Does yoga make you a nicer person?

[Ohdeariemenotgood]

Just feeling a bit grumpy, menopausal(on HRT), grumpy and intolerant these days. I’d love to refind my less grumpy younger self. I do a lot of exercise, weights/ running etc… but feel quite inflexible heavy and slow. But mainly grumpy and intolerant! Even Adrienne annoys me 😆 .I have done yoga in the past.

Any advice?! Thanks 🙏 🧘

It may do as you need to slow down and focus so may feel differently afterwards

Vitamin B complex helps with the grumpiness.

Following 😁 as could have written this. I’m so grumpy that I can’t motivate myself to exercise and it becomes a vicious circle.

To be fair she is quite annoying.

I’ve started yoga in the last 6 weeks, age 55 so beyond all the peri crap thank god, I do feel better for it and more flexible. I haven’t quite got my head around the breathing and I’m not very good at it. I prefer the slower classes, there’s a couple run by men that are quite fast flowing. Whereas the ladies seem to be more technical and slower.

I’ve been doing yoga for about 5 years and am 53. I find it great for strength, flexibility and mindfulness. I’m not sure I’m a nicer person because of it but I always feel better after it.

Yoga isn’t for me but I did enjoy an online mobility programme during lockdown. Helped loads with the weight lifting etc!

No. I’ve realised yoga isn’t for me as I get bored. Swimming makes me a nicer person.

I don't think it has made me a nicer person but it has helped to keep me sane over very difficult times and helps me to switch off and have peace of mind. Plus all the physical benefits - flexibility, strength, balance. Not saying "Oof" when I get up and sit down. So, nicer, I think is the wrong word. A better version of me I would say. It hasn't changed fundamentally who I am but it has helped with self acceptance and to know that I am enough.

It is so much more than just exercise though. I also do weights and cardio but yoga is the one I miss most if I skip it.

The yoga class at my gym defo does not make me nicer, quite the opposite.

I have very bad thoughts about one particular territorial pair, the instructor is simpering and annoying and inversions put me in a bad mood.

It does however, make me long and strong and I actually enjoy much more, doing a flow at home.

Mmm my ex so called friend does yoga and she is still a complete nasty piece of work, so dunno. I like weights and running. I think that Adrienne woman is annoying too.

I think that if it is genuinely taught as yoga (rather than just as a workout with yoga moves) it does help to cultivate mindfulness and compassion. It can help me feel a bit stiller, more grounded, calmer, which makes it a little bit easier to be my better self that day.

But, but, but. It only helps a bit. It isn't transformative.

You’re being lighthearted but obviously your grumpiness needs a holistic solution. Yoga will help you slow down and make space for yourself, the next step would be meditation where you learn to accept your grumpy feelings, then understanding what your grumpiness is telling you, what do you need that you’re not getting? You sound really active which is great so what about your mental health? And your diet? And your life? Is it stressful and hard to manage? Yoga can’t solve that.

Yoga makes you happier to the point of smugness as you can move around far better than others your age.

Also calming, I imagine something to do with getting oxygen to the frontal cortex (thinking brain) and quieting the amygdala (raging brain).

Whether it makes you nicer is another question.

Doing yoga as and when you like, at home, which you can do after some good basic lessons in breathing, posture etc, is infinitely better than weekly classes in sweaty gym or church hall floor. Lots of yoga routines in internet, just pick ones suitable for you.

To be fair, I’m always a nicer person after a long swim, best place to clear your head.

I do Yoga with Adrienne and to be fair, she can be very annoying 😊

'then understanding what your grumpiness is telling you, what do you need that you’re not getting?'

I think this is a great question. What is the 'grumpiness' telling you? Use the feelings as information about what's going on for you at a deeper level. Rather than trying to suppress the grumpiness or make it go away, get curious about it. Highly recommend psychotherapy - having professional support as you do the hefty work of understanding yourself is invaluable

My cat tried to attack Adriennes cat when it appeared on screen 😄

She has a dog called Benji.

I would disagree. I actually love Adrienne and there is a lot of good stuff online but nothing beats learning it from a very good yoga teacher. I tried several before I found a really good one, and it was only then that I really got the bug. Also as a beginner you could really do with learning it in person. Though yes, having your own practice at home is ideal too when you know what you are doing a bit.

Agree with all of this. But it’s a lifetime of incremental progress, not a quick fix.

Yes. I have been doing it seven years+ and there is definite progress - the mental rather than physical came quicker though. What I would say is that it is nice to have something you can get better at in your 40s+.

She does have a dog, but she also has a cat. :)

I find Yoga with Tim very calming if I’m angry. He’s a super chilled California guy, speaks slowly, quite often practices with a beach or mountain backdrop, and he fluffs his lines every now and then and laughs at himself. He’s also easy on the eye.

Practising yoga quietly (or maybe loudly with Wetleg blaring) at home feels restorative. And obviously fighting stiffness and aches and pains improves my general well being. And I may actually be in love with my new sunshine yellow Liforme mat …

But I cannot stand online instruction - someone wittering in their faux wholesome/spiritual voice makes me want to throw my device across the room.

And a class? Full of other people? Ha! I would be actually murderous with three minutes.

If you can get into all the spiritual, mindfulness stuff, then I suppose it could. For me, the very word 'mindful' gives me the rage.

I did a LOT of online yoga during lockdown with an excellent teacher who could go down the mindful route a bit occasionally, but mostly didn't. He would often finish the classes with something like 'Right, I'm off to have some sausages and a couple of cans of lager for my tea.' rather than some wanky spiritual thing. He is very good at explaining the physicality of poses and how to do them to the limitations of your own body. I did go to some of his in person classes after lockdown but I just get ultra competitive.

I'd probably look at adjusting your HRT to address the rage.