Yoga

[shadeofgreen]

I pulled a muscle in my back a couple of weeks ago, which left me in debilitating pain for a few days. I ended up going to the doctor, even though I felt a hundred times better by the time the appointment rolled around. This isn't the first time I've had back pain that has significantly impaired my ability to live like a normal twenty-something (though very temporarily) and since I'm currently searching for employment working with horses again, having a back that mysteriously turns on me every so often is, well, not okay.

So I asked my doctor what I could do to prevent such occurrences. She had a few suggestions, and one of them was doing yoga to strengthen my core. Works for me, but I've never done it before.

My question is, is this something I can pick up using books and videos? And if so, does anyone have suggestions for materials for a dead beginner like me? Or is it really a better idea to take some classes in the beginning? I'd prefer to do it on my own, but of course, I'd rather not f up my body even more by doing it incorrectly.

I don't know a damn thing about yoga, so any words of wisdom are appreciated.

[wordsmith]

I started by doing videos, because no classes were available in my area. Then a class became available locally, and I've been going for about a year and a half. I like the interaction with a trained instructor, and I go with a coworker, so there's a social aspect of it, too. The best thing about yoga is that it emphasizes getting to know the quirks and nuances of your body...my instructor always is saying, "Find YOUR edge," meaning that you work at your own speed, and push yourself as far as you're comfortable...it's not a competition to see who has which postures the most perfect...everyone's body is different, and it's about tailoring it to you.

[embrassezla]

If you can take a class, that is definitely preferable to doing it on your own using books and videos. Vastly preferable, even. I have always found the instructors' comments during class to be very valuable, and I often remember them for awhile afterward during my practice.

[crystal_dance]

Yoga is incredible for strengthening your back, stomache and leg muscles.
I'm not sure why it's considered feminine here in the US especially when yoga is a killer warm up exercise.

I was in India for a month 2 years ago, and I decided to take some yoga classes to strengthen up. I'm not sure about yoga classes here but in India, there is ALOT of emphasis on breathing and meditation as part of keeping your body fit. I actually had to attend lectures on spiritualism and philosophy.

Was pretty cool...

[EmberMae]

Everyone says live classes are better, I've been to one live class and hated it. It said it was mixed level but it was a 70 minute class and WAY too hard for me as a beginner. It was also pretty large and I don't feel like I got much attention from the instructor to say that having her there was helpful. I was sore for days and days afterward and never went back, telling myself that I would get stronger at home first. I do the DVDs. Which, maybe isn't ideal compared to being in a very small class or having a personal trainer, but I enjoy it. Pilates is also very good for the core, maybe even better because it really focuses on it.

[wordsmith]

It might be because of my level, or the aspects I focus on, but I've never found yoga to be that amazing in terms of core strengthening, for me. It's def. alleviated some lower back discomfort, and FANTASTIC for flexibility/stretch. My arms feel stronger from some poses, more toned, and my balance is improved, I'm calmer, and I breathe better...but I really can't say I've noticed a ton of difference in my core strength, overall. I'm mostly in it for the flexibility, balance, and relaxation. My particular class is very focused on breathing, balance, and meditation. We end every session with 15 minutes of shavasana, a pose for deep relaxation, low lighting, soft chiming music.
My classes are also capped at 8 people.

[ugarachel82]

I started with a video my mom gave me for my birthday one year, but found I didn't really get the benefits of yoga and breathing and correct postures until I took a class where the instructor was very good at giving feed back and if I had a question about a pose I could always get it corrected so that it worked for me. Finding a class was tough for me too, because at gyms like the Y every teacher is going to be a little different. It's all a matter of finding the right teacher/class for you. I have taken several classes from several teachers and can incorporate that into my video and/or individual practice, and it has definitely helped me calm down enough to breathe normally and I do feel that I stand and sit up straighter and/or am more aware of my posture and upper back and shoulders when I do it regularly. So yeah, I definitely think it is worth it to take at least a few classes to get you started.

