Do you really like YOGA!!!!!!!!

I love yoga!! I know someone mentioned it, but you have to find the right instructor and right class. The studio I went to recently revamped their classes and they turned into more "stretchy" classes. I like the ones that are more fast paced, like a vinyasa flow. And I love when teachers throw in a couple poses that I can't do, because then I go home and want to practice that pose!

I find for a lot of people that yoga gets more and more enjoyable as you do it more and get better at it. Try doing shorter sessions to start out with and just dedicate to doing 10 minutes of yoga everyday or something small. It is amazing for the body and feels great! If you're like me, once you start doing it more you will really feel the difference in your body and you will actually look forward to it because of that. Also once you get better at it and more comfortable, instead of being boring, I find it becomes "relaxing" instead.

Most men do not like yoga for the same reason you stated. They are not very flexible so it is uncomfortable.
I started doing yoga back when yoga studios were few and far between. We had to practice from books. But, all the books showed older, emaciated, Indian guys in diapers twisting themselves into impossible positions. We kinda figured we could never get there -- and, without advice, weren't really sure where to begin to get there. So, we just focused on practicing breathing kriyas, and relaxation, and the meditative aspects at first, with very little physical posing or routines.
Yoga is like anything physical. You don't start at the top of the mountain. You start at the bottom and work your way up. I wish I had understood that when I started. I might not have been so tentative.
That was a gradual way to start. I recommend it. I got a lot out of just breathing exercises and simple meditation.

The only yoga I know is the 90 minute P90X version--for the most part, it's only once/week. I didn't like it at all until about the 3rd month. I was finally flexible enough to do all the moves. That was almost 2 years ago and now it's one of my favorites workouts.

Yoga was one of the first exercise routines I attempted, and I am hooked! I normally practice vinyasa, although I also follow a recovery routine for runners from time to time. Being mindful of my breath and form helps me unwind and gives me something to look forward to on stressful days. Physically, the strength and flexibility I’ve developed is a pleasant reminder that I am blessed to have a body that supports me, even though I insist on beating it up by running and working.

All that stated, you have to find what works for you, be it a different instructor, more challenging practice, etc. Good luck!

I'm starting to. I had tried it in the past and hated it, but this time around, I started going to classes at the Y because I am rehabbing an ankle injury and I need some serious work on my balance. I think having a specific thing I wanted to improve on helped my attitude about it - and I'm getting more flexible and stronger too!

I had to miss my class this morning because of a meeting and I'm pretty bummed about it. That never would have happened six months ago - lol.

I absolutely love yoga, especially hot yoga, because I like getting sweaty. And it's a great counter to running. I much prefer power vinyasa to hatha, which is too slow moving for me. But it's not for everyone; do what you enjoy doing.

Personally I love yoga. I do it because it helps me relax and keeps me centered (especially when dealing with twin 5 year olds lol). I believe that yoga, just as any form of exercise is not for everyone, and you should love the exercise you do. If it's not for you then that's okay...just do what you love!

I'm someone that took to yoga right away, but I didn't become serious about it for about 6 years.

However, not everyone likes it and that's no big deal. I believe to be healthy, you need some sort of exercise and some way to deal with the stresses of life. Yoga is that for some people. You could prefer to meditate and run or go to church and swim. Whatever works.

If you want to do something for your back without yoga, I would try a physical therapist - the PT will give you exercises to do for your back that will help you. The PT may work a lot better than the yoga class.

As an aside: any time I'm bored with anything, I ask myself "why am I bored"? What is it about _____, that is making me bored - or is it that I would rather be distracted by something else? Am I giving up because I find it difficult? Do I truly not like doing ____? My brother once told me never give something up just because you find it difficult, but it's totally ok to give something up because you dislike it.

I love yoga. Specifically, hot vinyasa flow yoga. Followed closely by a HIIT yoga class my studio offers. Living in a small community, I don't have a lot of choices for studios but I was lucky to hit the jackpot my first time out. I cannot make myself do exercise videos at home - I'm hoping someday to change this and be able to do yoga every day at home. I was horribly out of shape and after three months of about 4 yoga classes a week, my core had improved immensely. I am no kind of graceful in my yoga practice - I am fat and slow and not particularly bendy - but I find such peace on my mat that I will never stop doing yoga. I was hooked in one class.

But I also agree with the folks that commented that it is OK to NOT like yoga, just like it is OK to NOT like to run or any other exercise. But like most things, you may find you like a different thing at a different stage in your life, so never say never!

I love yoga. Specifically, hot vinyasa flow yoga. Followed closely by a HIIT yoga class my studio offers. Living in a small community, I don't have a lot of choices for studios but I was lucky to hit the jackpot my first time out. I cannot make myself do exercise videos at home - I'm hoping someday to change this and be able to do yoga every day at home. I was horribly out of shape and after three months of about 4 yoga classes a week, my core had improved immensely. I am no kind of graceful in my yoga practice - I am fat and slow and not particularly bendy - but I find such peace on my mat that I will never stop doing yoga. I was hooked in one class.

But I also agree with the folks that commented that it is OK to NOT like yoga, just like it is OK to NOT like to run or any other exercise. But like most things, you may find you like a different thing at a different stage in your life, so never say never!

This is an excellent reply!!

(Also when I said I didn't like hot yoga. I didn't mean the yoga. I just meant being hot.)

I LOVE yoga...but not hot yoga...try a class that isn't too long or too "pure"...if you have access to "on demand", there are variety of really short classes (10 minutes) You could try several different methods. I hope you find one you like!

bump

Well, you could try pilates (faster paced) or a different type of yoga (Ashtanga vs. Yin vs. Vinyasa etc are all very different). Or maybe an aqua-fit type class. Or just other studios if you don't like the one you are at.

This. I want to love yoga. I've tried to love it. But I hate it. It's too slow.
I do love pilates though.