Yoga for mature women

[Augustus40]

Hi there. I haven't done yoga for nearly two years and am 60. I just started doing Adriene for beginners on you tube that is 20 minute in length.

I am not very active as such and was wondering if anybody is in the same boat at roughly my age?

I used to do a fair bit of yoga when younger so broadly know the main poses.

Hi me too, although I haven't actually started with the yoga you-tube sessions yet, but that's the plan! Also, I'd say I'm more a re-starting beginner rather than a lapsed pro!
Any support or guidance/tips would be helpful.

Hi and welcome. It is really hard to sit cross legged now so I am pleased I started again before my body packs up altogether! I had to adapt the pose somewhat.

Scary how easy it is to disintegrate!

I plan to do the short session again tomorrow. Hope you start again soon.

Hi, I am in my 60s and practice yoga regularly.

There is absolutely room for improvement at any age- I am progressing further in many poses.
I have done some yoga/body balance over the years but my practice became more regular during covid lockdown and has been daily since then.
I feel fitter now than I was in my 20s/30s.
I attend 6 yoga classes a week, four general and two intermediate.

Yoga at home can be great, but many find it hard to self motivate.

Attending classes can be helpful, I enjoy working in a group, and a general or beginners class will have a mixture of abilities, those who are new to the practice, those who are returning, and most classes have a lovely accepting energy.

Try Yoga with Kassandra, I think she's so much better than Adrienne

Yes I prefer Kassandra to Adrienne.
I started yoga in my late 40s first online then in person classes.
Yoga lets you progress at your own pace. I personally like to challenge myself and try the more difficult poses until I master them, but that is just me.
5 years later I am stronger than I've ever been in my life. I do classes 3 times a week mainly vinyassa, hatha or ashtanha.

*ashtanga

Is there any reason you can't join a class? I think you'd get more benefit. I'm in my 70s and the oldest in mine, been doing yoga on and off for 30 odd years. I did yoga on Zoom during pandemic but not the same imo.

I have done yoga in classes in my thirties. These days being as I remember the poses my yoga mat and you tube are fine plus free! I did yoga twice a week on a DVD a few years ago in my late fifties too at home which worked in fine. I only stopped owing to a left arm injury which a physio I see privately has now cured.

Yoga classes are helpful. Not only for motivation but for improving our practice, alignment, corrections etc

We can develop bad yoga habits and need someone to observe and point that out. We may think we are in alignment/horizontal but we are not. I do yoga videos at home sometimes, but I learn more in class. A good yoga teacher is invaluabe.

I'm 62 and I teach yoga. It's mainly people in their 60s and 70s who come to my classes.

I offer adaptations of the postures if needed - yoga isn't a sport and it's about acceptance, not perfection. And it's beneficial at any age.

Traditional yoga (which imo suits over-60s very well) is also breath-led with a wider scope than most of the free online classes I've seen.

If you can find a local hatha yoga teacher, especially someone of around your own vintage, it would be worth going to at least some classes to supplement your home practice.

I am not retired but work four days a week. If I were I would definitely go to one weekly class.

I've been away for 2 years as well, but pretty bendy due to Buddhist meditation. I can't decide between Kassandra or Agnes (YouTube at akshayaagnes) who has yoga for 50+ ( lots of stretching) and then regular yoga, which then I could do.

I'm in my 50s and have dipped in and out of yoga over the years. I definitely need to get back to it, as I'm feeling unfit and less flexible in the last couple of years.

One thing I found last time I was doing yoga regularly was that doing a really short session almost every day seemed way more beneficial than doing a long class once a week. Although both would be even better if you have the time!

That's a great point, I'm going to do a short session then daily.
Thanks!

No worries! I was finding I just didn't want to drag myself out to a village hall and do a 90 minute class in the evening after work, especially as it was difficult timing-wise. Didn't want to eat dinner before, but it was a bit late to eat after! So I quit.If I go down to part-time or when I retire, I'll find a nice day-time class and do a little bit on a few other days a week.

I do love a class but find them prohibitively expensive,£10 a time minimum when You Tube is free. I’ve found when I do a class I don’t get the corrections and adjustments I hoped to by an in person yoga teacher so have decided I’ll save up and invest in a 1-1

Yogachick yoga classes can be expensive- there are a couple near me and charge £8-£10 a class.
Most local authorities have yoga classes in council run leisure centres, even in my ruralish location there is a programme of a dozen or so classes over the week, with a few different teachers- I pay £34 a month membership, and take 6 classes a week- works out at just over £1 a class.
Teachers do have different styles and will perhaps offer few corrections, general corrections, or physical/verbal instructions to specific students. You can speak to an instructor before or after a class and let them know of your needs. Most teachers in my experience are very helpful.

I've noticed that yoga classes can vary significantly in price, but there are certainly more budget-friendly options available if you search in the right places. I am fortunate to have access to yoga classes at my local leisure center, where I pay a monthly membership fee that averages just over £1 per class. The range of classes and instructors is excellent, and I've discovered that most teachers are very accommodating if you have specific needs or concerns. It's worthwhile to explore different options in your area to discover the ideal fit for your budget and preferences.

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