to do otherwise! Highly recommend!

Same. I did specific workshops for things like handstands and forearm stands.

Cant imagine it just happening in a standard flow practice.

Both poses are all about core but I can do a headstand relatively easily but cannot master crow despite years of practice and even my chataranga is still on my knees because when I do full plank I know my arms don't engage properly. I also can't do a press up.

The set up is key. Put your forearms flat and grasp both elbows with opposite hands then bring your clasped hands to the front to be the third point of your triangle. That's your base. You should fire up your biceps then legs straight. Walk them as close as you can to your bum and just play with lifting one foot at a time. Engaging your core the whole way.

Eventually you'll be able to lift both knees into your body and then straighten your legs. Took me a few weeks practising daily.

Have been trying dolphin. Quite fun!

Whilst we have the yogis all together may I ask about half moon?

What is actually the proper position for half moon.

Is it bottom hand on the floor, or floating (basically at block height without a block).

Basically I am asking is it supposed to be a hip opener type stretching position or actually a core working position.

Thanks if anyone sees this.

Hand on floor is easier. Hand floating with no block is more of a test of balance. There are different variations. I've been to an intermediate class when hands are in prayer pose.

It's a hip and heart opener. Great for balance and strengthening legs.

Thank you 😊

4th yoga class today and....I'm hating it. I cant hold the poses( especially downward dog) as my wrists hurt. I have to go into child pose all the time to rest which is demoralising. Should I continue or is this just beyond me?
I use the blocks and belt. I'm 59

Are you doing a beginners class? I wouldnt just join a random class. It can take a long time to build strength unfortunately, you do need a consistent practice. But the benefits aren't just physical, that's just a one part. The breathing, the mindfulness, the philosophy, relaxation. On top of strength and flexibility. However some classes are better than others, you need to try a few sometimes to decide what is good for you.

I'd also say, it's your practice. If you take 20 child's poses so what? It's not a competition. An advanced yoga practice isn't doing a handstand it's understanding your own body and what you need that day.

Thank you. Its a mixed class and the teacher is lovely and very kind but I dont find it relaxing at all. I just get angry and frustrated with myself so I get stressed and demoralised. I do realise this is me,not the class, but I'm beginning to wonder if its for me

I don't agree with starting with a mixed class for most people really, it can be demoralising. Does anywhere do a beginner class or course? Best to build your confidence that way. (I have a family of yoga teachers ☺️)

I agree with doadder; if your not enjoying the classes definitely switch. Even different classes with the same teacher can be wildly different. With my current teacher I have been to 4 of her different classes and the range of pace, postures, ethos etc is so vast.

If it’s just down dog your having issues with never be scared to miss a pose. It is your practice and you can do what you want. Stay late after and have a chat about what modification or alternative you could do for now.

If you do want to switch classes I found (as a rough guide) timings massively effect the class attendees/ethos.

Early evening is usually the post work lot looking to reawaken the body after sitting in a chair all day; so quite fast paced even for the beginners.

Late evening sessions can be the above or sometimes really lovely yin yoga which is all about stretching and relaxation. More seated or lying down postures.

I find in my area early morning weekday beginner sessions are a mixed bunch; retirees, those recovering from injury, mums or those that want a slower environment to ‘go back to basics’ and realign their practice. I did these recently myself as part of my recovery and whilst I thought it would be boring it was actually brilliant. One of my favourite sessions and I might go back. There was a lot more time to get in and out of positions, to play around, be given corrections and more options for modifications to try.

I also looked at modified yoga like chair yoga when I was first getting back into it and struggling.

Lots of options out there and am sure you will find the right class for you. Teachers might even offer a free session to check its right for you before signing onto a block.