Really liked this yoga routine for stretching & relaxing

violet976
violet976 Posts: 310 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I had planned to give yoga a try today for a back injury from nearly 11 years ago, in the hopes that it might stretch things out and minimize the pain. Unfortunately, even many of the beginner routines I found on YouTube were confusing to me, and I can't seem to wrap my brain around how to do the moves, or whether I'm even close to doing them correctly.

However, I stumbled onto this video this morning and found it quite relaxing and offering a lot of good stretching in all the right areas for me. Thought others might enjoy it as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPr4g7o46DY

& if anyone has any advice on how to build into more of the basic moves or dvds/youtube routines that really help beginners, please let me know. I prefer to not hold any pose for more than 30 seconds or so (or I lose interest), but really love some of the standing/balancing moves, pigeon stretches, etc. (I don't know any of the real names). :p

Replies

  • yoginimary
    yoginimary Posts: 6,789 Member
    Could always try your library and see what videos they have. Also, look at podcasts. Yoga Journal has some, but I don't know if they are for beginners or not.
  • brazerbramon
    brazerbramon Posts: 33 Member
    You should check out your local yoga studios. Almost all of them have beginner classes. And they might have a free, or almost free, community class that would cater to all levels of yogi's. There is something to gain from having a teacher there to help you understand the different poses, especially in the beginning of your practice. I love yoga in groups too. The energy is so much higher..

    Yoga literally means "yoke", "to join", "to unite", or "to attach". So lets do this together. Once you get the foundations from your community classes, your home practice will be so much more fulfilling.

    I got started at the YMCA, so you could check there first.
  • violet976
    violet976 Posts: 310 Member
    You should check out your local yoga studios. Almost all of them have beginner classes. And they might have a free, or almost free, community class that would cater to all levels of yogi's. There is something to gain from having a teacher there to help you understand the different poses, especially in the beginning of your practice. I love yoga in groups too. The energy is so much higher..

    Yoga literally means "yoke", "to join", "to unite", or "to attach". So lets do this together. Once you get the foundations from your community classes, your home practice will be so much more fulfilling.

    I got started at the YMCA, so you could check there first.

    I was thinking that myself... how I really just can't tell if I'm even close on some of the poses, and how nice it would be to have someone there to help position me so I could learn what a correct version of each pose feels like. It's very hard to emulate many of the poses when you don't have great flexibility, and then to try and guess if you're right... well, I'm sure it isn't pretty. :p

    I also looked into my library system, but there were so many dvds I got overwhelmed. Decided to check out youtube first to try and get a feel for what most appeals to me, but I was lost on so many of the beginner poses.
  • PrincessKittenpants
    PrincessKittenpants Posts: 144
    I take a Hot Yoga class which really helps loosen up your muscles. The room is heated to around 90 degrees though so if that would bother you I do not suggest a Hot Yoga class :wink: I personally love Yoga, probably more than any one should so if you would like some support with this feel free to add me!
  • violet976
    violet976 Posts: 310 Member
    @ PrincessKitte: I'm actually confused by the multiple types of yoga & which I might like best. I am definitely a beginner, still barely have a handle on a few of the moves, have limited flexibility (I don't feel like I'm anywhere near "pointy" on downward dog, even though my arms & legs are straight & can only reach a bit past my calves when sitting with my legs straight out). My balance is still pretty weak on the one leg routines as well.

    Ideally, I'd like routines for stretching my neck/back/shoulders out, and ones that will build up strength, but with shorter intervals on the harder poses (I can tough things out for about 30 seconds before I want to quit, so 30 second switches work best for me being the quitter that I am). :p

    Going with that, is there a style or branch of yoga that I sound best suited to try? I had never realized that there were so many to choose from.
  • matthew8387
    matthew8387 Posts: 37
    doyogawithme.com is a great website and has exactly what youre looking for.,...for all levels of practice!
  • BrownEyedGrrl
    BrownEyedGrrl Posts: 144 Member
    Thanks for sharing this video!
  • childrenrus
    childrenrus Posts: 55 Member
    doyogawithme.com is a great website and has exactly what youre looking for.,...for all levels of practice!

    Thank you, great link!
  • violet976
    violet976 Posts: 310 Member
    doyogawithme.com is a great website and has exactly what youre looking for.,...for all levels of practice!

    *hot diggity*. Thanks so much for sharing that. Looks like exactly what I need. :)

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