First time doing yoga.

courageous_cara
courageous_cara Posts: 14 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello, I'm not new to myfitnesspal and I'm definitely no stranger to trying to lose weight. I decided that I would focus on fitness rather than weight loss this time around. Anyways, I took my first Yoga class tonight. I lasted about 30 minutes (even though I could barely do any of the poses everyone else was doing). It was really discouraging at first, but then I decided I could use this as a fitness motivator. Did anyone else have a lot of trouble with yoga when they first started and was it easier once you took weight off?

Replies

  • Mighty_Rabite
    Mighty_Rabite Posts: 581 Member
    The first time I did yoga.. it was P90X's Yoga X.

    I remember thinking, "I got through Chest and Back.. Plyometrics.. Arms and Shoulders.. it's about time I got a break!"

    Was I EVER wrong!

    Even today, I struggle to make it through more than 30-40 minutes of yoga at a time without prematurely breaking a pose (I admit though, I don't do anywhere near as much yoga as I probably should). I would say yoga would be a great fitness motivator, and a very highly recommended supplement to anyone working on getting into shape. It is something that gets easier when you start to do it more often.
  • gjulie
    gjulie Posts: 391
    Hi I wouldnt be anyone's yoga guru I did a class some years ago and I incorporate stretches into my workout routine it really is great for keeping you supple mind you Id say what I do is my own brand so its probably not the hardest!!!!lol:laugh:
  • Alicia7519
    Alicia7519 Posts: 160
    Yes, I had some problems when I first began going to yoga classes. While it helps to lose weight, it's more about getting strong and being flexible. Also, it is so relaxing. I have some great instructors who encourage students in the class to go at their own pace and to modify poses. This helps a lot. If your instructor does not tell you this, then maybe you should find another class. You can injure yourself by forcing your body into some poses.

    I have been doing yoga for three months and I have gotten more flexible. On days that I do not go to class, I use videos from Youtube for yoga. There are some good beginner yoga videos that last 20 minutes. It helps to start out little by little. There are some poses that I cannot or will not do. I may not ever be able to do them, but at least the rest of the poses I can do make a difference.

    Recently, I bought I video online from myogaonline. It is called "Brand Spanking New." It is great!!!! I have learned so much from this video.
  • vaangoin
    vaangoin Posts: 10
    Yoga is very useful for health. There is no side effect with Yoga. If you are a beginner follow with Surya Namaskar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlsk0NsecnM
  • courageous_cara
    courageous_cara Posts: 14 Member
    Thanks everybody! After reading all of your responses, I feel like there is hope for me.
  • SwimKitty
    SwimKitty Posts: 122 Member
    I haven't been doing yoga for long, but what surprised me was how quickly I'm improving. Just do the best you can and you'll find yourself improving with every session, too. And yes, my apple belly does get in the way with some poses, but I keep going anyway. I have noticed a lot of improvement in my balance, flexibility, strength, and decreased joint pain. Love it.
  • erin4609
    erin4609 Posts: 131 Member
    Keep going! you just started! ask the instructor for easier, modified positions before class starts. You can work your way up to the hard ones! And yoga is sooo good for your mind! It'll change your body, and your mind. love yoga!

    And watch this video! It'll get you inspired!

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151007386498082
  • stbrad6896
    stbrad6896 Posts: 135
    nobody is a yoga pro right off the bat, there's so much technique when you really get into it. I would suggest learning ways to modify your poses so you don't strain yourself, and do yoga on a regular basis to improve your understanding of the poses, transitions and breathing. I find yoga to be incredibly relaxing and rewarding. I have forced myself to go to classes a few times despite horrible migraines and when I left my headache was gone. I would also suggest really practicing on your breathing too because if you do it right, it really helps with your transitioning in the poses. I even do yoga breathing during other workouts like lifting and stuff...
  • MissNations
    MissNations Posts: 513 Member
    Were you in a beginning level class?
  • erin4609
    erin4609 Posts: 131 Member
    Were you in a beginning level class?

    Good point. Intermediate-advanced level yoga can get haaarrrd no matter how good of an athlete you are
  • courageous_cara
    courageous_cara Posts: 14 Member
    Were you in a beginning level class?

