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Original poster

Talk me into trying yoga

50 replies

MrsCr0cus · 28/09/2023 08:00

I joined my local gym a few months ago and have been going to lots of body conditioning type classes, which I really like. I've never really got into yoga but at 47 I'm thinking it would be a good thing to add to the things I go to - there are yoga sessions at my gym too.

I did a taster session but as a fundamentally lazy person, I still can't quite get my head around spending a whole hour at the gym on an activity that doesn't make me hot and sweaty and burn a ton of calories.

So...yoga...what is it good for?!? I'm not very flexible so I suppose that would be a thing it might help with. Will I be able to stretch like Angela Ripon if I stick with it?!

OP posts:
Bubbles254 · 28/09/2023 08:11

I like doing yoga at home before bed rather than at the gym. I find it helps relax me and has helped with sore muscles from strength training as well as flexibility. I do the yoga with adriene youtube videos.

lljkk · 28/09/2023 08:14

It's supposed to be good for "toning" (I also fail to see how). I can see how it could help me with balance (things like standing on one leg), maybe posture, suppleness, flexibility. Didn't M.Phelps spend 45 minutes today on 'stretching' which included yoga-type moves. Older people (age 70+) do seize up. 47yr olds not so much, maybe.

Yoga also seems hopelessly boring tame to me., but I'm trying to try more things like that in case they help with my suppleness.

15yr old DS is really into yoga-type moves, thinks they're brill.

Olika · 28/09/2023 08:16

I did yoga for some time and I was sweating and felt it in the end after attending few classes. I could really feel the difference so perhaps give it a bit more time.

Beautifulsunflowers · 28/09/2023 08:17

I’m the opposite to you! I hate getting sweaty! But I love yoga, Pilates and body balance. Body balance is a mix of yoga Pilates and tai chi and it more flowing than yoga in that you don’t hold the poses for as long.
Ive found it’s been good for my posture, overall strength and mental health. It’s calming, and some of the stretches are lovely.
A lot of people at my gym do body pump then a yoga class after!
I say give it a go and see if you like it.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 28/09/2023 08:22

Im a bit older than you and had the same attitude to yoga but I started a Pilates class about a year ago, and I am so much stronger than I was. My balance is much better too.

My sister, who is your age, hates sweaty exercise, but has done yoga seriously for about 10 years. She is incredibly, impressively lean and strong. It's more of a slow burn than high tempo cardio.

MsMartini · 28/09/2023 08:23

Not what you asked for - but why should you if you don't want to?

You are presumably ticking the NHS boxes with your classes and anything else you do? https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-guidelines/physical-activity-guidelines-for-adults-aged-19-to-64/. If so, and you want to add in something else, I'd pick something you enjoy/try new things!

I am older than you (nearly 57) and do loads of strength training, some boxing, a bit of running, loads of walking. I like Pilates and swimming occasionally do some of that when I have time. Yoga can increase flexibility but is that something you especially need? I don't, and I incorporate some mobility work and stretching into everything else I do.

Original poster
MrsCr0cus · 28/09/2023 08:26

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 28/09/2023 08:22

Im a bit older than you and had the same attitude to yoga but I started a Pilates class about a year ago, and I am so much stronger than I was. My balance is much better too.

My sister, who is your age, hates sweaty exercise, but has done yoga seriously for about 10 years. She is incredibly, impressively lean and strong. It's more of a slow burn than high tempo cardio.

Ah, now this is the kind of post I am here for. Maybe I will give it a proper try.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsCr0cus · 28/09/2023 08:29

Thanks, all. I hope this isn't a drip feed but I happened to see another thread yesterday about being able to stand from sitting on the floor without using your hands as an indicator of longevity, and having tried and failed I am now thinking I need to be stronger and more flexible! Which is in part what got me thinking about yoga.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsCr0cus · 28/09/2023 08:30

MsMartini · 28/09/2023 08:23

Not what you asked for - but why should you if you don't want to?

You are presumably ticking the NHS boxes with your classes and anything else you do? https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-guidelines/physical-activity-guidelines-for-adults-aged-19-to-64/. If so, and you want to add in something else, I'd pick something you enjoy/try new things!

