New to the Group

TheGoblinRoad

Hi guys-

I've been practicing yoga on and off half my life, but haven't ever managed a consistent routine any longer than a few weeks. Decided to start again on Christmas Eve and have been aiming to practice at least 5 minutes a day, though it always ends up longer. Using it for spiritual practice and also as physical therapy for an injured leg.

Nice to find a group like this...and I'm glad it's not a huge group.

yoginimary

I was hoping someone would start a yoga group!

I've practice for 12 years or so and taught for the past 5. I now practice 5-6x a week - about half on my own, half in classes.

I mostly practice Iyengar yoga, but occasionally try something else. I'm addicted to workshops.

My goal pose for 2012 is the same one from 2011 - mayurasana (http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2495 for those that don't know the pose). It's considered a "guy" pose, so of course, I want to be able to do it.

I have a different "yoga goal" for each month. January is 3 handstands a day, 6 days a week.

southernyogini

Hi!
I have been practicing for 6 years. I go between Vinyasa and Ashtanga. I am certified in vinyasa so that is what I primarily teach.
My issue is just poor eating habits and stress. I lost my main source of income last year and that landed me 20 pounds heavier. So I am hopeful in 2012 for daily yoga, meditation and pranayama. If only a few moments. From there I know mindful eating will come.
Nice to meet you both!

jlira01

Hello. I'm new to Yoga and I'm starting to explore it and integrate into my weekly routine. I'm taking my first beginner class this Friday and looking to take a weekly class and practice at home 3-4 days a week. I'm also doing P90x as my primary workout program. I'm new to Yoga terms and practice, but having fun doing research and exploring!

yogibella

Hello~!

I have been practicing for a few years now and have only gotten really serious about it this past year but I LOVE it. I love the strength, the muscles and the flexibility that I have gained but I still would like to lose the fat. And of course yoga keeps me sane...absolutely sane!

Nice meeting you all and best of luck for 2012!

breadnwine

Hi there Goblin..
I am also new to the group, actually to the Website. I was looking for a supportive community regarding weight loss, and was so excited to see a yoga group also!
I have mentioned before that I had a strong practice about 3 or so years ago, for about 1 and 1/2 years.. (4x a week).. but then, life, surgery, new Grandbaby..accompanying weight gain..stalled me out. I have been an athlete off and on my whole life, and I was never in better shape than when I was doing yoga 4x a week. I also consider being on the mat my spiritual connection to the Divine. :happy: Recently recommitted myself.. (about a month now.. ) . I began by doing Anusara, and now its' Anusara and Vinyasa.. my class times are 90 minutes. When you said your sessions go longer than 5 minutes I wasn't surprised, as it takes me at least that long to shut off the chatter in my mind, allow myself to be just where I am.. and THEN begin..
Cheers to you , look forward to "chatting" ...heres' to a wonderful 2012..!
Om Shanti!

jlira01

newbie guestion..but what is anusara?

yoginimary

newbie guestion..but what is anusara?

It's a type of yoga. You can read about the different types of yoga here:
http://www.yogamovement.com/resources/styles.html

(all vinyasa/flow/power classes are considered a branch of Ashtanga)

in more detail:
http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/165

GoinOrganic

Hi, I'm Sue

The year I was 40, a new yoga teacher came to winter on the island where I lived. He made it his goal to teach us the basics, so we could be healthy, since he knew when he left it could be a long time before the next teacher showed up. I learned the basic mechanics of yoga with his Iyengar teachings.

I am now 57 and I have continued to keep my practice 60-90 min 2-3X a week. I am a very good advanced beginner... not having access to teachers for most of that time, I've continued to do what I know, and push a little to more advanced stuff, but never really have moved into 'advanced'... I love yoga, and the benefits it provides me!

MichinMI

Hi everyone. I'm Michelle. Several years ago I was instructed by the doc to attend a yoga class because of HBP. I said "doc, look at me, I cannot be a pretzel." Plus I didn't like the self-focus in the mediation parts. Fast forward to the present and I'm a certified Masters teacher of Holy Yoga (Hatha) and plus-size to boot!! I was reading some posts and some key things to remember are: yoga is non-competitive, it's YOUR practice not anyone else's and it's a journey, not a destination.

My tip if you're struggling with finding time on the mat. Put the mat on the floor alongside your bed and when the alarm goes off, roll out onto it. Seriously. At least then you can say you got on your mat and more likely than not, you will do at least a little stretching.

busywaterbending

hi everyone,

I do ashtanga yoga, and I've been off and on with yoga practice for 15 years. I practice yoga for the flexibility and balance side of it, not the spirituallity.

I teach too, and find teaching beginners very difficult. Any tips? I get so much positive feed back from my students and then there is always one lady who wants to let me know that she wants to do yoga with a torn ligament in her rotator cuff. *wince* All I can say is don't do anything more than plank, and don't do that if it hurts but she ignores me and does the up / down dog postures that I know are killing her shoulder. I love yoga, but sometimes I hate teaching it because of the stubborn students.

