UPDATE - Yoga class - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Off Topic

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

UPDATE - Yoga class

Anonymous

My DH and I went to our first yoga class at the gym on Tuesday. We'll be going back tonight. It's really nice to have a yoga class 3x/week that's only 2 minutes away from our house!

I'm not totally new to yoga, as I have done a little bit at home with a Rodney Yee beginner yoga DVD. However, I'm not Mrs. Flexible and I struggle to do some of the poses.

Tuesday night's class went pretty well for me. I managed to do all but one of the poses, and I didn't topple over, lol. The one pose I couldn't do was the tree pose, which involves balancing on one foot. My ankle has been bothering me lately (on Sunday, it was hurting so badly I couldn't even flex my foot). Yesterday I read an online article (I believe it was on the Arthritis Foundation website) that said people with arthritis shouldn't do any poses that involve balancing on one foot, so I'm glad I didn't attempt it.

Here's hoping that tonight will go well. I still feel the effects of the previous class, but I'll do what I can and keep working at it.

Off Topic

33 replies

Latest reply was from

Anonymous

I'm new to yoga (I'm doing hot yoga at two different levels) too, and am absolutely loving it. Like you, I had done the odd bit of yoga here and there, but this is my first attempt with a regular schedule, and I tell you, it's saving my life right now. I'm not great at it , and have to modify a few things that bother my knee and neck. But that's the beauty of yoga - it's democratic:)

Anonymous

I'm feeling really stiff this morning and am really looking forward to the class. Our instructor has experience teaching all ages, from children to senior citizens, and she does a great job of telling us how to modify the poses.

Robin

A yoga class you like so close to your house? Awesome!

And, you do not have to be Mrs. Flexible to do yoga. Really, that's not the point. Wherever you go in the poses is you being present in your body, which is a fabulous thing.

Yup, balancing poses like tree are hard, and I can see where they'd put too much stress on arthritic joints to really be safe.

Does your teacher teach modifications for tree, such as keeping the ball of your non-standing foot on the floor, holding onto a wall, or both? If you did want to try tree, those would be ways you could make the shape of the pose without putting your full weight on one leg.

And yes, I'm a yoga enthusiast. haven't been for a couple of weeks. Eager to go tomorrow and get back into my routine of going to at least two classes a week. I found a wonderful studio here in Seattle, and have worked with two teachers, so far, whose classes and personalities click with me.

Your reply

rachylou

Veteran

Ah takes me back to my Ruby Ridge roots. Watch out you don't let the devil in with that yoga stuff, as folks would say. Hahahaha! My mom does yoga; she likes it a lot. We had lunch with her instructor the other day...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE YOGA.

harmonica

Veteran

Yoga <3

It's all about being present in the moment and in your body as it is. Doing your best at your own level and pace is excellent. That's the beauty of it.

Summer

Veteran

Yoga should be perfect for you, and you are wise to listen to your own body. I hope you will find it helpful and enjoyable..

Anonymous

Yet another challenge had presented itself. I got home from yoga class last night and soon thereafter had chest pains. I could barely breathe, so I went to the urgent care center this morning. The diagnosis is GERD, and the doctor said poses such as downward dog aren't good because gravity sends the acid back up. I still want to do yoga, but will have to modify or omit certain poses.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I love yoga! I take classes several times a week at my local gym. I also love SUP (Stand Up Paddle Boarding) and want to try yoga on the paddle board this summer.

Anonymous

I make sure that I exercise/ do yoga no sooner than 3 to 4 hours after I have eaten, because I have the same problem especially if I do certain poses in which I am tensing my abs.

Traci

Veteran

I agree with Laura. Try to make sure you're on an empty stomach and be mindful to not drink during the class. These two things may eliminate the gerd. Some of the poses are designed to activate your internal organs. Activating organs full of food and sloshing with water is going to be a recipe for trouble!

Style Fan

Veteran

How wonderful that you have found a Yoga class close to home. DH and I have been doing Yoga for about 10 years together almost daily. He sometimes goes twice a day. I feel a bit sick if I go to a class after I have eaten. Lots to learn.

I am second from the left.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Anonymous

Thanks. I had only eaten a small snack 2 hours before class and didn't expect a problem. Live and learn! Today's class was at 3 pm so I ate at noon - 3 hours before - and did chid's pose in place of downward dog. It was a hard class this time that focused on balance, which I totally lack. Lots of work ahead but I'm no quitter.

Lyn D.

Veteran

I love Yoga too- I have been doing it for 30 years!
You can rest your foot on the supporting ankle with your toes on the ground as an option for the tree. It is one of my favourite poses - I picture a beautiful old oak tree I know, and the thought of the roots below ground helps me with my stability.

Anonymous

Thanks, Lyn. I did do the tree pose with the modification you suggest (our teacher also suggested it). I did okay, but my ankle was hurting last night, so I don't know what to think now. I'm wondering if I can just wear foot wraps, lol.

