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Thread: Yoga question

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    Member Beaux's Avatar
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    Default Yoga question

    So I bought a couple yoga dvd's to kick-start my work out program. Since the neartest yoga-instructor is about an hour or more away from here - I'm going at it alone. (Except I make the SO watch the videos with me and help me pick out where I may not being doing things exactly like the girls on the videos.)

    Anyways, its a very basic beginner program - the only problem is I've done it two or three times [the last few nights] and I have yet to 'feel the burn' - my legs were a little sore - but just barely.

    Some background, its the 'CRUNCH' series intro/beginners Yoga - 2 approx. 15 minute work outs - am I not doing them right?

    I'm also doing squats/lunges on the side - and those KILL me, the yoga is just sorta.....eh. Should I try a more advanced programn? Am I not doing the poses right? (its only a few, like downward facing dog, plank, 4-legged table {I think?}, triangle, warrior...etc) - don't hold me to those names, I could be wrong.

    Anyways, sorry to ramble, been a long day and I've already put a few cold ones away.

    Thanks!

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    Featured Member krys's Avatar
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    Default Re: Yoga question

    Yoga works on a more subtle level, it is not a matter of feeling the burn.

    A real Yoga session should last alot longer then 15 mins anyway... would you lift weights for 15 mins and expect to see/feel results?

    Focus very carefully on your alignment, and placement of the limbs. Focus on your breathing and just be where you are....

    Can you get your heels on the ground in downward dog? Do you feel a lightness in the pose? Can you be in the pose without your mind wandering?..... The pose is more than just a pose.

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    Default Re: Yoga question

    Hmmm I was thinking of trying yoga too just to relax me and to get a good long stretch for my muscles.
    Great tips Krys
    you live like an ivy vine
    you can only survive by clinging onto trees
    that's your flaw
    put down some roots so you can stand on your own
    -Kenpachi



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    Featured Member krys's Avatar
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    Default Re: Yoga question

    If the only way you can do Yoga is through a tape... I recommend picking up a good book to accompany it. This with give you more indepth detail of the postures and of Yoga in general (what it is really about)

    "Yoga the Iyengar Way" by Silva and Shyam Mehta is one of my favourites. The pictures are good and the descriptions are very clear. "Light on Yoga" by B.K.S Iyengar
    is also great, its the yogis bible (well almost) it has every pose imaginable!

    There are a few more on my reading list: http://www.kristi-trinity.com/reading.html

    GIve it go Tigersmilk, you just might like it

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    God/dess whirlerz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Yoga question

    Glad this was brought up, have been thinkin' of yoga too. On public chanel (wttw.com) they are showing a "Yoga for the rest of us", i.e. a simple begiinner's style. Altho, I'm not going to fork over $60.00 for the "donation" they ask to get the tape, it sounds interesting. The one thing I was told about Pilates, & Yoga, you should take a class to make sure you're doing the excercizes correctly. Which I have no time/$ to do. They also say you need some cardio/aerobic along with it.


    MANY MEN WANTED TO LAY ME DOWN, BUT FEW WANTED TO LIFT ME UP

    -Eartha Kitt

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    Default Re: Yoga question

    I take Ashtanga Yoga...it's more of a strength Yoga...some yogas are more of a relax and stretch yoga.

    The most important thing I found for Yoga and Pilates is that you really have to "reach" into your poses. No just standing there.

    You don't just put your arm out...you really stretch it to the wall...the legs should be "active" meaning that you're really tightening up the muscles. Breathing should be slow and steady...full breaths.

    But, I do agree with Krys...not much benefit is going to come out of a 15 minute Yoga tape.

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    God/dess whirlerz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Yoga question

    Well, thanks, V. I've also heard the breathing is important...


    MANY MEN WANTED TO LAY ME DOWN, BUT FEW WANTED TO LIFT ME UP

    -Eartha Kitt

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    Featured Member krys's Avatar
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    Default Re: Yoga question

    Quote Originally Posted by VenusGoddess
    I take Ashtanga Yoga...it's more of a strength Yoga...some yogas are more of a relax and stretch yoga.

    The most important thing I found for Yoga and Pilates is that you really have to "reach" into your poses. No just standing there.

    You don't just put your arm out...you really stretch it to the wall...the legs should be "active" meaning that you're really tightening up the muscles. Breathing should be slow and steady...full breaths.

    But, I do agree with Krys...not much benefit is going to come out of a 15 minute Yoga tape.
    Yes Ashtanga is certainly more of a workout... its often best to get a good idea about correct alignment before diving into this kind of class (or at least take a beginners course in ashtanga) Ashtanga is more 'flow' based and not so detailed in the alignment instruction (this is traditionally, some teachers may vary)

    I like your points about reaching, not just hanging out in the posture and being 'active' VenusGoddess (just don't reach to far or you might pop out of your sockets )

    Another way to put it is to make sure you are constantly working in the posture, that all muscles are activated and all joints are supported. It is not a rest, it is mind and body work and focus. The relaxation part comes in when you are so focused on what you are doing and where you are that you forget about everything else.

    Breathing = Always in and out through the nose.

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    Member Beaux's Avatar
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    Default Re: Yoga question

    Thanks for the advice, I didn't expect a dramatic change - I just expected to feel -something- ...breathing through my nose has been my biggest problem.

    This sounds nasty - but I am totally a mouth breather, I sleep with my mouth open, stop eating to open my mouth and breathe, I absolutely cannot draw in a deep good breath through my nose - maybe I should see a doctor or something about it?

    Maybe I should just stick to horse back riding - phew, can't screw that up.

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    Moderator Djoser's Avatar
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    Default Re: Yoga question

    I used to do a lot of yoga when I was in college, pretty much self-taught from books, mostly breathing and stretching, but some strength-building techniques as well.

    I never once experienced a 'burn' from it, though, so I would relax about that. Hell, I do handstand push-ups on a regular basis, and very rarely get a burn from that either--some people just don't get that as much.

    Breathing is all-important, probably breathing through your mouth is a habitual thing--who thinks about breathing, right? It's therefore a very hard habit to change, but I doubt there's anything medically wrong with you. Just keep consciously trying to do it, and not only when you are trying the poses, and it should come to you with time.
    You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.
    Friedrich Nietzsche

    Free your mind, and your ass will follow.
    George Clinton

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    Senior Member Fathom7's Avatar
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    Default Re: Yoga question

    Breathing is so very importsant as posted previously. In and out through the nose and breathe into the poses, so forcing the last bit of air out of your lungs to stretch the pose (safely). I took Ashtanga yoga at my gym and felt results within a month of doing it 2x a week. Feel more flexible and stronger. Would also recommend taking time after a session to meditate for 10 min to collect and refresh yourself. Good Luck.

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