I always practice for myself, alone, and never in front of students. In classes I go slow and make sure that I promote props. I use props as I teach to encourage students to use them too. I find it relaxing and enjoyable and hope to continue to teach for the rest of my life.

nose6

Hello! I do yoga twice a week, at work. They bring in a teacher, and she's great. It took me a long time to get to do the poses correctly. However, once I finally began to get the hang of it, I found that I was so much more present in the moment and aware of what my body needs. It has made me stronger and more toned emotionally and mentally as well as physically.

tldomant

Hello all, I've practiced yoga for five years now, I try to attend classes but enjoy doing home sessions as well! I use yoga for many different things (exercise , mindfulness, open my heart ect.) I find the more I do yoga the closer I feel to myself. New to this group, please add me!

verptwerp

Hi, there !

I'm new to this group ...... have only been doing vinyasa yoga on & off for 6 months ....... and my work schedule only lets me attend every other class ..... I'm glad when I go, as it does wonders for my back & my temper LOL

Yes, I know ....... I could do yoga at home ..... in fact, my daughter gave me DVD's and books & recorded a dozen yoga programs off the TV for me (she's a yoga instructor, but lives in San Diego, I live in NY) ...... but somehow I always find an excuse NOT to do it at home ..... my husband's retired & is always around ..... maybe I feel a little self-conscious ?

But I want to change that attitude ..... AND JUST DO IT !

Hoping to get a little incentive here .... thanks in advance :drinker:

verptwerp

Hmmmm ...... everyone must be on vacation :laugh:

OK, wasn't planning on yoga last night ...... usually am working Thursday evenings, but happened to be off ..... one of the gym members snagged me in the parking lot ...... asked me to join her class ...... I mean, how could I say "no" ?

But first I did some fast & furious cardio ! When the yoga class started, the instructor said we should leave all our cares & concerns at the front door ...... could always pick them up on the way out, if we wished

During the first few minutes I could feel the sweat drying & my heartbeat slow down ..... and then time stretched out ...... as did my body ....... I slept like a log last night ...... glad I went !

HAGD !

sweetbippy

Hi Everybody,

I've been practicing yoga for about 1 1/2 yrs. A friend invited me, and I was curious. I loved it. I've taken several types of classes, and enjoyed them all. My husband has gone with me a few times when schedules permit. He loves it. I am currently working on crow pose. My biggest challenge is my left wrist. seems to be too week. Any suggestions?

verptwerp

Hi, there !

To Sweetbippy ..... nice to meet you ..... wish my hubby would go to classes with me ...... shoot, I can't even get the old bugger to walk around the block LOL

Am not familiar with "crow" pose, but I certainly hope your wrist is feeling better ....... my knees give me trouble, so I use a folded blanket to help me get through those poses .......

Hope you had a nice weekend !

sherrideniset

Hello all,
I'm new the the group and the website but was so happy to see a yoga group that's open and "generic". I've only been doing yoga for a short while now, less than a year at least. I try to go to the gym classes as often as I can and I try to do some at home. The only problem at home is I'm 5'9" and my ceiling is only 7' high. Can anyone help me modify some of the standing poses with arms raised (sun salutation, etc) for such a low ceiling? Thanks :happy:

verptwerp

Oh my goodness, don't have an answer for that particular dilemna ....... move cautiously ...... and maybe wear padded gloves so you don't break anything :happy:

My gym is in the basement of our local hospital ....... the gym itself is nice ..... and yoga is included in the monthly membership fee ....... but sometimes evening classes like yoga get rescheduled due to conflicts with other hospital activities ..... Lamaze classes, first aid training ...... the yoga instructor emails us as to whether there is a class or not each week ...... it's a crazy way to do things LOL

I need to do it at home, but we've got one DVD player and one TV ..... and my husband is always in front of it :laugh:

Have a good day !

mocha106

Hi Everyone, I am new to this group. I've been practicing yoga for a little over a year. I never realized how much of a workout that yoga provides. I wish I would have started years ago.

verptwerp

My daughter's been doing yoga for years, even went to Kripalu to become a yoga instructor ...... but she lives too far away to give me a much-needed kick each day LOL

I am heading to the gym shortly ....... first some cardio (8-10 miles on stationary bike) ..... then 15-20 minutes of weight-circuit ...... lastly, a "for-your-back stretch class" which incorporates many yoga poses ...... my back always feels much better after that !

Might try some meditation tonight ..... tried it last night after work/dinner/cleaning up/laundry ...... but fell asleep instead :laugh:

Question: how much time do you spend doing yoga each week ? ..... what time of day ? ...... classes or at home, or both ?

Have a great day !

yoginimary

Question: how much time do you spend doing yoga each week ? ..... what time of day ? ...... classes or at home, or both ?

