Yoga with Adriene - can't do step 1

[Scarby9]

Following advice on various threads here, I decided to try 30 days of yoga with Adriene to kickstart the new year.

I have never previously done any yoga.

At the start of the Day 1 video, she pulls her left heel in and tucks the right heel in front, putting her knees almost to the floor.

I cannot begin to do that.
Not anywhere near.
Even sitting on several books.
My knees remain stubbornly around or above my elbows.

Does that mean I am not ready for yoga, or can anyone suggested a modified starting position?
Does it matter?

No, it just means its something to aspire to!

Move only as far as your body allows you, after a few weeks you'll start to notice you're becoming stronger and more flexible.

OK. Tbf, my flexibility can only go one way, so I will press on.
Thank you.

There will be modified poses but I can't tell you what they are im afraid!

It is the great advantage of you tube yoga, you don’t see what other people are doing in the class! It’s not a competitive activity, you are working with your own body, I couldn’t do some of the things Adrienne was doing either, I just sat tall , breathed and watched her. I will keep on with move month, see how it goes. If I really can’t cope I will find one of her beginners classes and go back to basics (again).

Your starting position will be absolutely fine. Honestly, you’ll be really chuffed by how some of your pose flexibility improves really quickly. Other things will be tricky for awhile. Just do what you can and what feels comfortable to start with and then extend your stretch a little as you go. Trust her too. She’s really good at explaining gently and I listen rather than watch her for that reason.

I say this as someone who did daily sessions for a year and have nowt for about 8 months and am now returning. It is hard work but I know the reward is good!

Good luck!

Thank you everyone.
I'll report back in 30 days...

Meant to say my favourite ever yoga teacher used to say she had been practising yoga for over thirty years and still found some moves and positions awkward and difficult, people’s bodies work in different ways.

You will improve! I am arthritic AF but Adrienne has got me to move my legs seminormally again (just don't ask me to crouch).

Sometimes the stuff that seems the easiest (sitting) is the hardest and vice versa. I struggle with cross legged positions too. She’ll likely refer to this a lot but do what feels good for you! A block or rolled up towel / folded pillow under your bum helps for a lot of people. Also - it’s really fun to see your progression through the month!

I feel your pain!

I can't do regular yoga as I can't get on & off the floor every 2 mins. So I thought I'd try her sitting yoga.... nope. I can't do all
Of the leg work - if I could do that, I'd be fine with her regular yoga!!

Yoga is SO HARD! I try Adrienne every January and never get past day 1.

@scarby9

Do you mean this bit (screenshot attached)?

Lots and lots of people are uncomfortable sitting cross legged (or can't do it at all) for many reasons. It doesn't matter at all if your knees are near your elbows - if you're comfortable enough it's fine. You could try popping blocks or rolled up blankets under your knees or thighs to support your hips. Happy baby pose is a lovely hip opener that will help if your hips are tight. Or you might like sitting in baddha konasana (butterfly pose) or with your legs outstretched (can be uncomfortable but sitting on a block might help).

I've done yoga on and off for years and there were bits of Day 1 I couldn't do. Partly I think because I've seized up during the pandemic, and partly because they were quite hard. Also my boobs get in the way!

You will get stronger. Just do what you can, and sit out what you can't manage. Focus on your breathing as much as the movement.

Yes, @evilharpy, that's it.
I could never sit cross legged in school assembly as a child either - my knees don't seem keen to stray that far from one another!

Ages back (so I don't have a link,) my yoga teacher shared some x-ray pics of pelvises, showing how different hip joints can be, and pointing out that some people will never be able to do certain poses, because their bones just won't let them, however much they practice. I found that helpful.

But regular yoga will increase your strength, flexibility and balance from whatever your starting point is just now, and it is worth doing, even if you can't do things just as they are on screen.

Come and join us on the 30 days of yoga thread (sorry don’t know how to link). It’s really supportive and many of us can’t do / need to modify various moves.
You’ve got this. Just do what you can but keep turning up.

I love yoga with Adrienne! Are you on Instagram because she often posts videos of people around the world doing her sessions that they’ve tagged her into and it’s really inspirational seeing all the different types of people getting involved. You’ll improve really quickly so do try and stick at it and there’s loads of videos where she just says do what feels good for you etc.

Hi, we have a thread running for this - please come and join us there!

I did two days of one of her previous 30 day courses. I was quite achey so had a day off and today I've done a lower back one and hands.

I've done quite a bit of yoga in the past but I'm quite out of practice and also have a very stiff lower back and dodgy hands at the moment.

Start with one of the beginners videos and take it slowly. You will see progress but you just need to do what you can. You will find some things easy and other things very hard.

I haven't done yoga at home before but I'm quite enjoying getting the mat out when I fancy. Much nicer to be at home doing it by Christmas tree lights than in a draughty church hall!

Sitting cross legged is rarely required anyway. She and other teachers often refer to 'taking a comfortable seat' - so sit comfortably in any way that suits you. But really don't put any pressure on yourself at all. I do daily yoga already and found some parts of days 2 and 3 hard. There are things my body just finds a challenge and always will.

If it makes you feel any better OP, I am also doing her recent 30 day one but I am so out of shape at the moment (for various reasons -some medical!) that I can actually only cope with half a session each day. Hoping to build up as things go on, but please don’t feel you’re the only one struggling!

Thread for YWA Move followers:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/yoga/4424246-Adrienne-30-days-of-yoga-MOVE

I've done yoga on and off since my 20s and dancing into my teens, but I'm just not built to be flexible and find props helpful.
Using a block to support where you can't reach the ground for support really helps avoid uncomfortable "hanging"
Using things like a cushion/ blanket to lift your hips helps with the opening of joints.
A strap/ resistance band helps with reaching/ stretching.

Form matters more than the shape, one reason why I like Adriene as she's not about making impressive pretzel shapes for the sake of it. Hence "find what feels good"

Hello! I'm pleased to see a thread for this.
I'm a day behind and haven't been keeping up with my yoga so I'm not finding it easy but I'm still enjoying it.
Could someone please post the downloadable calendar for this month? I was late signing up and don't think I received all of the emails. I can't seem to find it anywhere.