Anonymous

May I suggest that you practice the tree pose at home wearing sneakers which will give you more support until you gain the strength in your legs to master the move barefoot.

Anonymous

Good idea, Lara! I had actually been wondering if it would be easier with my athletic shoes. Seems like it would offer more foot stability. I'll be sure to get near a wall just in case, though!

Anonymous

What a good idea that was! I got home and tried tree pose in my Alegria clogs, and was able to do it easily. Granted I couldn't hold the pose very long, but this is a far cry from not being able to get my toes off the floor. I was able to do it the normal way. Woo-boo! New found confidence. My left ankle was still bothering me, though.

Anonymous

Update: I went to my doctor about my feet. In both cases (the toe problems and the ankle pain) it's--you guessed it--arthritis. I was encouraged to modify my poses for a while and gradually build up my ankle strength to do the tree pose. I don't have to avoid it.

Anonymous

I think my DH and I have gone to about 4 classes now. I did fairly well last night, but there were no tree poses in that practice. There was a man next to me who, like me, wasn't very flexible; so I felt a little more at ease. I do feel myself getting more and more flexible, though, so hopefully I'll be able to touch my toes one of these days.

I bought my own mat, as the gym doesn't have many good ones and they all get spoken for before I get the chance to grab one. The remaining ones are too slilppery. I went sliding during the Sunday afternoon class, and vowed never again, so I ordered one pronto from Amazon with Prime shipping so I wouldn't have that problem anymore.

Anonymous

Happy you are enjoying your yoga classes. Yoga is a "way of life" for me as I have been doing it for many years. I will be 59 in less than 2 months and people are amazed at my flexibility. Even if I have a backache (which is rather unusual for me) I go right to my yoga poses to stretch out gently. I find that if my back hurts it uses means my hips are tight so I know what I need to do.

BC, another recommendation, if you do yoga at home, try to do it after you shower when your muscles are warmed up. It will be easier to do the poses. If you cannot, try walking around the house for 15 mins or so (no need to power walk) to warm up your muscles first.

Anonymous

Thanks, Lara. I will most definitely heed your advice. I was just thinking about that this morning, while sitting at my desk. It just seems sensible to warm up in some sort of way before practicing yoga.

My DH, who has A-fib, finds that yoga helps with his breathing and stabilizes his heartbeat. He can also swim a lot longer and faster now. And he is someone who has practically lived at the gym since he was a teenager. He's no stranger to intense exercise.

Anonymous

Our DD wants to join us for yoga, so now it's a family affair. My DD is interested in relieving stress, but I'm sure she'll discover how much it helps her in other activities such as cross country running.

Anonymous

Still loving the yoga classes, though my flexibility hasn't noticeably improved. I'm getting better at holding certain poses. As for balance such as tree pose, I do much better with my shoes on. Not sure what to do about balancing on my toes, as I have arthritis in my toes and ankles. I do what I can, but some things are just out of bounds for me.

Ankita

(website)

Yoga is the best thing that I've included in my routine. ❤
I'm not too much of a outdoorsy person so sports are a no no... joined a gym with DD but we dropped out 3 months down the line and I kept feeling like crap about my body, weight and everything in between...until I started doing yoga again.
It not only calms the mind,but it's like food for my body and soul...and I CANNOT do without it.
I totally understand where you're coming from...balancing postures need a lot of practice , patience, time and concentration. I agree with everyone who said that try various modifications for balancing postures...I remember I took a good week to get the hang of tree pose and down dog and today they are almost as good as resting postures for me. The side arm plank is my nemesis though coz I have weak wrists...but I'm getting there practising everyday. ☺
Also if you feel wobbly,hold on to a focal point or dhrishti where you concentrate, use a wall or a chair or a block for support and press into all 4 corners of your feet while trying a balancing posture.
The thumb rule for yoga is to listen to your body and find what feels good... if a certain pose makes you feel yummy,linger there for longer and let the body enjoy... that's the only way I come back to the mat!
Happy yoga everyone! ❤

Anonymous

It's good to know I'm not the only one who had to practice to get the hang of down dog. It's a deceptive pose isn't it?

Yoga always makes me feel better. It's just that my left side is weaker than my right side and the balance poses are challenging.

Ankita

(website)

Oh yes, it's a tricky tricky pose...looks so easy and when you get down to it it's like wth why won't my heels touch the ground!
I would consider myself flexible and yet it took me weeks to do certain postures, which is what taught me that yoga is more about feeling and understanding your body rather than pushing it like we would in the gym ☺

I think give your left side more love and time... maybe even try moderation postures when you're dealing with that side until it gets stronger... keep doing it though....stay mindful and stay safe ❤

Sending you big virtual hugs!

Anonymous

Thanks, Ankita.

Anonymous

BC, something that an instructor once told me was to always workout on your weaker (usually non dominant ) side first and save the stronger side for last. For whatever reaso that worked for me and I continue to do that. It makes my workouts easier.

12