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Yoga - The Beginning
- Thread starter Totally Judy
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2000
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- 4,347
Thanks. I was beginning to become concerned that maybe I had made a poor decision - a gray towel might have been a better choice.
I will do the very best I can. And if I'm not having fun in the first 5 minutes - I quit!
1066vik
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2009
- Messages
- 21,340
don't be discouraged if you can't do all the poses right from the get-go.
if you get too tired to hold a pose for the full length of time, take a "rest pose" for a bit and work your way up to the entire workout over the course of a month.
get a copy of "yoga for dummies" - it will help with the practicing at home.
good luck!
if you get too tired to hold a pose for the full length of time, take a "rest pose" for a bit and work your way up to the entire workout over the course of a month.
get a copy of "yoga for dummies" - it will help with the practicing at home.
good luck!
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2000
- Messages
- 4,347
Last night was my first class. First thing I realized - I need to get me more appropriate yoga attire. I wore what I found at home - sweats and a t-shirt. I was not comfortable at all. The sweats were too baggy, and the double t-shirts too awkward.
Overall, I did really well considering I haven't been to a yoga class in 4 years, and that was just a couple of intro classes to get me started.
BREATHING - one of the hardest parts. I think I probably breathe through my mouth a lot, because I was not getting my diaphram full of air through my nostrils. My inhales and exhales sucked. Inhale going up - exhale going down. Hey - I need to do more exhales and inhales before the going down part. I don't think I'm supposed to hold my breath that long - but I could be wrong. I'll ask my instructor when I see him Thursday for a haircut.
I do good on touching the floor when bending down - palms down not a problem, reaching my feet not a problem even when sitting. I'm fine on the triangle.
But whatever those poses are when you are balancing on ONE leg, with the other leg up and the opposite arm up - I would have been a great source for "cow tipping."
One of the things we were doing was the "boat." Okay, I get it. Grab your knees and roll backwards and forwards. Except when I rolled backwards, my back hit the floor and I was stuck! There was no rolling forward. I started laughing so hard and I said, "Why it it is I am "round" I can't roll back and forth?" I couldn't stop laughing and everyone else in the class was laughing too! I kicked ass on the rolling side to side. Whew.
And then we got to the part where you are on your back and you are supposed to bring your knees as close to your chest as possible, and after holding that position, you're suppose to raise your legs and then support your back with your legs straight up in the air. Well, when I was holding my knees to my chest (with the assistance of my strap), I had to yell out, "Help! My boobs are smothering me!" because they had rolled towards my face (duh, gravity does that.)
Overall, I did pretty good for an out-of-shape person. I did as much as I was able to do for each exercise without falling over. I am sore today - but only in my back area. Nothing that I can't live with. My legs aren't sore because I have always remained flexible and can bend down and my hands can go flat on the floor with no pain - so I have that going in my favor.
I'll be back there next Monday night. I am going to go online and order some yoga-type clothing that will make my attempts at the yoga positions a little easier and I'll be more comfortable without the looser clothing.
But dang, that breathing part is hard. Is there a "Breathing for Dummies" book?
Thanks for all of the suggestions and encouragement! I remembered about the breathing and I don't know if I was "cheating" or not, but I refused to hold my breath and I was inhaling and exhaling as much as I could instead of holding my breath.
It's a good thing my instructor said at the start of the class that yoga should be fun and laughter was good, because I really busted up laughing those two times!!
Off to online shop for yoga clothes!!
TJ
Overall, I did really well considering I haven't been to a yoga class in 4 years, and that was just a couple of intro classes to get me started.
BREATHING - one of the hardest parts. I think I probably breathe through my mouth a lot, because I was not getting my diaphram full of air through my nostrils. My inhales and exhales sucked. Inhale going up - exhale going down. Hey - I need to do more exhales and inhales before the going down part. I don't think I'm supposed to hold my breath that long - but I could be wrong. I'll ask my instructor when I see him Thursday for a haircut.
