I'm the weakest, wobbliest, most inflexible person EVER

[happytobemrsg]

I'm looking for encouragement! Just attended my first yoga class. It gets easier right?!? I took so many rests during the poses (doing the aptly named Child's Pose).

Please tell me it gets better!

Yes, it gets easier, and dont compare yourself to other people. There are huge variations in natural flexibility so just look to improve from your own base. I found it took about 8 classes (Ashtanga) before I saw a difference.

It definitely gets easier! Don't worry about getting up to speed with everyone else. Each time focus on doing something a little bit better, like 'ok are my wrists really under my shoulders?' or 'can I reach a little bit further?' Just tiny little adjustments in your own practice, you'll find you make progress. I remember my wrists being really sore and my legs being so tight when I started, but it's so much better now. Good luck!

Good for you for giving it a go OP, you should be proud of yourself regardless Not wanting to derail the thread but can anyone tell me whether you can do yoga 'properly' at home from videos? I'm not confident enough to go to a class but would like to try it, bought a video ages ago but keep finding excuses not to make a start, the latest being to convince myself I won't get it right without someone there to correct me

hiding personally I cant as I need correction. It's very easy to do it slightly wrong and lose most of the benefit (a bit like weightlifting- my PT will move my arm 1 inch and suddenly I can lift half the weight and it loads somewhere completely different!!). However, it probbaly depends on how good the instruction is as well.

OP yes much easier. I think the first class can come as a shock but balance, strength and flexibility will keep improving.

As others have said don't compare yourself to anyone else. Just let yourself develop at your own rate. They will be some things that will be easier for you, than for others in your class and some things that will be harder for you than others in your class.

Also we all have off days too, where we aren't able to do as much as we normally manage in class. So listen to your body on the day and work within its limits on that day. Ignore everyone else.

Trained yoga teacher here. Don't pass judgement on yourself after one class!

I used to do astanga yoga and it took me years, genuinely, to be able to complete the opening sequence of ten sun salutations without taking rests. It doesn't matter. It wouldn't have mattered if I'd never got to that stage. The only thing you have to do in yoga is get on the mat and breathe. I know that sounds floaty but it's true!

The great thing about yoga is it's not linear and it's not predictable. You can go into class feeling bouncy, confident, 100% well, and have a terrible practice; or go in feeling stiff or below par or unfocused, and have a great one. The key is to accept both. Just care about enjoying it.

hiding I would always recommend some classes too. Form is so important for things like Yoga and pilates. Plus if you have any medical conditions or long standing injuries there are things you shouldn't do or have to do modified versions of.

Re class confidence - you don't need to be slim, fit, flexible, strong, etc, there are various body shapes, sizes and ages, as well as various abilities, including those with long term injuries and/or medical conditions, in my class. I would advise looking for a British Wheel of Yoga Instructor and if you are not very confident avoiding classes in gyms.

I tried yoga

I ended up being dragged out a jibbering wreck as it set off my vertigo

I threw up in the reception area

I won't be going again

It was supposed to be a beginners group and it wasn't really - was BAM straight in with no pre session chat about yoga etc ... no questions about medical issues

I felt very uncomfortable and even if my vertigo hadn't started I would've not been too happy

It was supposed to be a beginners group and it wasn't really - was BAM straight in with no pre session chat about yoga etc ... no questions about medical issues

That instructor's not fit to practice and their insurance would be invalid should anything happen. I would consider reporting them for the safety of others.

I can recommend Iyengar yoga. Look for a beginners class. They teach you all the basics and you build up strength and confidence as the weeks go on.

You can find a local teacher using this link

iyengaryoga.org.uk/members-dashboard/find-a-teacher/

Iyengar teachers are properly trained, fully insured and always chat before the class and ask for medical history.

Do not give up.

Have a look at Pilates classes as well if you can
and if there is a BodyBalance class - that is choreographed to have lots of options.

Your muscles will have been in a flat spin panic at all the new things you asked them to do.
By the fifth time you ask, they will have the hang of it.

I do yoga several times a week and have done for years and years.
My muscles still go into a flat spin panic if told to do something brand new

cafe, I'm very sorry to hear about your experience. I agree with this: That instructor's not fit to practice and their insurance would be invalid should anything happen. I would consider reporting them for the safety of others.

Rather than giving up completely, how about finding another class (through recommendation maybe) and taking the teacher aside to explain about your vertigo before class starts? It was an awful experience but I have never been in a class, or heard of a class, that was so badly run; it was likely an unfortunate one-off.

Thank you all

I must admit from the beginning I felt like I wasn't welcome - the other yoga persons were obviously very experienced ( even though it was supposed to be a beginners course)

My expectations ( gentle explanations and what the moves meant with advice on what to do about not being flexible etc) were way off the mark.

I thought yoga would suit me as I am unable to do any impact type exercise as I have had spinal surgery and I am riddled with arthritis ( as well as the vertigo). I also have very tight Achilles' tendons and this with my spinal problems makes cafeaulait a stiff girl - I can't even touch my knees!

So .... you advise I find someone else? It's a shame as this is a proper dedicated place for yoga etc and not in a gym.

Thanks for the link
I have found a teacher who is 20 miles away - she does sessions for those with medical issues

I am going to send her an email and hope

cafe
A gym will actually be better than a dedicated yoga studio as they are often VERY cliquey
At a gym you'll get runners who decide to have a go at yoga
so the classes are more light heated

Cafe I would say always go to a British Wheel of Yoga Instructor. Look for one that is not a gym and not a yoga centre, where you can choose to turn up at various classes as and when you want. Look for one which you sign up for so many weeks at a time, on a set day, at a set time, with one instructor. That way the instructor will fully understand your medical issues and thus ensure you have adaptations for anything that is problematic for your medical issues.

Whereabouts are you, OP? Someone may be able to recommend a good class. I go to a gentle yoga class and still take breaks / sit out the harder moves, and I don't care because it still does me good.

Oh and "beginners" in yoga can mean anything from a total beginner to people who've done it for years but not progressed to intermediate or advanced classes. A well run beginners class will cater for that whole range.

Just thought I'd mention it so your not put off if you find another class and there aren't many 'newbies' in the class. So long as the instructor caters fully to both newbies and the more established 'beginners' it shouldn't matter.

That was to cafe