Emotional Breakdown at Yoga

I don't know much about yoga, but I have taken pilates a couple times. The instructor corrected me a few times as well. While no one wants to be called out, its good that you're getting shown attention. I'm sure her only intentions were to help you and make sure you don't hurt yourself, etc. As for the feeling your fat rolls and not being flexible.... its EXACTLY how I felt too, but it was only a reminder to me to keep pushing. Im 6'3 220lbs so I know I'll never be able to roll myself up and fit into little croissant packages like the other girls could but that's alright =] the fat will go away over time though.

Most of all, all physical activities are going to have a hump you'll have to get over. So just remember that everyone went through it, and have fun. :bigsmile:

Yoga is amazing, so please don't let one bad experience ruin it for you.

I've never tried the Bikram version and probably never will, but I've done yoga for years and absolutely love it. If you end up not being able to make friends with Bikram yoga, try another version would be my suggestion.

I personally took a couple basic classes, got a few DVDs and am currently following my own routine I put together on the Simply Yoga app.

The fabulous thing about yoga is that you can so highly modulate it according to your own body's needs and your own mental/emotional benefit. It really is amazing, and one class really tells you nothing much at all (except that you're a bit out of shape, obviously).

Yoga is different from every other workout we normally do. Like you listed the things you usually do, it's just kind of a mesh of cardio and strength training. Yoga is on a completely different solar system from those areas of fitness.

You can be SO strong and have GREAT cardiovascular endurance and SUCK at yoga!! No joke!!

But if you KEEP TRYING at yoga, and go like once a week (even if you are TOTALLY FAILING every single time) You will slowly but surely improve over time - AND - get this - you will find that the benefits from Yoga will positively effect the other areas of your fitness too!

I totally suck at yoga, but I go once a week, and I've been SLOOOOOWLY getting better over time, and I've noticed the benefits in my strength training and cardio. You just have to be okay with the fact that your form will NOT look like the instructors' form, and THAT'S OKAY. Just do what YOU can do. The fact that you're THERE means you WIN. So don't worry about it! Just participate to the best of your ability.

I tried a number of yoga classes before I found the right one. I am overweight and inflexible and in regular yoga classes (ones that weren't specifically for beginners but stated beginners welcome) I would be dripping sweat by the second downward dog and wanting to leave. It was frustrating to the point of being both infuriating and defeating. As much as yoga appealed to me, I walked away. Then I found the right class for me.

It is truly a beginners class utilizing blocks, bolsters, blankets, straps and all sorts of modifiers. The point of the class is to train you body and mind, get you comfortable with the poses, etc. The class is spent improving maybe three or four total poses, taking time and small steps and modifiers until each pose is achieved before moving on to the next. No seemingly endless rounds of sun salutations, no falling behind the class and feeling terrible. I would recommend you call around to various yoga studios and see if you can't find a class like this.

Emotional breakdown....I walk home after yoga once and split up with my then husband of 8 years. Clarity over came me in class.
Best decision of my life. Period!

All that aside, there's something body, mind and spirit in yoga that I have never worked out. Don't fight it, just practice and enjoy.

I would get a video or something, Daily burn is really good, and practice the positions and go back when you feel more confident.
Dont't give up!

I've been doing yoga somewhat regularly for a year and the hot yoga TERRIFIES me. I have regular yoga class days that make me feel useless - I can't imagine what would happen if I tried Bikhram - good for you for trying! I would try regular yoga so you can learn the posses and then go back to try hot yoga

This is exactly why I think people in general do a disservice by classifying yoga as "easy." It's hard. Don't ever walk in thinking you will walk away unchallenged! (Not saying the OP did that...she clearly did some preparation and was still caught off guard.)


To the OP--I am glad to see you are going back..this could be quite a breakthrough for you!! Yoga releases a LOT of emotions, especially the ones we might not want to confront.

I have not done Bikram but I practice Hot Yoga and the first few times I was very frustrated. My frustration was not so much that somewhere along the way I gained weight and could feel every little squish but the feelings that were associated with the practice. Once I focused more on my breathe I stopped caring about how flexible I was or if I have to go into childs pose, yet again. My practice is about me and my spiritual journey whatever that may be. I agree with info_nrs there is just something about Yoga that opens up every cell in your body and you just react to it. Good luck in your journey and feel free to add me if you would like extra support!

I can totally relate! Yoga is HARD! Anyone who says it isn't a workout has never done it before or is already in the best shape they will ever be. Don't give up, never give up! like all things it takes practice to get good at. I feel the inability to make certain poses has little to do with the hindrance of external body fat and rather the lack of elasticity of the muscles and other tissue inside. I started doing more stretching and couldn't reach my toes standing up. after a few months of doing it every morning I was finally able to touch my toes...with the same fat still attached to me. The body fat will move out of the way...it's your muscles that are resisting the pose...which is what yoga is meant to do, finding natural resistance in your body.

but really, I'm clearly no expert...I just know what I've felt in my body and am hoping to use my personal experience to encourage you to keep up with it if it's something you really want to do. Yoga is extremely healthy and a GREAT way to improve your body's flexibility which will help with other exercise in the future.