I do good on touching the floor when bending down - palms down not a problem, reaching my feet not a problem even when sitting. I'm fine on the triangle.
But whatever those poses are when you are balancing on ONE leg, with the other leg up and the opposite arm up - I would have been a great source for "cow tipping."
One of the things we were doing was the "boat." Okay, I get it. Grab your knees and roll backwards and forwards. Except when I rolled backwards, my back hit the floor and I was stuck! There was no rolling forward. I started laughing so hard and I said, "Why it it is I am "round" I can't roll back and forth?" I couldn't stop laughing and everyone else in the class was laughing too! I kicked ass on the rolling side to side. Whew.
And then we got to the part where you are on your back and you are supposed to bring your knees as close to your chest as possible, and after holding that position, you're suppose to raise your legs and then support your back with your legs straight up in the air. Well, when I was holding my knees to my chest (with the assistance of my strap), I had to yell out, "Help! My boobs are smothering me!" because they had rolled towards my face (duh, gravity does that.)
Overall, I did pretty good for an out-of-shape person. I did as much as I was able to do for each exercise without falling over. I am sore today - but only in my back area. Nothing that I can't live with. My legs aren't sore because I have always remained flexible and can bend down and my hands can go flat on the floor with no pain - so I have that going in my favor.
I'll be back there next Monday night. I am going to go online and order some yoga-type clothing that will make my attempts at the yoga positions a little easier and I'll be more comfortable without the looser clothing.
But dang, that breathing part is hard. Is there a "Breathing for Dummies" book?
Thanks for all of the suggestions and encouragement! I remembered about the breathing and I don't know if I was "cheating" or not, but I refused to hold my breath and I was inhaling and exhaling as much as I could instead of holding my breath.
It's a good thing my instructor said at the start of the class that yoga should be fun and laughter was good, because I really busted up laughing those two times!!
Off to online shop for yoga clothes!!
TJ
But dang, that breathing part is hard. Is there a "Breathing for Dummies" book?
TJ
Yep. Keep at it, don't "cheat" or take short cuts. You'll eventually reap the benefits later on.
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2000
- Messages
- 4,347
I am going to stick with it. I don't "cheat" but with the poses I can't yet do completely, I modify my pose to accommodate my limitations. Anything that I can do is more than I was doing before, and because of that, I am successful because I show up and do the best I can.
And I keep it fun because I laugh at myself when I can't do something like a shoulder stand. "You want me to do WHAT?"
Yeah, sure... in your dreams I can do that. Where is the crane to lift my leg and fat ass above the floor?
My friend who agreed to go with me was telling her husband about my boobs smothering me during one pose, and he has offered to come and be a "spotter" for me to hold them out of the way! What a nice guy.
I saw my instructor on Wednesday and he said, "Are you coming back on Monday?" I think he thought I might have been discouraged because I couldn't do every pose in total. But I reassured him that I would be there because it was good for me, and I'll just do the best I can.
My instructor told me that the clothes I had worn to class were perfect because they were loose and comfy, so I will continue to wear them.
He said that he will now remind the class to "continue breathing" when holding a pose.
There is only one person in the class who is really yoga proficient and can do all of the poses. But I'm not intimidated by her - I'm happy for her. The rest of us were all just following along the best we could.
I kept reminding myself, "Breathe" and "No pain."
I'll be happy if I just show up for class every week. That is progress in itself. Anything is better than doing nothing, and I am pleased with myself because I am able to do many of the poses. Not most, but many. I've nailed the "downward dog" and was surprised when my instructor told me that he has people who can't do that pose. And the fact that I can bend and touch the ground with palms flat and fingers spread tells me that the stretching I have always done at home has benefited me.
I'll never be a yoga queen, but I'll be in better shape each week I go to class. And that makes me a winner!
And I keep it fun because I laugh at myself when I can't do something like a shoulder stand. "You want me to do WHAT?"
Yeah, sure... in your dreams I can do that. Where is the crane to lift my leg and fat ass above the floor? My friend who agreed to go with me was telling her husband about my boobs smothering me during one pose, and he has offered to come and be a "spotter" for me to hold them out of the way! What a nice guy.
