Resuming yoga - YouLookFab Forum

Tried to write "resuming yoga as a senior," or "(cough cough) as a senior." I took yoga classes for years and continued at home after we moved 20+ years ago, but then gradually stopped. I used to have yoga books, but don't know what happened to them. I do have Yoga on the Ball. If I can find it. I do have a Ball. My former teacher studied with Iyengar in India and that is what she taught.

I've realize that my thighs and hips are really tight, and like many older people, there are days when my balance isn't so good. Don't want to injure myself. And with the pandemic, not anxious to start with a group class.

Problem is I don't remember very well where to start. I look online and well, I've learned not to just go off and try something--even things my yoga teacher taught were inappropriate for my age, even back then.

Suggestions for books, videos, websites would be much appreciated. I am doing PT exercises almost every day, but for upper body.

I did bring Mr. M to those classes. His usual response to a new pose was: "You want me to do--what?!?"

3 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Excellent! You are such a role model. A few months back you said you’d been exercising and were happy to see the real progress that can be made in just a few weeks, if we keep at it. Are those the PT exercises you mention? I also love seeing what I can do, if I’m consistent.

I wish I could introduce you to Inge Spencer, from whom I took classes 17 years ago. She also studied with Iyengar, for a workshop anyway. For my dad’s 70th birthday, I gave him a private lesson with her. He came back mostly impressed at how she, a few years older than he, could go up into a handstand so easily. She is still teaching, and I bet she’s still wonderful. I’ll put my thinking cap on about suggestions that are more helpful than “fly to Georgia”. http://mindbodycenteryoga.com/about-us/teachers

I’m back with one suggestion. Don’t know when she started the focus on the back. A few years ago she had a great psoas series, and I think she did one on hip openers sometime after that. Anyway, she’s got a bunch of stuff online, some free, some paid. I hope some of it is helpful! https://yogawithlillah.com/ This page has a little more info about her—turns out she also studied with Iyengar too. Elsewhere on her site I gleaned that she’s been doing yoga since 1979 and teaching for over 35 years. https://yogawithlillah.com/lillah-schwartz-bio/

Helena

Ms Maven, I'll look for some more specific resources, but if you look into "restorative yoga", "yin yoga" or even "chair yoga", you might find some gentle classes to ease you in so you can assess what you feel comfortable with. Restorative yoga is a particular favourite of mine. Yin can still be a challenge but you are basically just letting your body go as far as it wants to go in a pose rather than pushing (for example, if you do a front bend, you just let the weight of your head bend you forward, vs. trying to pull yourself forward at all). And chair is fabulous for anyone wanting to stretch out some their tension but not confident in their balance. Good luck! x

chewyspaghetti

I also suggest Yin Yoga. My Fibromyalgia makes me really tight and also weak, but yhis style works well for me. I use a You Tube channel by a woman named Joelle. Check out her videos- many are only 10 minutes and perfect for getting back into it.

RoseandJoan

Just a thought, but it may be worth enquiring if any yoga teachers in your area, with the right experience, carry out one to ones? It may be that a few sessions on this basis will enable you to determine the postures that are available to you at this time and to build a practice around them.

MsMaven

Thank you--all useful info to help me get started.

RoseandJoan, good idea. I've seen several places that advertise hot yoga, although that was before the pandemic. Surely in this area, with so many senior housing areas, there are good teachers.

I'm beginning physical therapy again next week, so will ask there as well.

In the meantime, I'm going to check out the suggestions of Stag, Helena, and Chewy.

I like RoseandJoan’sidea a lot too. Keep us posted on how it goes. Namaste!

kerry

Down Dog app

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE the Down Dog app, and do yoga at home with air-pods in my ears. You can set it at a level of your choosing, as well as the time, and type of practice. It's an AMAZING app. I LOVE yoga soooo much!!!

That said, I don't recommend it if you haven't done yoga before, or for a while. You need to know the poses well, and make sure you are doing them properly and not hurting yourself. So I encourage RoseandJoan's suggestion.

Anonymous

Yes to Down Dog app. There are a lot of options as far as levels and focus for the workout.

Staysfit

You may want to check to see if there is anyone who has some yoga classes available that are tailored to your specific needs….starting again after hiatus, balance concerns, etc. For Pilates, I subscribe to Pilates anytime and have access to a wide range of classes that can be sorted by focus area….for example if you have back or hip problems and need to avoid extension you can sort the classes to find one. I believe there is a similar site for Yoga.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I start PT on Wednesday and I'll ask what my new therapist recommends. I'm going to check on yoga classes. There must be some reasonably close by that would provide what I need. The pandemic has really made it difficult for so many places.

I'm open to Pilates as well. I did work on Pilates machines in an earlier bout of PT for a different problem, but that was 20 years ago.

Hi MsMaven, did your PT have any suggestions for you?

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