How has yoga changed your body? (Life?)

[CoteDAzur]

I have no more knee pain

My back has straightened & the stooped shoulders have disappeared.

Arms are toned and muscles have appeared

I thought not being able to run anymore meant that I would go round and weak, but yoga picked up the pieces

Good idea. That would work for Apple TV, too.

I really feel the yoga difference in my back. I had a really strong back pre-kids when I was doing regular exercise (including yoga) and didn't have any back ache until DC3 came rather fast! But my back is back to normal after just a few months of yoga (plus swimming).

Mentally I love both swimming and yoga, both relax me but yoga really spaces me out in a way I assume normally only happens with drugs. it's bliss. I only go to a class once a week so very jealous of those of you with nearby yoga studios with a choice of classes to try.

It's funny how certain solo exercises become so addictive, everyone I know who is really into running seems to be addicted, I think swimming or cycling or yoga can be the same. I don't know anyone who is 'addicted' to doing a team sport though.

I never thought of it that way, but you are right. Team sports don't seem to be that addictive. Yoga definitely is, and running also was for me - I was devastated when I realised, slowly and painfully, that the injuries that kept coming up in various joints meant that I really needed to stop running. You get a real high from running - all those endorphins flood your brain and you breathe/live differently for the rest of the day.

My Mum was another one who did yoga in the 70s (she had a very attractive green leotard and tights as far as I can recall) and I remember poring over her Richard Hittleman book when I was a child and a teenager.

I did a few gym based yoga classes at various points in my 20s and never really enjoyed it that much, I was pretty half-hearted about it and never seemed to improve at all.

I then did a bit of pregnancy yoga before each of my 3 DC. The last place I did it prior to DC3 was a fairly new, very local yoga studio, which mainly does Ashtanga. About 3 months after I had DC3 I did my first (beginner's) ashtanga class and I loved it! I loved the studio, I loved the sweat and because I was still fairly flexible after pregnancy, I really saw improvements going twice a week.

Physically, I'm more flexible, stronger and starting to lose weight (although I do need to watch what I eat as well). Mentally I feel far more balanced and I really value my time there as time for me.

I've been through a bit of a journey this year and am coming back to yoga.

I have had some awful stuff going on with my muscles - a mix up with thyroid meds and other things, anaemia, a baby - led to awful muscle loss proximal muscle weakness and a dx of hypermobiliry syndrome.

Now - I am very flexible and can dislocate toes and jaw, and touch anywhere on my back. I couldn't really put hands flat in floor till after pregnancy but now can. I've been unbelievably weak (couldn't brush teeth at one point) but slowly with right blood levels I'm recovering.

However - everyone had been telling me to do Pilates. Or rather, I HAVE to do Pilates. So I have - and some of it has really taught me some core stuff and proprioceptice stuff, but to actually build strength and stamina more quickly I'm finding the yoga is doing more. I've strict instructions from my physio about back bends and after constantly being reminded not to lock my elbows out at Pilates am now so mindful of them (I do notice elbows a lot now) so I'm finding they compliment each other.

But it's Forrest yoga so very focused on core and strength. And is good for my lower back which is my main weak point. I find I have to do downward dog to keep hamstrings in check, and on the wall also really strengthens my very weak wrists. And dolphin for shoulders too.

The biggest benefit I think though to regular yoga classes is that when ever my thyroid levels have been off I really notice it in my ability to hold positions, and also it's a good barometer to track getting better.

I'll be keeping the Pilates going for my back and I certainly can't do half the moves, I'm not strong enough yet, so I'll know I'm getting really well when I can. I have to keep the yoga a secret fromy Pilates teacher who is very anti yoga!

What I can't yet fathom is why in Pilates it's slightly bent legs and yet they want straight legs in yoga.