I saw my instructor on Wednesday and he said, "Are you coming back on Monday?" I think he thought I might have been discouraged because I couldn't do every pose in total. But I reassured him that I would be there because it was good for me, and I'll just do the best I can.
My instructor told me that the clothes I had worn to class were perfect because they were loose and comfy, so I will continue to wear them.
He said that he will now remind the class to "continue breathing" when holding a pose.
There is only one person in the class who is really yoga proficient and can do all of the poses. But I'm not intimidated by her - I'm happy for her. The rest of us were all just following along the best we could.
I kept reminding myself, "Breathe" and "No pain."
I'll be happy if I just show up for class every week. That is progress in itself. Anything is better than doing nothing, and I am pleased with myself because I am able to do many of the poses. Not most, but many. I've nailed the "downward dog" and was surprised when my instructor told me that he has people who can't do that pose. And the fact that I can bend and touch the ground with palms flat and fingers spread tells me that the stretching I have always done at home has benefited me.
I'll never be a yoga queen, but I'll be in better shape each week I go to class. And that makes me a winner!
AKC
Really? Must I? OK...
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2010
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- 9,653
I'll never be a yoga queen, but I'll be in better shape each week I go to class. And that makes me a winner!
And that right there is why you will succeed. Positive thoughts for you from the Pleasant Valley.
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2009
- Messages
- 1,201
Good job, Judy! Keep at it.
One of the most surprising and remarkable things about practicing yoga is how it can change your mood. There's something about the breathing and patience and deliberateness of it that can really mellow me out and give me a light hearted feeling for days.
Don't know what it is, but it works.
One of the most surprising and remarkable things about practicing yoga is how it can change your mood. There's something about the breathing and patience and deliberateness of it that can really mellow me out and give me a light hearted feeling for days.
Don't know what it is, but it works.
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2006
- Messages
- 16,703
I fearlessly predict that you will be a 'hit' at yoga.
It's all in the attitude.
It's all in the attitude.
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2000
- Messages
- 4,347
Another class tonight. Halfway through I was ready to just stop and lay down on my mat and call it a night.
Yeah, I had an attitude alright! An attitude of "why are my muscles shaking while I'm doing the easy "downward dog?" I LOVE downward dog. Class kicked my butt tonight.
I did not quit. I kept with it. But I only did as much as I could do of whatever we were doing. And I just laughed at myself as I was DYING. DYING, I say!
But I'll tell you one thing - I was BREATHING. Yup. I worked hard on my breathing.
sigh. I'm trying to not get discouraged. I'm going next Monday.
I guess this is a "One Monday at a Time" kinda thing, huh?
Yeah, I had an attitude alright! An attitude of "why are my muscles shaking while I'm doing the easy "downward dog?" I LOVE downward dog. Class kicked my butt tonight.
I did not quit. I kept with it. But I only did as much as I could do of whatever we were doing. And I just laughed at myself as I was DYING. DYING, I say!
But I'll tell you one thing - I was BREATHING. Yup. I worked hard on my breathing.
sigh. I'm trying to not get discouraged. I'm going next Monday.
I guess this is a "One Monday at a Time" kinda thing, huh?
I did not quit. I kept with it. But I only did as much as I could do of whatever we were doing. And I just laughed at myself as I was DYING. DYING, I say!
But I'll tell you one thing - I was BREATHING. Yup. I worked hard on my breathing.
sigh. I'm trying to not get discouraged. I'm going next Monday.
I guess this is a "One Monday at a Time" kinda thing, huh?
:thumbup:
Did you know that the Chinese word kung fu literally means "skill" (NOT just martial arts but ANY kind, from dancing to "macaroni art" building).
Specifically: skill that is arrived at only with the three elements of time, patience and diligence.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2000
- Messages
- 4,347
Well, then... MY yoga is gonna be the KUNG FU kind!!
But I ain't gonna have no Kung Fu for a LONG time...