I am older than you (nearly 57) and do loads of strength training, some boxing, a bit of running, loads of walking. I like Pilates and swimming occasionally do some of that when I have time. Yoga can increase flexibility but is that something you especially need? I don't, and I incorporate some mobility work and stretching into everything else I do.

Also a v good point!

OP posts:
Absolutely45 · 28/09/2023 08:35

Been yoga for flexibility reasons, which i enjoy, but i can't get my head around our teachers spiritual side of things.. i don't really want to spend 15minutes of every lesson feeling the earth supporting my body (when i'm in an old village hall) and then do a pray at the end of it all.

So i ve started doing a Yoga course and mobility thing on line instead until i find a Yoga class that at least doesn't do the pray stuff.

joelmillersbackpack · 28/09/2023 08:36

Bubbles254 · 28/09/2023 08:11

I like doing yoga at home before bed rather than at the gym. I find it helps relax me and has helped with sore muscles from strength training as well as flexibility. I do the yoga with adriene youtube videos.

I do the same videos at home. As a beginning I’d find an hour too long tbh. I still mostly do 30 minutes and there is a big difference in my strength.

ImAStallionBaby · 28/09/2023 08:43

Yoga is not for me. I try, but my last lesson, teacher said to breathe in through the soles of the feet.

I think body balance is better, or pilates. They both help with strength and flexibility.

MsMartini · 28/09/2023 12:40

Pilates grew out of rehab and is more strength-based training, and I really rate it as teaching you healthy movement patterns. But if you mainly want strength, there are other probably faster ways to go about it. Yoga has roots in more spiritual practice, and is more focussed on flexibility and mobility.

So, as I said below, if your already getting your basic cardio and strength boxes ticked, it really is about what you would enjoy, what is sustainable and practical for you, and what you aims are. If it is functional fitness (being able to get off the ground, lift things etc), then train that.

weirdoboelady · 28/09/2023 12:43

Why not just do 20-30 mins of Adriene at home? When I did this regularly (for over a year, every day. No idea why I lapsed) it did noticeably increase my strength, reduced/abolished back pain when walking, and improved balance. I will get back to it once I am over this covid bout. And it's free....

EmmaEmerald · 28/09/2023 12:56

OP you could try Body Balance, I like that, it feels active

or you could learn yoga moves and do power yoga, if that's still a thing? I have an MTV power yoga DVD - very active and energising!

MistyTrains2 · 28/09/2023 13:01

Yoga is good for flexibility and mobility. If you can't see how mobility is an important component of an exercise program I don't know how else to explain it. If you train very hard, you absolutely have to have mobility in your routine. It is also beneficial as you age.

On a personal side, for me what I love about yoga is that it you show up to the mat, you take your body for what it can do, you focus purely on your motion for the hour, it's very mentally destressing and meditative in that sense.

I personally like Hatha as it they have nice opening up stretches. Yin or Restorative is nice as you stay in the pose for longer. Ashtanga is more cardio as you keep moving.

There are other types of mobility work though if it's not for you, don't force yourself to like something you don't!

LuckyLuchi · 28/09/2023 13:09

MrsCr0cus · 28/09/2023 08:29

Thanks, all. I hope this isn't a drip feed but I happened to see another thread yesterday about being able to stand from sitting on the floor without using your hands as an indicator of longevity, and having tried and failed I am now thinking I need to be stronger and more flexible! Which is in part what got me thinking about yoga.

This is the exercise that we conclude every Pilates class with! I am 47 too and all my life I avoided yoga and Pilates but did tons of running and high impact exercises. Yoga , Pilates always seemed boring. However, I now have so many injuries..that I can't do anything high impact, only walking and Pilates. I got really into it and now really enjoy them - it feels very indulgent and like I am finally properly taking care of my body. I feel leaner, stronger and can do a lot more than in the beginning, so you really do feel a difference in strength and flexibility, with time and consistency. I only wish I started in my 20s, then I would avoid all these injuries

EquallyDetermined · 28/09/2023 13:13

Some yoga classes are a lot more strenuous than others, it might worth asking at your gym for a bit more detail about them.

