Yoga?

mama_to_1
mama_to_1 Posts: 45 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
What are the benefits of yoga? I have been wanting to try it, maybe just home for now, but I wondering what people who have done it have gained personally from it (flexability, muscle, ect.). Sorry if this sounds like a dumb question, I know absolutely nothing about yoga lol

Replies

  • TBHunter
    TBHunter Posts: 28
    Yoga= Love!

    I started doing yoga class in September to bring up my amount of activity in the week. I go to class once a week for 90 minutes and have seen many changes!

    The main changes I have seen are:

    My flexibility has increased 10 fold! I can bend in ways I NEVER though my body would ever bend.

    My muscle are lean. This is a big thing for me, as I do not like the look of large muscles on women! And it has been the only thing that has taken the weight off my thighs!

    But the biggest thing is how much it allows me to relax. Yoga class for me is the chance to unwind, forget about the stress of my final year of my degree and just be in tune with my body. I allows me to fully relax, and my sleep following yoga is always the best of the week!

    Yoga is some thing that anyone can do.
  • Jenscan
    Jenscan Posts: 694 Member
    ^^ This. It's great for so many reasons: Strength, balance, flexibility, focus. Try it!!
  • scarlettd12
    scarlettd12 Posts: 111 Member
    Thanks for asking this question!! I just started looking into the local yoga studio in town and was wondering what the benefits were. It is pretty pricey for me ($12-15 per class) but if it is beneficial, I would be willing to do it. My big thing is my neck has been bothering me. I think it is from the way I sleep. But I was hoping yoga might help.

    How often should a person do yoga? Is once a week enough to see results?

    Anyone have any thoughts on Pilates as well?
  • mama_to_1
    mama_to_1 Posts: 45 Member
    i also wondered about the calming and relaxing-ness (is that a word? lol). it seems like it would be a great stress reliever. i have the p90x videos. i have not done the whole program, just use the dvds here and there wen i feel like since i prefer to go to the gym. but i think i will start doing the yoga dvd 2 times a week to try it out before i jump into a class! thanks for the info!
  • floweringcurrant
    floweringcurrant Posts: 112 Member
    I really enjoy bikram yoga, also known as "hot yoga," which is an hour and a half class done in a room heated to about 100 degrees. Taking this class has helped with back problems, flexibility, my skin, toning my body, increasing my strength, as well as some mental clarity/stress release. I really like it.
  • gazz777
    gazz777 Posts: 722
    bend and bump !
  • val205
    val205 Posts: 50 Member
    Thanks for asking this question!! I just started looking into the local yoga studio in town and was wondering what the benefits were. It is pretty pricey for me ($12-15 per class) but if it is beneficial, I would be willing to do it. My big thing is my neck has been bothering me. I think it is from the way I sleep. But I was hoping yoga might help.

    How often should a person do yoga? Is once a week enough to see results?

    Anyone have any thoughts on Pilates as well?

    I :heart: yoga, I think twice a week gets more benefit but once a week is enough to still get benefit from it. For your neck, try a different pillow :)
  • sp53
    sp53 Posts: 40
    Not a dumb question at all! I often hear people criticize yoga for being "just" about stretching or inner peace. A good teacher will help you get lean and strong; you will pant and sweat AND become more flexible. I really recommend trying it; there are many good teachers around who are often inexpensive. Check out middle aged or elderly yoga practiioners if you don't believe me about lean and strong.
  • Le_Joy
    Le_Joy Posts: 549 Member
    Depending on the type of yoga you can get a really good strength workout. Some people think yoga is lame because it is mostly about stretching, but stretching is VERY important! Most people do not stretch enough so adding yoga is a good way to do more. And flexibility is important as well.
  • mama_to_1
    mama_to_1 Posts: 45 Member
    currently my work-out schedule is going to the gym 3 days a week (mon, wed, fri) and on the other days i will normally do a p90x workout at home (mostly the ab ripper). so i think i will do yoga two times a week (like maybe tues and thurs).


    the heated yoga sounds interesting! i love being super hot! :tongue: :happy:
  • mama_to_1
    mama_to_1 Posts: 45 Member
    has anyone done the p90x yoga dvd? what do you think about it? i think that is what i will start with (since i already have it)
  • Elzecat
    Elzecat Posts: 2,916 Member
    I really enjoy bikram yoga, also known as "hot yoga," which is an hour and a half class done in a room heated to about 100 degrees. Taking this class has helped with back problems, flexibility, my skin, toning my body, increasing my strength, as well as some mental clarity/stress release. I really like it.

    I've never tried bikram yoga, but I like the hatha yoga I've tried...how does the hot yoga help your skin? When I sweat that much (from excessive heat) I tend to break out more...just curious...
  • NomNomCupcakes
    NomNomCupcakes Posts: 135 Member
    I used to do a lot of yoga!! It is really easy to get into! I only learned it through reading and youtube.
    It's great for balance, aligning your digestive tract, calms you down, stretches you out, etc.
  • Hayesgang
    Hayesgang Posts: 624
    I love it - it's my only workout.

    I practice at a studio and I do 3 hot power yoga classes (75 mins) and 1 restorative class (90 mins) per week.

    I can't say enough about it - like another poster said I prefer to be long and lean with defined muscle (I'm not looking for a "muscular look"). I have lost 2-3 inches off every part of my body even my "pooch" is much smaller and I have defined upper abs, and my as* is no longer sliding down my legs.

