Yoga… have you found it beneficial? If so how?

[LazyMdjal]

I’m trying to get back into some form of exercise. I’m very weak.

Is it ok to go daily? Is there benefit to that? I feel really down and fed up and want to get back out there and have no friends round here to go with. It’s made it all feel daunting!

It is the difference between misery and happiness for me

Huge benefit to going regularly but even once per week you will notice a difference mentally and physically.

What sort of place or set up is it? Some yoga studios can be a bit much, but yoga is intended to be inclusive and non judgmental, and most teachers are very good at making it clear you can do as much or little as you want.

I think it's better than a lot of classes for going alone as its generally a silent practice and not much chatter in the room. And it attracts people who like yoga (see above)

It makes a huge difference to me too. It's time away from work, families, relationships - it truly is time just for me, and it's hugely beneficial.

I go to classes - alone - I don't go with anyone. But I agree that it's very non-judgmental and friendly, and the studio I go to is like a community, really lovely.

I do go out to a studio because I don't get the benefits if I just do it at home (for me it is an escape), and although I do sometimes go every day, generally I go 4/5 times a week.

The physical benefits are also pretty good - flexibility, strength, toning. I love it.

It's been a massive boost to my life psychologically and physically. A year after I started, I had to be measured for something and learned that I was 1.5" taller (I work a desk job so basically before yoga, I already had a permanent slouch in my late 20s).

I wouldn't bother going with a friend, just go on your own, otherwise it might be difficult to let go of your awareness/everyday life when you're getting in the zone.

I was really weak too, but it's the kind of exercise that requires very little effort and gradually builds your strength up. You don't feel like you're exercising so for me, I look forward to going rather than dread, like I did with stuff like spin classes.

Yes. I've been doing a regular weekly class since about 6 years or do ago, and I noticed the difference on weeks I couldn't make it. But since March, I've also been doing daily online classes, and I am definitely more flexible and toned and lighter from that - down to about size 16 from 22. I can hold balance poses for longer, I no longer want to cry in pigeon, all sorts of things. I still have too much stomach and thigh to do lots of binds, but I'm getting closer. I am also doing aquafit and swimming once a week, so a bit of aerobic exercise too.

There are loads of different styles and classes, and not all will suit you - it's okay to try another class if you don't "click" with a particular style or teacher.

I love yoga. You don't need to do it with friends - in fact, it is better that you don't go with friends as it is important to be tuned into yourself rather than those around you. I love Yoga as it is non-competitive and there is comparing to others either. Since going to Yoga, I am so much more flexible, stronger and happier. I no longer have back or shoulder stiffness and don't suffer from aches or pains.

What is important is to find a good yoga teacher and a class level that suits your ability. Do try lots of teachers/classes as they vary a lot. There are some yoga classes that are challenging and can make you sweat buckets, whereas other classes are so gentle and relaxing.

I am also so much happier directly after doing yoga but also cumulatively when I'm doing regularly. I never really do with friends, it's not really that kind of activity.

Go and give it a few goes - once you get used to it you won't look back!

Bloody love it - but mostly do it via DVDs and online. I can currently only do very limited exercise in terms of heart rate, and cannot do inverted postures, but yoga is keeping me sane - there's a YouTube 'no inversions' playlist that I use. But my favourtie Yoga tutor will probably always be Adrienne Mishler on YouTube - Yoga With Adrienne, she's brilliant and so lovely.

Yoga also released the grief that I had when my father died - I'd been unable to grieve because of having to organise everything, and then - well life goes on. Then one day I got into plough position and it somehow released everything I'd bottled up - all the pain and tears - I was sobbing and gulping! Very glad I was at home!

It's fantastic for joints and suppleness too. Before my enforced 'no exercise', I'd been focussing a lot more on weights and HIT - I really noticed how I'd stiffened up, but 2 weeks in I'm definitely getting back to my previous ranges.

I def recommend it - and as someone said, classes aren't competitive

I do 20-30 mins (online videos) every day, started during the lockdown last winter. It’s made a huge difference to me - firstly it’s kept me sane during these crazy times, and secondly I have dropped weight and toned up. I can plank for ages now! I can do hip dips! I have abs! I never thought I would be one of Those People. Yet here I am.

Piggy backing on this - where are the best classes online?