As for the spiritual aspect it is an integrated part of yoga practice, which is why some churches don't allow their buildings to be used for it. Some classes are more of a light touch with it than others though. It is your choice whether to engage with it or lie there thinking about what's for dinner (I'm more of the latter TBH but I am trying to engage properly as there are benefits to the deep relaxation and it feels a bit wrong not to, in the same way you wouldn't walk out of another class before doing the stretches at the end). If I don't do any for a couple of weeks, say on holiday I do notice the difference in mobility.

fearfuloffluff · 28/09/2023 13:22

Yoga is a lot harder than it looks. I've been to advanced type yoga classes where I felt like my joints had been rearranged afterwards.

Hatha yoga is slower and aimed at relaxation, Ashtanga is more active 'flow' series of movements. There are other types too.

Yoga is not really about getting fit though, it's about easing tension in the body by stretching and doing breathing exercises. Toning muscles and building strength is more of a side effect. I personally find going to a class where I leave all the usual mind noise behind much more beneficial than a video at home where I keep thinking about laundry etc.

It might be a bit snobby but I suspect the yoga provided in gyms might be more about pulling poses than the breathwork side of things, you might want to find another class to get the most benefit.

tinselvestsparklepants · 28/09/2023 13:25

I used to get hideous, debilitating headaches. If i do a particular online yoga session once a week, I don't get them.

Shadypaws23 · 28/09/2023 13:28

lljkk · 28/09/2023 08:14

It's supposed to be good for "toning" (I also fail to see how). I can see how it could help me with balance (things like standing on one leg), maybe posture, suppleness, flexibility. Didn't M.Phelps spend 45 minutes today on 'stretching' which included yoga-type moves. Older people (age 70+) do seize up. 47yr olds not so much, maybe.

Yoga also seems hopelessly boring tame to me., but I'm trying to try more things like that in case they help with my suppleness.

15yr old DS is really into yoga-type moves, thinks they're brill.

I do weights and loads of spin classes
Every so often I force myself to do a barre session which is 10 mins
By minute 3 I'm swearing at the screen Grin I've never known anything burn like that

mrsmamoa · 28/09/2023 13:30

MrsCr0cus · 28/09/2023 08:29

Thanks, all. I hope this isn't a drip feed but I happened to see another thread yesterday about being able to stand from sitting on the floor without using your hands as an indicator of longevity, and having tried and failed I am now thinking I need to be stronger and more flexible! Which is in part what got me thinking about yoga.

Cue everyone trying 😂😆🤣 I just did but rolled forward slightly to push upwards from the floor with my knee 🤔 no hands involved so does this count?

eurochick · 28/09/2023 13:30

I do it mainly for flexibility. I run for cardio and sit at a desk all day for work. Both are terrible for shortening muscles. I feel yoga balances those out.

I just do it at home though. I started with Adrienne and now mostly do Kassandra and Five Parks. All on YouTube. I tend to do 20-30 mins in my pjs before I have my morning shower if I am not running that day.

I don't do it for toning but I think it has helped my core a bit, and lots of planks and inversions are good for toning arms.

KeepSmiling89 · 28/09/2023 13:33

Hi OP

I used to feel the same about yoga - what's the point if I'm not going to get a decent calorie burn!
I started doing body balance this year and I LOVE it - I go to a class every Monday night and sometimes a Thursday night as well. I still get a decent calorie burn for what I'm doing and I'm actually amazed at what my body is capable of with some of the moves and positions.

I broke my back in a car accident last year and it's helped SO much in my recovery as well.

EmmaStone · 28/09/2023 13:39

I think you need to find the right teacher for you. Mine is super experienced, but doesn't do much of the spiritual stuff, she definitely gets a sweat out of us! She's also a Les Mills trainer, so I think 'gets' that most of her class wants a workout, as well as the stretch out. She often adds things in that help your body in general - balance, stenghtening wrists in case of falls, and yes, getting off the floor without using your hands!

Having said all that, I always do Adriene's 30 days of yoga free session in January, and am always amazed at the difference in my flexibility (and should keep it going daily, but...life).