Need some advice about yoga please!

I like Gaiam yoga and pilates videos. The beginner ones always have the proper modifications. It is important that you attend a proper class to make sure you are using and learning proper form so you don't hurt yourself. Check out pilates too! It tones and shapes your body relatively quickly and helps eliminate the left over saggy spots! My arms, hips and inner thighs look great again!

All yoga poses can be modified to your fitness level and or mood. Only go as far in the pose as your body feels good doing. NEVER try to go further. Remember the teacher has been doing this for a long time.

Keep going and over time you will notice improved flexability. I love yoga!

Namaste, Kristine

i have paresis brachial. my spine is not straight so i'm not able to do all poses in yoga, but my yogini always shows me what can i do instead and she teaches me what poses are best for improvement. good luck!

A good yoga instructor will let you modify poses as you need to. Bad yoga instructors come over and try to force your body into the position. I'd have a chat with the yoga instructor and tell him/her your concerns and limitations.

I have rheumatoid arthritis and struggle with fatigue issues. I've been practicing Yoga for over 10 years now and just got my certification last year to teach. Remember it's not a race or a competition. Yoga is your experience in your own body. You have your own edge and your own abilities. If you show up and just breathe, you're doing Yoga. And some days, that's all you've got. Your teacher should offer modifications. My studio offers a bliss type class that is slower and focuses on flexibility in the hips and shoulders...separate from flow classes that focus more on muscular energy. Yoga is the best place for you to be. Believe me. I never feel more energized than when I'm on the mat. Good luck to you!

A good instructor will be watching the class to see who is struggling and who is not getting enough out of the pose, and she/ he should automatically show some variations to accomodate all needs. Also, remember that every day is different. What you could do one day easily may be a struggle the next. Just focus on enjoying the moment and accepting your body where it is at that moment in time. Over a few weeks, months or even years you will begin to see amazing improvements.

Agreed. And definitely talk to the teacher to make him.her aware.

Something that helped me is remembering that it's not a competition. I don't think I've ever seen competitive yoga...

My first instructor taught us to leave our ego at the door. Not only is every day different for you, as Missklara stated, but every person is different, so it's important to remember to try not to compare yourself to the person next to you. Your practice should be about you and your body's abilities. If you can't keep up, it's better to honor your body by sitting in childs pose for a few breaths instead of pushing yourself. A good teacher will encourage you to honor your body in your practice.

Ok my friend, here is my advice. I have extremely severe fibro exacerbated by a parasite I contracted many years ago. The parasite was an extremely rare one & I went to 13 doctors, from all over the US, until it was finally diagnosed. After 18 months, it had permanently damaged every system in my body, so the Docs at Duke, Emory, and specialists from Hawaii to NYC tell me I'm the worst case they've ever seen. I have been working hard to develop a healthy lifestyle of balanced diet & regular exercise, and have recently added yoga into my regular routine. It's probably one of the best things people with fm can do, other then swimming.

I have a couple of questions, in order to best help you. Since you are writing through myfitnesspal, are you overweight, trying to lose weight, or just using it as a way to track your food, water & exercise? Do you do any other exercise, besides the yoga? And if so, how much per day/per week.? How mobile are you -- do you need assistance with your daily care, cooking, driving? Do you have any problems with balance/fall easily?

I ask all of this because your answers will help me tell you just how much yoga you can do, in intensity & time spent per session. No matter what, just know that yoga, with a good instructor (i.e. one who explains the positions slowly & clearly AND describes how to do each one as a beginner & as you imrove your strength & balance,) will DEFINATELY help.l

As a yoga instructor, I think it's wonderful that you have begun to discover the benefits and healing that yoga can offer - especially to those with special needs and physical limitations. Yoga offers a space for us to have the physical experience of exercise for those who may not be able to "work out" in many other ways. My word of caution is to know what type of class you are taking - yoga means different things to different people and what I consider a beginners class could be much different than what others (even other instructors) would consider to be so. Given your physical limitations and that you are new to yoga, I would stick with classes that say "gentle" or "slow flow" or "level 1 hatha." It sounds like the class you are already taking is a beginners class. Can you be more specific as to what you are looking for?

I would also recommend finding an experienced, knowledgable instructor and communicate all of your concerns with them up front. I would even ask them questions about the class before you go. They should be able to assess if it is an appropriate level and perhaps give you modifications for more challenging sequences. A really good teacher may even offer hands-on assists and adjustments if that is something you are comfortable with.

My number one piece of advice is to listen to your own body and honor your limitations. Don't try to push yourself beyond what is available to you at the time - even if the instructor is asking you to do so. Yoga is about so much more than the physical postures and I think if you stick with it and keep an open mind you will find your body is able to do much more than you ever imagined and you will reap many rewards beyond physical strength and endurance. Good luck!