TGKvr Member

I'm working on crow - can't seem to hold it for more than a few seconds. I think my focus is off and my hand placement perhaps not quite right. Bird of Paradise is one of my favorite poses... took me about 6 months to be able to transition smoothly and hold the pose for a full 5-10 breaths, depending on the day. I'm still…

Welcome! I'm just returning after a loooooong hiatus! Looking for inspiration/motivation since I've fallen off the wagon. How often do you practice? I'm getting back on track and working on 3 days a week in a group setting and 3 days a week at home, leaving me one rest day. I'm so happy to return to yoga - I feel so…

I haven't been able to hold Bird of Paradise on the new floors at the studio... practice, practice... :) I think I really need to move up a level in my classes, so I can practice some inversions and arm balances in a class setting.

I would agree that I've never heard of bulk as a side effect of yoga. If anything, it's completely the opposite: it develops nice long and lean muscles.

To expand on my goal of splits... I really want to be able to deepen my wide legged seated forward fold. I can get my forearms down, but I can't quite hinge from the hips to be flat on the floor, and I can't get my legs any wider than what looks like a pizza slice. :) One thing I've noticed recently is the surface on which…

First, hi everyone! I haven't signed on here in months. Hope everyone is doing great! Second... boy do I hear ya with the knees! I started practicing a little over a year ago, and essentially I started as a supplement to physical therapy (I also had knee surgery). I believe that yoga has been the BEST thing for my knees!…

I was always interested in yoga, but never seemed to commit to actually trying it. About a year and a half ago, I had a knee injury and had surgery. Some of the things we did in PT were yoga based. After I healed from that injury, I had ANOTHER injury in my OTHER knee... I was able to avoid surgery, but still had extensive…

My typical routine is to get home from work, get on the stationary bike to warm up my legs, then I might do some strength training such as squats and lunges (really focusing on leg strength). After that I will wind down with about 30 minutes of yoga. Often, because of the timing and depending on how late I get home, I will…

While I didn't mention these in my previous post, I've had a few goals that I finally reached last night! The first, sort of basic and silly really, was to be able to keep my heels on the ground in down dog. The last few weeks of my practice, I've had moments where my heels have touched and it was pretty exciting (haha!).…

Perhaps try using props to alleviate pressure? Also, you could modify down dog to Dolphin by using your forearms instead of palms. I'd suggest trying a different type of yoga practice for a little while and see if that helps - maybe Ashtanga is too intense for you right now? At least it would rule something out if you try…

I thought it was cute! :)

I think Vinyasies (hehe) are a mix of artist and athlete... But in truth, I see a little bit of all of those in my own practice.

Welcome, Pam! No worries, some of us are beginners here! Any goal for any pose is worthy and admirable... the point is you are continuously improving your practice, at any level. :)

Hmm... I think I have a few goal poses. I'd like to do crow for more than a few seconds, and move into side crow and/or crane. I'd also like to be able to increase my splits - meaning the distance I can comfortably separate my legs. :) I also hope to improve the way I transition through certain poses.

I will say you did the right thing by walking away when you did, and cutting off further contact. I would say you did the wrong thing by spending so much time with her after class and allowing things to get so personal. Now at first if you didn't realize she had a husband, that's understandable. At the point you discovered…

Moved me to tears. :)

I don't know... I feel the classes I attend which don't chant (I do different classes, some do some don't) are still full of spirituality. I feel connected and spiritual when there is no chanting... I've never had experience with chant, but I have with prayer - prayer is more silent. Maybe that's why it feels more genuine…

Do you dislike music throughout the entire class or just savasana? One other thing I really like is in the beginning of each class, she asks us all what we want to work on and if there are any particular areas / poses on which we'd like to focus. It makes me feel like our opinions and wishes are valuable, and she's not…

Yikes, that sounds like a terrible experience! And stepping on your mat to help another student... I just.. It baffles me.

I'm not a fan of chanting. It feels... false. Like I'm just a pretender. I much prefer ending my class with a simple silent appreciation, and perhaps just "Namaste". I also love incense, but not in class. Not sure why, but it throws me off somehow. Like I said in the other thread, I enjoy the readings that my teacher does…

I have two main teachers, depending on the class I'm available for time-wise. I agree with everything that's been said already but I'll add: *One teacher does a reading, either before class or just entering savasana, and it's just a short poem or excerpt that is just really positive and uplifting. She has a lovely voice,…

Hey folks! It's been a while since I've visited! @OP: YES! You can modify any pose to suit your abilities. I had knee injuries, and started yoga after I was finished with PT. I really wish I started it years ago! I know it's made a huge difference in my leg strength, and has been nothing but great for my knees. When I…

Haha!!! I don't think I'm close to ready for that! I've only been practicing now for about 4 or 5 months, so I'm sure teacher training is far out of my skill league at this time. However, I do find that the asanas come very natural to me. Perhaps climbing, slacklining, and riding horses all my life has developed my balance…

Which thread is enraging the bulls? I could read a little drama today. :)

I'm amazed at the muscles I've built since practicing yoga. My arms have never been buffer! :) I also really think it has been a huge factor in my recovery from knee injuries. The crunchiness, while still there, is much less now. And I can do real pushups, ha! I think for a full body workout, you can't beat yoga. The…

I have been largely unsuccessful getting going in the morning. I think I'm just not cut out for morning yoga, since I've only managed it a handful of times ever! I like do incorporate my practice in between getting off work and dinner... Still, I wish I could find the motivation to get my butt out of bed earlier!

Hey folks, it's been a little while since I've signed on to the site. I've been continuing my practice... I am doing my regular vinyasa class tonight (yay!), and a yin/yang class on Thursday. I've been doing anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour every day, plus cardio (bike) and some weights. Depends on the day. I have had a…

Well I finally did it. I woke up early today and managed to get in about 20 minutes of yoga. I wish I could have done more, but hey I guess I have to start somewhere. It felt great, as I was a bit tight and a teeny bit sore from my 90 minute flow class last night. Which, by the way... I managed a headstand! By myself! It…

I really liked this vid... she has a really pleasant voice, and gives some good pointers throughout. Perfect length for when you don't have an hour to spend... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iskyDKzaq2k

I really wish this group was more active. :(