Anyone here do yoga? (mini-rant included)

If you're using the words "yoga" and "rant" in the same sentence, methinks you're doing it wrong. I spend a ginormous amount of time trolling.....errrr, I mean contributing to the F&E forums, and I don't recall seeing anyone saying yoga is easy or yoga is worthless. Yoga isn't lifting, sure. But doesn't have benefits? No one says that anywhere.

I wish I could link you to the thread I saw, but it was a week ago and it's too far gone. But there was a girl on here who started a thread about how she hated yoga and thought it was pointless. And a bunch of other MFPers chimed in and said yoga was useless in terms of exercise. Just because you didn't see it doesn't mean the thread wasn't there.

I know the thread of which you speak. The OP said she didn't get it or enjoy it, which is still a legal opinion to have in most states. Some others felt the same way. But mostly the thread was a ton of yoga lovers saying what they enjoyed about yoga and how they benefited from the practice. Like most things, people see what they want to see. I witnessed (and participated in) a pro yoga rally that went on for pages where you saw a Yoga Sucks thread.

Hot Yoga has changed my life!!! It is the best thing I could do to de-stress! I eat better because of yoga and I feel absolutely fabulous after a yoga class! The regular (non-heated) yoga classes are good too but HOT YOGA really pushes me and has been a complete change in how I view exercise.

I just started like a week ago, actually! The gym i go to offers yoga classes just about everyday, so now im making it sort of a goal to do yoga atleast once a week. I do weight lift, and i LOVE it, but i love how relaxing yoga is...And i agree, its not easy! lol, but it feels very rewarding, mentally and physically.

I love yoga! I have been going for a month, twice a week, and can feel the difference. My metabolism has gotten faster, and I am much stronger. Feel free to add me, I would love to have more yoga-friendly friends.

I love the lengthening and strengthening of yoga!!

I want to...does that count? I just need to find the right program etc. I'm a little intimidated by the whole thing.
My workouts are 1/2 and 1/2 cardio and weights hard core at this point and I *really* need some stretching and flexibility.

I posted earlier today (but got no response) if anyone can recommend any good yoga sessions on DVD or you tube. I'd like to go to classes but I'm already really struggling with time constraints.

^

In case you still need suggestions ........ this gets me moving in the morning :flowerforyou:

http://www.doyogawithme.com/content/burnout-bliss

I agree , and also practice yoga. The more advanced poses are indeed difficult, and even so, something doesn't have to feel difficult to be beneficial- take dancing for example! I too find it improves my balance and flexibility. The flow of the practice I also find refreshing and invigorating. I take a class right after boot camp at the gym .
and well, then there's this guy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

I'm a dancer and yoga is an extremely important part of my dance training as it is for all the other dancers I dance with and it has always been an aspect of our warm up, conditioning, keeping our bodies healthy and injury prevention and contributing to our technique. There is so much that I gain from yoga that I could not gain from strength training alone. I also do strength training and it's an important aspect of my fitness, strength, and body resilience. Yoga helps me with flexibility, the kind of strength and endurance that I need, my balance, my alignment, keeping up with grace and creative sparks. It is also beneficial to teaching me calm and relaxation while moving and doing challenging physical things. It is beneficial to me mentally and emotionally as well. People that say it is easy aren't doing it right, they have no idea (I guess they can stand on one foot, in releve, with their leg lifted up beside their ear and hold that position). And I see people all the time with improper alignment. If they had proper alignment they would quickly see that it is a lot more work than they realize and they would feel it more in all the proper places. Some people do the easier yoga, but that does not mean there is not much further to progress in it. People underestimate what our bodies can actually do. And of course people have different goals and interests, so no it's not for everyone. Obviously beginner yoga for elderly people is not the same as advanced yoga.

Btw, I'm only sharing this because you asked for people to share their good experiences with it being a part of their fitness. That was my impression of what you were asking for the purpose of this thread. There is always a possibility that someday I will stop liking it. It isn't likely at this point, but I never fully rule out any possibility of how some things can change. You just never know.

i practice yoga regularly...in fact i am an instructor. i ignore the nay-sayers and keep with my practice solely for my mental and physical health. plus, anyone who says yoga is 'easy' hasn't tried any of my classes. ;-)

I love yoga

I'm passionate about yoga as well - even though I've only been doing it seriously for one year by taking a weekly hatha yoga class. It invigorates me and the warrior poses have helped shape my shoulders and arms.

I do yoga once a week as it stretches everything out and relaxes me...it is a great stress reliever for me...I also try and use my foam roller and every few weeks have a proper sports massage if things get really tight (my traps and calves are trouble spots)...

I love yoga

I do the same 40min practise whenever i have a 'rest' day, its lovely

I am looking forward to the summer when i can do yoga outside in the mornings

P.S

I think some people on here can just be a bit one sided and blinkered with their views

they dont understand that labelling something as 'bad' is really quite de-motivating

its great if someone does yoga, or does running, or does ANYTHING to help themselves and it should be commended.

but no, you HAVE to do weights, or you HAVE to do this or that. when actually we should be crediting people who do anything because the likelihood is that they have not been doing anything before...

I do yoga once a week--either power, vinyassa, or Bikram. I lift and run as well, but I agree that some forms of yoga (especially vinyassa and power) are great strength workouts.

I do DDP Yoga and it is the greatest thing.