Radical change in direction

Thorbjornn
Thorbjornn Posts: 329 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
In Dec. 2010 I had 3 lumbar micro-discectomies. I've always been inflexible, with tight hamstrings, glutes (no jokes about being a tightass, I get that enough :bigsmile: ) and hips. Knees don't go anywhere near the floor. It probably comes from years of weight lifting and not stretching. I can't sit on the floor cross-legged for more than 15, 20 mins. at the most without my feet going numb and tingly. It's a particular problem in temple when I've been sitting on the floor too long, and then it's time to stand up... I've almost fallen.

A stretch I was given to do (but of course, I don't) is to sit on a chair, one leg crossed over the other, then lean forward and feel the stretch in the glute and hip, then reverse for the other side. Ultimately I'm supposed to touch my knee with my nose. Yeah OK, as if! Btw, I sit at a desk all day, but I have a box underneath that I put my feet up on to try to keep my legs stretched.

So I'm going to try qigong: baduanjin and zhan zhuang, as well as a few āsanas (poses) of yin yoga. Yin yoga āsanas, which are designed for the lower body, are held for 3-5 mins., so to do more than 3-4 of them can get time consuming, in addition to the 15-20 mins. for baduanjin and zhan zhuang. I found some write-ups and videos. These are very simple movements that are basically isometric and really get the muscles working and heart rate up. The descriptions say you get fit by standing still. :smile: I tried the horse stance, and after just a few seconds, not even minutes, my quads were burning. I think aiming for a minute or so at the start, then working up is wise.

Moreover, and as importantly, I'm getting tired of weight lifting and treadmills and other exercise equipment. I may go back to doing TRX and Body Pump at a local studio, and an occasional circuit routine, but 20 years of weight lifting has run its course. Time for a change.

Replies

  • GrannyGwen1
    GrannyGwen1 Posts: 212 Member
    Fitness and Exercise
    Topic: Radical change in direction

    POSTED BY Jainarayan Joined Mar 2013 June 14, 2013 6:49 am

    GOOD COPY

    SAVED FOR REFERENCE ON YOGA AND EXERCISE

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