yoginimary Member

I would say you could use a book as well, but it's best to go to a teacher. Here are some yoga styles: http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/165

Find a good teacher that would give you modifications, that's where I would start.

Whole group of yoga lovers: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/1484-generic-yoga-group

Welcome! Thinking the following has helped me: There will always be someone who can do the pose better, hold it longer - and always someone who isn't able to do as well as you do. Doing a better pose, doesn't make me a better person. A home practice helps a lot. You have to figure out why you are doing the poses, which is…

There are a ton of yoga studios near The Woodlands. I would suggest you try a few classes and see what you think. Try at least a couple of different styles. Most studios offer the first class for free.

"Yoga" and "Hatha Yoga" are the same thing in Western terms (all physical yoga in the is "Hatha Yoga"). I would try both classes and see which you like better. If that isn't possible, read about the teachers and see which one appeals to you or which one has more training. Best of luck to you.

I actually went to a yoga workshop where the teacher checked her phone multiple times during class. I never went back to her!

As an instructor, the main thing that irks me is when people leave in savasana - I'm ok with them leaving before, but not during. This doesn't happen at the yoga studio, just at the gym where I teach. The phone thing bothers me, but I find most people just go turn it off. I've had mine go off in class too :laugh: Also, if…

For lying down on your side, you should be able to tilt your weight forward and come off of your hip joint. If you let me know which yoga poses you are doing on your knees that hurt, I can give you an alternative pose. For example: if you are doing ustrasana (camel pose), you can do dhanurasana (bow pose) instead. They are…

I do yoga everyday. Many people in this group do. I will occasionally take a day off either because of time constraints or I've hurt myself. For me, during the times I don't do yoga (say on vacation with someone who doesn't do yoga), I get more easily stressed. I miss the openness and focus it gives me. In fact, when…

Great job

Great idea. I also keep track of my practice.

You could go to a few classes and that would give you an idea of which style you like. Most studios offer the first class for free. You are more likely to stick with yoga if you go to classes (I know some people stick with yoga just doing videos, I'm just saying it's more likely) You could check out your local library and…

Yes, quite a bit.

I agree, you should use blocks. The tightness is probably not in your knees, although you may feel it there. It is more likely in your hip/buttock area - also possibly from running.

One of my favorite teachers, does not look like a bean pole at all: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvjKXcTlMHc

Styles of yoga: http://life.gaiam.com/article/beginners-guide-8-major-styles-yoga That will help you choose which one is right for you. I wouldn't take the linked test though, it's just silly.

I'm get lightheaded if I don't eat enough - and inversions and deep backbends can make it worse. I usually have a snack about an hour before class. A piece of fruit or similar. Usually it takes me about 3 hours to digest a normal meal, so I need to plan this around class. I have found that going for a short walk will help,…

Yep, could be something new - like an inner ear thing, so I agree, you should have it checked out. Could be you're under stress or maybe you're not getting enough sleep. Could be you've forgotten how to do them - sometimes the body forgets, then when we can't do tree pose one day, there is more anxiety about it the next…

The same way you would get them up for regular headstand, elbow balance, or handstand. Have to make sure they are strong enough first though.

It is difficult to get a good calorie burn from a short period of yoga, like you would from running. So you'll have to be careful with the calorie counting if you want to lose weight.

Let me know what you come up with - I'm interested to see if you can stretch and flex a muscle when the muscle is stretched to it's fullest.

Yes - depends what you want out of your exercise program. There are plenty of people I know that only do yoga for exercise and they are in great shape. You can lose weight without doing any exercise at all, if you're diet is right. Find a diet that works for you - one you can stick with for the longest period of time.

I think what we are both talking about is: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PNF_stretching but we are going about it different ways. In hanumanasana, you are pulling the front heel toward the buttock, which has some effect on the hamstring, but I would say it mostly levels the pelvis.…

I'm saying contract the antagonist, not the muscle you are stretching. You contract the quads when you stretch the hamstrings as in uttanasana. You contract the hamstring when stretching the quad as in ardha bhekasana. If you were to contract the hamstring, you would have to bend the leg.

This is why you contract the quads when stretching the hamstrings. Or contract the abductors when stretching the adductors. You'll get a more complete stretch if you contract the antagonist muscle of the one you are stretching. You will also get to work that muscle. You can also contract the muscle you are about to…

You could post this in the yoga group to get more people to join: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/1484-generic-yoga-group I do yoga everyday :happy:

Great question. Home: I learn more about my practice and my tendencies at home. I can choose my own sequence and work on the stuff I need to work on. Home practice is the time to go inward, it's more meditative. Disadvantage: I can be lazy at times. Studio/class: I will do poses that I tend to forget about in my home…

For more yoga talk, join this group: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/1484-generic-yoga-group

Handstand! Subject to change though.