Have a great day !

I spend about 10 hours a week doing yoga (not counting any teaching). I'm not a morning person, so I practice in the afternoon. My most regular schedule is 3 hours of class, 2 hours of practicing with a group, and the rest at home.

verptwerp

Morning !

One of my yoga instructors just told us she'll be going to England for a year, but not to worry, there will be another instructor taking over for her ...... I wonder what her "style" will be like ......

Mary, nice to meet you ..... I just stumbled on this little yoga group ...... it's quiet, maybe everyone is on vacation :drinker: ...... perhaps you'll have a few words of wisdom for us .......

Have a good day, everyone !

yoginimary

It is a quiet group. I think sometimes it's hard to know what to say. If I have questions, I ask my teacher.

Would be happy to have a discussion though.

busywaterbending

Hello all,
I'm new the the group and the website but was so happy to see a yoga group that's open and "generic". I've only been doing yoga for a short while now, less than a year at least. I try to go to the gym classes as often as I can and I try to do some at home. The only problem at home is I'm 5'9" and my ceiling is only 7' high. Can anyone help me modify some of the standing poses with arms raised (sun salutation, etc) for such a low ceiling? Thanks :happy:

lol, no problem!

just raise the arms to shoulder level only. When you raise the arms to each side, palms down. When you raise your arms to front middle, palms face each other or down but keep the elbows rolling downward and toward each other.

In sun salutation, raise the arms to each side as you would normally, but at shoulder level, just bring your hands to touch your shoulders. Then raise your elbows.

happy training!

yukifer

I'm on day 39 of a 57 day yoga challenge. I can't believe how much one can change in 39 days. I've become fitter, more flexible, stronger, less stressed, and many other things in my life are falling in to place.

I approach my diet gently and am using MFP as a tool to keep me accountable. I love that there's a yoga group on here! I look forward to seeing some activity.

If anyone else approaches their weight loss in a gentle way please do friend me! Would love to surround myself with positive happy people that have loads of self love.

Light & Love!

verptwerp

I'm on day 39 of a 57 day yoga challenge. I can't believe how much one can change in 39 days. I've become fitter, more flexible, stronger, less stressed, and many other things in my life are falling in to place.

I approach my diet gently and am using MFP as a tool to keep me accountable. I love that there's a yoga group on here! I look forward to seeing some activity.

If anyone else approaches their weight loss in a gentle way please do friend me! Would love to surround myself with positive happy people that have loads of self love.

Light & Love!

Best of luck in finishing your 57 day challenge ..... what exactly do you have to do ?

For the past year I've gone to gentle yoga classes at my gym, depending on my work schedule ........ I really enjoy them ...... like last night's "vini yoga" class ..... it was the perfect way to end my day ...... total "ME TIME" ...... leave your cares at the front door (and forget to pick them up on your way out ROFL)

I've got a birthday coming up & usually at each birthday I make a new goal for myself ...... this time it's not about weight loss or getting to the gym ...... been there & done that ....... this goal is about becoming committed enough to do some form of yoga at home each day ..... with no procrastination & no excuses ...... now that would be a MAJOR accomplishment !

Peace :flowerforyou:

yoga_mel

Just joined the group and wanted to say hi I have been doing yoga for a few years now and love it. Love the way it makes me feel body and mind Have tried several types but keep coming back to Shivananda. Try to practice 3 times a week, but may try to do it more often as I work on developing a home practice.

Sweet_Potato

I don't think I ever introduced myself. Hi!

One of the things I love about summer is that there's a lot of free outdoor yoga where I live. My favorite outdoor yoga, which I've been going to faithfully every week, is on the boardwalk overlooking the river. It is soooo peaceful.

I'm also fortunate to live a few metro stops away from the LivingSocial headquarters, where they have great yoga classes that are only $3. A lot of yoga studios around here charge $15-20 a class so that's a steal!

In the winter I do Bikram yoga. The studio's a 20-minute walk away and the walk home is a nice way to cool down.

I also recently downloaded a yoga app for my phone so I can go to the park and do it on my own outdoors.

4strings4him

Hi Sweet_Potato. Welcome! I'm new to the group too, although I've been practicing yoga at home off and on for about nine years. I've never found any other form of exercise to be so rewarding as yoga. You mentioned an app for your phone that helps you do yoga outdoors. What is the name of that app?

mrseholley

Ok.. so I'm new to the group and new to yoga, (kinda). When my boys were all involved in football I bought a video for them to work on their legs and hip flexibility. I've used some of the stretches/poses for the past few years and even used a few other videos I could get from netflix.

Monday (2 days away), I'm going to my first official yoga class and have a few questions.

What should I expect? What do I wear? I don't have any fancy yoga clothes, I don't even own a mat, do I need one?

I'm counting on your expertise to help me out here.

Oh btw, it's Hatha yoga. does that mean anything?

Ellen