Yoga

[WriterDom]

Some guy told me to go to a yoga center and not to the gym. That those people at the gym can hurt you. Well, I don't have that option. This guy seems to know what he is talking about and has an incredible body.

 

[Netzach]

Depends on the people at the gym. Some yoga people are really really into the philosophy of it, and scoff at the idea that anyone would do it to change how they *look* at all. Ask your instructor about their instruction and credentials - you'd want them to be doing yoga for some duration, obviously. My hunch is they're fine at the gym and the dude from the center is very knowledgeable but a little snobby. If you like the introduction you can always go somewhere else for more.

People get hurt when they do things they're not actually ready to do. Every yoga instructor I've ever had shows at least one modification and teaches you a modification if you are struggling. And the mods DO eventually lead to the more challenging pose in some cases, in others, no. I will probably never get to full lotus, but I definitely got to side plank and off my knees. Do NOT allow your ego in the door, pay attention to your body and you won't get hurt.

People would ask if I bottom. I would tell them I yoga. It's really a humbling experience.

And it's one of those class things, really. You won't be worried about who's looking at you and you won't be in any shape to be looking at anyone else when you are trying to align right in warrior 2.

Done religiously, this will give you that "incredible body." Especially ashtanga, or vinyasa flow, which are the more aerobic versions.

 

[rosco rathbone]

I wouldn't worry too much about getting hurt. You know your body, don't overdo it.

In my experience, a yoga center will give you a better experience but a gym is nothing to scoff at.

 

[Netzach]

I wouldn't worry too much about getting hurt. You know your body, don't overdo it.

In my experience, a yoga center will give you a better experience but a gym is nothing to scoff at.

Yes, totally. And I would also add, in, take the modifications, use the foam blocks, go slowly, and don't worry about being the guy who has to take a break for a second if that's what you need.

I found that this is very much also a "what my body is like today" kind of thing, too - you actually do get in touch with your strong days versus tired days very well.

 

[rosco rathbone]

Yes, totally. And I would also add, in, take the modifications, use the foam blocks, go slowly, and don't worry about being the guy who has to take a break for a second if that's what you need.

I found that this is very much also a "what my body is like today" kind of thing, too - you actually do get in touch with your strong days versus tired days very well.

I was always very competitive about yoga til I got to hot yoga. That humbled me totally.

Then I realised the point I made above: the whole reason for doing yoga is that it makes you feel great. The beginner doing basic moves feels great afterwards; the expert doing crazy shit has to push themselves that much further-in order to get the same good feeling- because they are so limber and fluid that they can't get the payoff without going to extremes.

 

[WriterDom]

Depends on the people at the gym. Some yoga people are really really into the philosophy of it, and scoff at the idea that anyone would do it to change how they *look* at all. Ask your instructor about their instruction and credentials - you'd want them to be doing yoga for some duration, obviously. My hunch is they're fine at the gym and the dude from the center is very knowledgeable but a little snobby. If you like the introduction you can always go somewhere else for more.

People get hurt when they do things they're not actually ready to do. Every yoga instructor I've ever had shows at least one modification and teaches you a modification if you are struggling. And the mods DO eventually lead to the more challenging pose in some cases, in others, no. I will probably never get to full lotus, but I definitely got to side plank and off my knees. Do NOT allow your ego in the door, pay attention to your body and you won't get hurt.

People would ask if I bottom. I would tell them I yoga. It's really a humbling experience.

And it's one of those class things, really. You won't be worried about who's looking at you and you won't be in any shape to be looking at anyone else when you are trying to align right in warrior 2.

Done religiously, this will give you that "incredible body." Especially ashtanga, or vinyasa flow, which are the more aerobic versions.

Not sure what it is. The guy wasn't there today. But they call it Yoga for weight loss.

 

[Netzach]

Not sure what it is. The guy wasn't there today. But they call it Yoga for weight loss.

It's probably based on those, if you find that you move from pose to pose with fluid motion rather than just holding a pose then another, that's it.

 

[Eilan]

Some guy told me to go to a yoga center and not to the gym. That those people at the gym can hurt you. Well, I don't have that option. This guy seems to know what he is talking about and has an incredible body.

There's no governing body per se for yoga instructors, but schools/teachers registered with Yoga Alliance are held to certain standards.

My gym doesn't offer yoga classes, but if it did my studio instructor would probably teach them because there aren't a ton of yoga instructors in rural southern Ohio. In fact, before she quit her day job and opened her studio, she taught in the banquet/community room of a local hospital and in the art room at my daughters' elementary school.

And I would also add, in, take the modifications, use the foam blocks, go slowly, and don't worry about being the guy who has to take a break for a second if that's what you need.

This was the toughest lesson for me to learn when I started doing yoga. I'm a competitive perfectionist. Because I'm also naturally very flexible, I started out as a bit of a prop snob, thinking that I didn't need no stinkin' blocks, straps, or blankets, and that I'd somehow be a yoga failure if I did use them. I've definitely seen the error of my ways over the past couple of years.

 

[jadefirefly]

I'd pass out. If the guy at the gym is working today I'll talk to him about his class. He should be there. The manager doesn't work on the weekend.

Honestly, I thought I would too. I hate heat. I specifically moved away from the desert because I hated being in a hot environment.

I also hate exercise. I always thought those people who talked about a "running high" were just dizzy from a lack of breath.

My first time doing Bikram yoga, though, I walked out of there with a big-ass stupid grin on my face. Nothing has ever made me feel so good about my body as doing yoga; I'm not especially flexible, and I'm nowhere near the weight I'd like to be, but something about yoga lets me feel like I'm doing something -right-, that exercise doesn't have to hurt, and that it can be incredibly relaxing and encouraging too.

I've never felt like anyone in any yoga class was ever judging me based off my ability or body, which is a nice change, too. In any class you'll find people who're practically able to touch their noses to the backs of their knees, and you'll find people who can barely bend over and touch their knees, and everyone's doing exactly the same poses. It's really very inspiring in that way.

I hope you find a class you like!

 

[WriterDom]

I'm a little worried that I'll be the only guy in the class. Not really a bad thing I guess.