    I actually went thinking it was a Pilates class, but I guess there was a substitute instructor and she said we were going to do Yoga, but she didn't specify what level. Everyone in the class seemed like they had all the moves down and were in great shape. I was the fattest girl in the room. Haha. I just assumed I was too fat and out of shape.
  • courageous_cara
    courageous_cara Posts: 14 Member
    Keep going! you just started! ask the instructor for easier, modified positions before class starts. You can work your way up to the hard ones! And yoga is sooo good for your mind! It'll change your body, and your mind. love yoga!

    And watch this video! It'll get you inspired!

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151007386498082

    That's incredible! I'm so happy for him. I teared up a little when he started running.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    You will improve. Like everything else, it just takes practice and training.
  • Nacho12
    Nacho12 Posts: 157 Member
    The first time I remember being very overwhelmed and almost not wanting to come back. I did come back and loved it. I have done it for over 10 years now usually a couple times a week. The poses get easier as you repeat them so don't get discouraged. Yoga is
    so good for stretching the muscles. I quit coming for 3 or 4 months once and could really tell when I came back--my musicles were
    very tight and it was hard to get into the poses. Keep it up for at least a month or two to decide if you like it or not.
  • MissNations
    MissNations Posts: 513 Member
    Were you in a beginning level class?

    I actually went thinking it was a Pilates class, but I guess there was a substitute instructor and she said we were going to do Yoga, but she didn't specify what level. Everyone in the class seemed like they had all the moves down and were in great shape. I was the fattest girl in the room. Haha. I just assumed I was too fat and out of shape.

    Well, a good instructor should offer modifications to each pose so that everyone can do them to the extent they are able. Don't be discouraged. Yoga gets easier the more you do it, not the skinnier you are. I mean, there are plenty of skinny people who are not terribly flexible or who fall down when they balance on one foot. It's just a matter of practice. If you like it at all, don't give up! See if there's a beginning level class and try to go once a week. You'll get it. :flowerforyou:
  • GnaBean
    GnaBean Posts: 112 Member
    I'll second the motion that a good instructor will show modifications to accomodate everyone's skill level and body type.

    I just want to add that in yoga, it's important not to compare yourself with anyone else in the class. It's perfectly acceptable and encouraged to only compare yourself to yourself. Try to do just a little more than you did before. Try to do the poses just a little better than you did last time. Try to hold the difficult positions just a little longer.

    Each body is different, each journey is different. Only focus on your own!
  • samantha1242
    samantha1242 Posts: 816 Member
    Yoga is about the journey with each pose. It takes practice. Flexibility will come after awhile which will make each pose easier. The added weight does make it a bit more difficult to get into certain poses but I have at least 80 pounds on some of my friends in yoga class and I am deeper into almost all of the poses cause of my flexibility. Keep it up and you will love it! You could always google the basic yoga moves and practice them at home a couple times to try and keep up in class.

    Enjoy :)
  • mang9785
    mang9785 Posts: 162 Member
    The first time I did yoga.. it was P90X's Yoga X.

    I remember thinking, "I got through Chest and Back.. Plyometrics.. Arms and Shoulders.. it's about time I got a break!"

    Was I EVER wrong!

    Even today, I struggle to make it through more than 30-40 minutes of yoga at a time without prematurely breaking a pose (I admit though, I don't do anywhere near as much yoga as I probably should). I would say yoga would be a great fitness motivator, and a very highly recommended supplement to anyone working on getting into shape. It is something that gets easier when you start to do it more often.

    That's exactly what I experienced. My initials thoughts were men shouldn't be stretching certain things. I found that over time I got better and better at it and actually looked forward to it.
  • Lisah8969
    Lisah8969 Posts: 1,247 Member
    I took a Yoga class over the summer at the City's Parks and Rec department. The lady teaching the class was 80 years old and very bendy! It was my first experience with yoga and I found that I had no problems with 90% of the moves and what problems I did have mostly involved the teacher not doing the move and expecting me to figure out by her just explaining what I was supposed to do. I am not saying that I am some super fitness person, but rather that I think my class was way too easy.

    In January, the High School will be having adult education classes that include yoga. I will get twice as many classes as I did with the P&R department for less money. I think I will give it another try.

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