There are loads of different styles and classes, and not all will suit you - it's okay to try another class if you don't "click" with a particular style or teacher.
This! In person classes are always best if possible (although I suspect we may be forced back online again soon).
As my name suggests, I found it so life changing I trained and became a teacher.
It's transformative for physical and mental health. Enjoy it OP

I do hot yoga 6 times a week. It’s been the single thing that benefited me mentally and physically. I love it. It’s a wonderful feeling to see the incremental changes when I’m able to tackle poses I thought my body wasn’t capable of. The heat is punishing but it makes me push my body more. I’ve never been fitter or stronger (I’m 44) and the sweat leaves my skin soft and glowing. The downside is that I crave it when I miss classes - it’s quite addictive, and I’ve heard others in my studio say the same. The other benefit is doing it with a group of people of different ages and fitness levels, and also more men; such lovely energy in my studio. I’m definitely calmer and I think it helps to release stuck energy/emotions.

I w should also add that it’s the only thing that has given me confidence in how my body looks. I’m rather flat chested and skinny and always tries to hide that but now I realise (after so long) I like/accept how my body looks. For the first time ever, I wear leggings when out.

Learn a short routine and do it in the evening while watching TV, then you don't need to go to a special class for it! :)

I love yoga. I’ve done it for ages including two post baby recoveries ie starting when very weak.

Is there a benefit to doing it every day? Probably not every day. I think it’s good for the body to have rest days from any form of exercise. These days I couldnt manage either the time or the money for daily classes anyway! But even once or twice a week benefits me. I’d go 4-5 times ideally.

These are the benefits for me:

More physical and emotional awareness - I realise when I am tense and I can correct it whereas before I would be like "Oh no! Another headache! Why?"

Better balance - I had balance issues after a bout of laberynthitis years ago and yoga has got me back to normal

My plantar fasciitis pain has disappeared and my lower back pain only comes back if I don't do yoga for a few days

A general sense of peace and wellbeing. I think this comes from making time for yourself and for looking after your body and mind; and from the nature of yoga which drives you into meditative states.

I take classes in yin yoga, I am quite an anxious person and it's really helped me to become more aware of things like breathing and how to relax my mind. Pre Covid I attended them in person but now I just do classes online.

Another recommendation for Yoga with Adriene on YouTube from me. I've recently started one of her 30 day programmes and it has honestly made such a difference to my strength, flexibility, general aches and pains and stress levels in just a few weeks. I love being able to do it at home and she has so many videos for particular circumstances whether physical or emotional eg yoga for hamstrings, yoga for grief. You get the idea. Go for it!

I ❤️Yoga with Adrienne she really is nourishment for the mind, body and soul.

I've stopped doing it but when i was doing it almost daily I was more flexible and oddly, found I could think more clearly, work through work issues more easily and didn't have any muscle soreness.

This thread has inspired me to start again. Thank you for posting it.

Wow thank you SO much for the replies!! Nice to feel happy about something in this rather miserable world at the moment!

Yes, it's made the biggest difference mentally and physically. I practice regularly - if I don't (and particularly when the studio was closed) I get really anxious and can't handle the daily stresses quite as well. I mix it up with Pilates, but only because I find the strength conditioning in Pilates helps progress my yoga practice.

I started yoga because it's shown to be as effective as medication for PTSD and it's really helped. My breathing on and off the mat is completely different. I mostly do it at home by myself. Improving my core strength has also given me a sense of strength within myself, I feel stronger. I hold myself differently too.

I've found it incredibly beneficial. It has strengthened me. But it has also massively improved my 'mind's eye' attention to my body as it moves into and out of positions, or holds a posture. That gives a kind of body knowledge that can help you to work out what you need to do for your own body to make it comfortable and at ease in daily life.

And of course the mental benefits are good. I can't do pure mindfulness, just can't get anywhere with it. But mindful movement I can manage. By attending to your body you can damp down all the endless preocupations that tend to fill your head the rest of the time.

And, as others have said, it is very non judgemental. It isn't about achieving certain shapes. Its about attending compassionately to your own body while you move, so that you can do what is right for you, rather than manage to copy what someone else in the class is doing.

As for frequency, there would be nothing wrong with going every day, but it might be too strong a target. Once or twice a week brings great benefits and is more sustainable.

Having said that, though, during the first lockdown I did manage to get into a routine of doing the same 12-minute routine at home most days, and that was very good for me I think. Just don't bash yourself with targets.

I love yoga, I go to classes 2 or 3 times a week. I've been going for about 3 yrs now and can see my muscles are longer and leaner, I have fantastic triceps from downward dogs.
I prefer vinyasa and hatha style, they are quite energetic but wind down at the end of class to mediation. I hate it when I miss it.

Sorry to jump on your thread OP, but does anyone have recommendations for yoga online which isn't too heavy on the mindfullness aspect? I really struggle with switching my brain off and find a lot of online stuff too focused on ocean noises and deep breathing... 🙃