    I also love the serenity of it - I can go into class with the weight of the world on me and leave so light. You have to be completely present when you do yoga to be able to stay in the pose, if your mind wanders, you can't balance.

    My only suggestion is to try a studio before doing it at home because alot of the videos don't go into detail about placement of feet, hips, knees etc and you could injure yourself. A lot of studios will offer a free class to newcomers or get a punchcard for a few sessions.
  • GreatSetOfBrains
    GreatSetOfBrains Posts: 675 Member
    I really enjoy bikram yoga, also known as "hot yoga," which is an hour and a half class done in a room heated to about 100 degrees. Taking this class has helped with back problems, flexibility, my skin, toning my body, increasing my strength, as well as some mental clarity/stress release. I really like it.

    Oh I miss yoga!
  • jnanof
    jnanof Posts: 52 Member
    I have done the P90X yoga. Its great because it focuses on your weaknesses but also points out your improvements too. One complaint people have is that it is too long. There is another version called Fountain of youth found under One on One with Tony Horton volume one I think. Just do your best and forget the rest :)
  • adjones5
    adjones5 Posts: 938 Member
    Bikram "hot" yoga makes me :D Seriously, whenever I feel so stressed or irritable, I go to yoga and feel immediately better. I can clear my mind, and relax.
  • floweringcurrant
    floweringcurrant Posts: 112 Member
    .
  • floweringcurrant
    floweringcurrant Posts: 112 Member
    I really enjoy bikram yoga, also known as "hot yoga," which is an hour and a half class done in a room heated to about 100 degrees. Taking this class has helped with back problems, flexibility, my skin, toning my body, increasing my strength, as well as some mental clarity/stress release. I really like it.

    I've never tried bikram yoga, but I like the hatha yoga I've tried...how does the hot yoga help your skin? When I sweat that much (from excessive heat) I tend to break out more...just curious...


    I think for me it is the opposite. I have noticed the sweating to really help clear out my skin. I think it might also have something to do with the amount of water I drink before/during/after the class.
  • 65PONY
    65PONY Posts: 68 Member
    Supposed to improve felexiablity, but I dont bend that way :-)
  • yoginimary
    yoginimary Posts: 6,789 Member
    Physically: Flexibility, strength, and balance. Pretty much the same mentally as well. :bigsmile:

    I do yoga 6x a week (I also walk and bike). 3x a week is in a class, 3x at home. If you go to class once a week and do it at home once a week, you'll start well.
    While the physical benefits started right away for me, it took a couple of years for my mind to shift. I don't mean anything new age either. I'm less likely to become angry or sad. I believe I'm more compassionate as well. I believe this stems from an increased awareness of both myself an others around me. I think any type of mediation would do this - whether it is praying the rosary, breath focused sitting, or yoga.

    As far as weight loss, though I'm no poster child, I believe yoga helped me become more aware of what I put into my body and how full I am. For example: I no longer want sweets in the afternoon because I discovered they were making me tired.

    Hope that helps.
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    My sister does yoga as her only workout I think, but my yoga practice is in addition to my other exercise classes. I mainly do it for balance and stretch (flexability).
  • cantobean
    cantobean Posts: 287 Member
    It definitely builds strength. Sometimes, I feel more exhausted than after lifting!

    It has increased my flexibility. I still can't touch my toes, but I'm much more flexible than I was before!

    I'm more aware of the tension in my body. I can feel my joints get tight and I now have poses I practice to relieve this. This makes me feel so much more relaxed, especially in the winter when our joints tend to get really tense.

    It's a great time to focus on myself, to relax, to invest in my own wellness and not think about work/relationships/etc.

    I wouldn't say I'm "good" at yoga. Been practicing it for a year, and I'm still a beginner. It's still really difficult for me every time. But it slowly gets a tiny bit easier, a bit more relaxing, and more beneficial, I think, every time I do it.
  • Umpire57
    Umpire57 Posts: 389 Member
    Supposed to improve felexiablity, but I dont bend that way :-)

    I did not either when I started.

    People say I can't do Yoga cause I am not flexible. The truth is, you are not flexible because you don't do Yoga.

    It has helped me in all areas of my fitness. My first time, I stumbled, jumped could not balance with one foot 1" off the ground without holding a wall. I bent and could barely get below my knees. etc. Now, all that has improved by leaps and bounds and one of my instructors is actually using me to show the class the "advanced" way. :)

    I do 2-3 classes a week at the gym and then once or twice a week at home at night in addition to my normal morning workouts. Many times I sweat more in a power Vinyasa session than I do in some of my intense Cardio workouts.
  • pucenavel
    pucenavel Posts: 972 Member
    Yoga makes me stretchier
  • Lizmhoughton
    Lizmhoughton Posts: 92 Member
    I started yoga when I was having knee problems and had to stop running and doing other cardio. I started with the hot yoga. I LOVE it! I'm not as disciplined right now, but will be back on track after Christmas. It increased my flexibility a lot! It also strengthened my entire body. After 6 months of yoga as my only workout I started running again. I was actually a much stronger runner even though I had a long break from it. I also read somewhere that people that do yoga are more mindful of what they put into their bodies and that's why they usually look and are so physically fit. I can't wait to get back into a routine!

    I find that 3-4 times a week is best for me. I can't do it too many days in a row because it wears you out more than you think. I can do 2 days in a row, but the 3rd I am usually worthless, lol. Maybe start with 2-3 times a week. As someone else said, I would go to a studio. They're more advanced and they can give you more direction. Studios aren't cheap but usually your 1st month is only $50 for new members. It'll give you a better background at least.
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