[allie1105]

I teach yoga and pilates! Both are GREAT ways to strengthen your core. Pilates really does more in terms of core strength, but since you had an injury I would recommend Yoga. Yoga will increase your overall strength and flexibilty, which will prevent injury. I highly recommend a live class if possible, but I know that some areas do not offer it, and it can be quite costly. Whether you choose a video or live class, please make sure to choose a beginner level class, or you will probably hate it (unless you are already active in other ways). In a beginner class, you will know you found a good class if you hear terms like "downward facing dog, upward facing dog or sphinx pose, child's pose, sun salutation series a and b (or in sanskrit, suryamanamaskara a and b - my spelling might be off), tree pose, etc" since those are all some great places to start. Message me if you have any questions! Yoga is the best!!!

[shorty]

I've never taken yoga, but I've started taking pilates. It really does help out with your core and, at least with my classes, there's some emphasis on breathing too. I've heard pilates described as more intense yoga, but I don't really know the difference.

Where I live, yoga or pilates classes tend to be kinda spendy, but I looked around and found a great deal at a new studio. After talking to the instructor too, I realized that pilates instructors can be certified, so that might be something to look into if you do decide to go to a class.

I find that the classes help because they're small (usually about 5 people, classes max out at 10) and the instructor is really personal. I didn't know anything about pilates when I started, so going to the classes helped. But you could probably pick up some stuff from DVDs, I think.

[allie1105]

Where I live, yoga or pilates classes tend to be kinda spendy, but I looked around and found a great deal at a new studio. After talking to the instructor too, I realized that pilates instructors can be certified, so that might be something to look into if you do decide to go to a class.


Good point - make sure your instructors are certified. Otherwise, you could be wasting your money - anyone who teaches fitness classes should have some sort of certification. Also, with Yoga and Pilates, there are two kinds of certification: one to teach at a gym, and one to teach at a studio. Gym certification takes one day and studio certification is more like having a masters degree in yoga or pilates - so I would suggest to go with someone who is studio certified rather than gym certified!

[allwellbeing]

Yoga can help for sure, now things have become so easy the yoga which is an ancient form of exercise originating from India can be viewed in the television too, there we can get to see the expert preaching the ways we should go about this tasks, so this is one way with the help of which we can incorporate yoga in our lives. It is far better than any form of the conventional medicines effects.

[Mollygurl]

What's the main difference between Yoga and Pilates? Is one better than the other? I would like to strengthen and burn calories...

[wordsmith]

This (http://diet.ivillage.com/workouts/0,,h3bz,00.html) talks about the differences.

[allie1105]

I teach both Yoga and Pilates. The main difference is that Pilates focuses on your core muscles. In pilates, we do some exercises that strengthen your abductors and adductors (inner thighs and hips), and sometimes some pushups for your arms. Also, you can often add weights to certain excercises in pilates, such as the Roll Up or the 100 to work harder and burn more calories.

In Yoga, you get a full body workout each time. For example, if you practice ashtanga yoga (there are many types, but some form of ashtanga is the most common) you begin with suryamanamaskara a, or a series of basic sun salutation. As your skill level progresses, you will find you work your back and arms here. In suryamanamaskara b, or sun salutation series b, you incorporate more poses and will work your arms, back, hips, hamstrings, quads, etc (depending on how the teacher runs the class). Following your sun salutations, you will perform a series of standing poses and poses on your mat, which will work your whole body. I do a vinyasa sequence toward the end of class that really works your abs - you begin in boat pose, hold, jump back to a pose called chattarunga (my sanskrit spelling stinks, sorry!), into downward facing dog (fundamental pose in yoga) and back to a seated position. We do this four times, each time getting harder, and you work your abs to the max.

I suggest doing both. I teach both back to back and feel great afterwards! Good luck, and if you have specific questions, feel free to PM me :)

[Se7en]

I've been thinking about getting into yoga. Mostly for meeting pretty girls, but I think the yoga itself would be interesting too.