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Original poster

Want to do yoga but I'm not bendy enough

34 replies

FairyAtTheBottomOfTheGarden · 15/07/2021 13:26

I'm 50, not overweight and do plenty of running / walking but would love to do a nice yoga flow, it looks so good for you physically and mentally.

Even the beginner you tube videos I've found aren't any good though. They all seem to think that it's 'simple' to go from downward dog and 'simply' step one foot forward between your hands - I just can't!

So does anyone know of any yoga workouts for real beginners who want to slowly improve flexibility and wellness? Thanks!

OP posts:
Lilao · 15/07/2021 13:28

I would recommend trying a face to face community style class in a local hall or something?

I used to attend one like this and there were people of all abilities, and the instructor could suggest amendments suitable for your specific needs.

E.g I have a knee injury so they gave me modified positions to try to keep my weight off of my knee.

4PawsGood · 15/07/2021 13:28

I would wonder if you could get into the poses given more time, or just go as far as you can with them. So with the example you use, you don’t need to get there in one step, you can have a bit of a shuffle to get there. Pause the video while you get there if you need.

Saladdressingwithmustard · 15/07/2021 13:34

Yoga teacher here. 🕉️😊 It's more about building mobility and strength than being bendy when you start. And about not judging yourself in comparison with others!

Try local classes or at least live online yoga with a teacher you click with - there are lots of different types and styles so you may need to try a few.

Take a look at their information online (website, FB page etc) to try to find one you like the look of.

Tuesdayisland · 15/07/2021 13:37

Yes, see if you can find some in person classes (and try a few teachers if the first one doesn't feel right). I've practiced yoga for years and still can't get my heels on the floor in down dog, a good teacher will be able to help you understand what works for your body and how to progress without injuring yourself.

Niconacotaco · 15/07/2021 13:39

I find the videos difficult because you can’t see the screen while in the postures and even the beginner ones assume some sort of basic knowledge or go too quickly.
In a class you can copy the person next to you if you can’t see the teacher plus the teacher will give you advice if you aren’t in the correct position.
And it is all a work in progress - some moves I can “step my foot forward” easily enough, in others it is still an awkward shuffle.

helpfulperson · 15/07/2021 13:45

I know you're not overweight but try looking up 'yoga for bigger bodies' on YouTube. She is great and it is designed for those who lack flexibility

BIWI · 15/07/2021 13:46

Presumably, though, as you do more, you'll become more flexible?

Original poster
FairyAtTheBottomOfTheGarden · 15/07/2021 13:48

Thanks for all your replies, but I don't want to do classes as I need to be flexible on the times of day.

At least I know I might get it right one day if I practice enough!

OP posts:
Orf1abc · 15/07/2021 13:48

Three bits of advice - try Yoga with Adriene, adjust when you need to, and learn to laugh at yourself.

ReviewingTheSituation · 15/07/2021 13:50

Another vote for yoga with Adriene. She's great, and I'm the least bendy person on God's earth. I have done yoga with a teacher before though, so I do know the basic poses/terminology.

Shurl · 15/07/2021 13:52

Some people never manage to get their foot between their hands in one go, it's just not possible for their body. Yoga is about finding what works for you and listening to your body. As you improve you will find some things become easier, whereas some things are always tough.

Yoga for Adriene is good for discussions about not pushing yourself too far. And the downdog app with the beginners Yoga is a fantastic free resource to start with. It's very prescriptive on how poses should be held to prevent injury.

Elverybaby · 15/07/2021 13:53

That's why you do yoga, to get a little more bendy! Just go as far as you can and you will get more flexible very quickly.

Saladdressingwithmustard · 15/07/2021 14:46

"Thanks for all your replies, but I don't want to do classes as I need to be flexible on the times of day."

Some teachers offer a 'class pass' so if you can't make one of their classes, you can go to another one.

Obviously as a Yoga teacher I would say this, but there's no substitute for a good teacher who will make it more personalised.

You'll get far more out of that (and it's more motivating).

Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy it - Yoga changed my life which is why I now teach. 😊

Shannith · 15/07/2021 14:51

I'm a massive fan of yoga with Adrienne on you tube.

There are lots of very gentle ones for beginners.

I started yoga (I'm 46) about a year ago as I was fit but not bendy at all.

You have to have a lot of patience. It's taken me daily yoga for a whole year to look anything like she does in the videos.

It's also the best thing I've ever done. It's slowly transformed my whole way of moving/standing and I'd never be without it.

It's very, very incremental (for me) I I do it because I enjoy it and the strength and bendiness just creeps up on you!

sadperson16 · 15/07/2021 14:56

I spent years and years in a class building up to 'chair' and 'triangle' I quite literally couldn't do anything at all.
My present class includes downward dog which has,again taken me years to achieve.I cant do the simply let you feet meet your hands.
It's been a very slow journey indeedBlush

Cowbells · 15/07/2021 15:02

I agree - join a live class that shows you interim movements.

I'm very bendy and have done yoga for years and I still can't do that foot between your hands basic move, even though I can easily put my pals on the floor next to my feet. But not the reverse. My yoga teacher has tried showing me various ways and has now given up and lets me put my other knee down first which somehow frees up the opposite foot (no idea why or why I can't do it.)

Or follow an online class but make a note of any moves you can't do and look up specific yoga videos on you tube for modified movements.

QuentinBunbury · 15/07/2021 15:02

You definitely need a class at first as 1) teacher can tailor the explanations to you so it'll be easier and 2) it's much easier to learn poses when you know how they "feel" when done right, which you can't get from a video.
Some teachers offer one to one sessions which could be good to start.

YellowMonday · 15/07/2021 15:22

I'm a massive fan of yoga with Adrienne on you tube.

Me as well! She's great, all about feeling free in your body and doing what feels good.

I strongly recommend having a yoga block and strap, can pick up cheaply and makes the world of difference - while you're beginning, positions become enjoyable rather than feeling like a pretzel.

Slothkin · 15/07/2021 20:14

Another recommending Adrienne - in the first lockdown my friend and I video-called each other doing her course for beginners and it was great (although we were very, very much beginners who were trying to learn a bit and have some fun).

I do find in-person classes vastly easier to follow though - I do one which is callisthenics based and I gave up within minutes on a zoom class I thought I’d try because I was going to do myself/the house/innocent bystanders a mischief!

Slothkin · 15/07/2021 20:19

Oh and I’d also echo others - do not be daunted because you’re not as bendy as others! It’s just are you a little smidge more bendy than you were yesterday? If so, hurrah! 🥳

MsAnnFrope · 15/07/2021 20:22

I love yoga with adriene but also for a very gentle intro to yoga look for a dru practitioner. I did this and it was such a revelation.

Glitterspy · 15/07/2021 20:26

Yoga is all about BEING at your own speed and level of bendiness - it’s not a competition and we shouldn’t think in terms of being good or bad at it, rather what we want to get out of it that day, for ourselves. That’s it. We are all beginners in yoga in that way 🕉

Try searching for beginner Iyengar yoga, that is all about using props (straps and blocks) to get you “into” the right positions to get the benefits of yoga without having to be super bendy. It’ll also give you a fantastic foundation in doing the postures in the “right” way in terms of your body’s alignment.

Good luck and enjoy YOUR journey!. If you feel yoga is for you, it’s for you, regardless of how “bendy” you think you are! 💕

OverByYer · 15/07/2021 20:30

I’ve been doing classes for about 3 years and still can’t step my foot between my hands , I still lift and place with my hand

HelenHywater · 15/07/2021 20:31

I agree that at least one face to face class first would be useful so you understand the poses. The beginner workshops are fab for this - a course of 6 or whatever lessons are good.

It's not about your bendiness - the beauty of yoga is that it is tailored just to you, and there's no scores given. You will see improvement over time.

Other than that, I agree that Adrienne is really lovely.

Glitterspy · 15/07/2021 20:35

P.s it helps with the foot thing to look up and forward when you’re swinging your leg. If your keep your head down and look at the floor, it’ll never get there