baker23 Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 I have been debating whether to sign up for yoga or not. I have a very physically demanding job, and it is taking a toll on my body. I need a good stretch technique, and I feel like yoga might help with that. I also want to just get lean and toned, but a yoga membership is so expensive. Do any of you practice yoga on a regular basis? How many times a week do you practice? What benefits have you seen? Has it help relieved daily stress? Thanks for your input. Link to post Share on other sites
iouaname Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Yes, I practice regularly. I started it as a coping mechanism for dealing with my breakup, and I've been doing it for about a year now. I love it! As far as benefits, I've noticed a lot of strengthening and toning, improved balance and posture, and of course increased flexibility. It's also lowered my blood pressure and just improved my mood overall. I would -- and do -- recommend it. Link to post Share on other sites
Always Pondering Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 I've only taken a yoga class during my first year of college where we met up 2-3 times a week. So since it was only two semesters, I can't really speak much. The increase in flexibility is great and it really made me feel good. It made me happier for the most part and relieved all and any stress I got during that same day. I also got to meet a lot of nice people but maybe because I was the only guy in the class . I would recommend it yes. Link to post Share on other sites
angel.eyes Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Another fan! I've practiced 2-3x/ week for almost nine years. It's fantastic. Great for strength, balance, posture, general flexibility, and stress relief. When I first started, I thought the initial meditation to prepare for the day's practice and the meditation at the end to prepare you for the rest of the day were total hokum, and I often skipped them. I've come to appreciate that they're really critical to the overall endeavor. Link to post Share on other sites
dichotomy Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 (edited) I am a mild user of yoga - usually once week. I am a big guy, so not exactly yoga material, but I find it very beneficial physical and emotionally. I have attended some classes here and there - and may try some again, but prefer to do it at home. I found sometimes even classes promoted as "basic" or "beginner" were actual full of people that were 7 year students doing moves that I consider intermediate or advanced. I found a yoga DVD that I really like and works for beginners and is focused on helping specific "health issues". Link below. Also loved that on amazon I could find over-sized mats Amazon.com: Yoga for Beginners Boxed Set (Yoga for Stress Relief / AM-PM Yoga for Beginners / Essential Yoga for Inflexible People): Michael Wohl: Movies & TV Edited May 24, 2014 by dichotomy Link to post Share on other sites
regine_phalange Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Im doing yoga every day for about 20 minutes. I started only some months ago (around january). It has helped with back pain and is very rejuvenating. Since I started it I stopped being an emotional eater. Sometimes I go to class, but daily I just do youtube videos, there is a nice selection. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author baker23 Posted May 24, 2014 Author Share Posted May 24, 2014 Thanks to all of you for your input. I've really been considering signing up to a class for a few months, and once I know how to do the moves properly, then do it on my own. Thanks guys; I'll let you know how it goes. Link to post Share on other sites
angel.eyes Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 I personally enjoy classes. The teacher typically makes minor adjustments in your form, which makes a world of difference. Take classes if you can. Link to post Share on other sites
Ninjainpajamas Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 I've never used them, but I'd recommend a chiropractor...I've worked a very physical job with heavy lifting, and lots of physical activity and a lot of the guys I worked with swore by them...for myself I just need a good bed, a good nights rest and maybe a salt bath to rest in. Link to post Share on other sites
ja123 Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 There are a lot of different types of yoga. I'm not sure which is the best for increasing flexibility, but that's what I need. Any suggestions? Link to post Share on other sites
michellew Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 (edited) If you can find a good yoga studio, it's totally worth it! I tried yoga years ago at a chain type gym; it was okay. I didn't know what I was missing until I recently (March) tried a yoga studio dedicated strictly to different types of yoga classes, with some of the best instructors in town. I can't afford a monthly membership, so I treat myself to one drop-in class a week ($14/class). After trying the different classes they offer, hot yoga has become my preferred type! Who knew working out in a 100° room, soaking in sweat, would feel so good! I don't go enough to notice major changes in body tone, but I have noticed that my regular CrossFit workouts have improved significantly! Yoga is a great supplement to them and a nice way to unwind at the end of the week. I have a friend that does yoga 6-7 times a week and looks freaking awesome! I thought she did weight training or something, but she said she only does yoga and follows a good diet. Most places will let you try a class for free. The place I went to offered a cheap rate ($20) for a week's worth of classes so that you can try the different types of yoga they have to offer. It's worth looking into. Edited May 27, 2014 by michellew Link to post Share on other sites
Priv Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 Started a little while ago and so far have only been to 8 classes or so of ashtanga yoga. Reason is the same as iouaname; coping. Defintely helps me get in the 'now', increasing mindfulness (in class and a little while after) and I enjoy the classes. I just go in with an attitude of 'going for it', even participating in the chanting. Health wise I am not totally convinced. But I am fully aware I just started and might give another answer next year. But I don't see myself getting stronger doing it and that's fine, not why I am going. I powerlift and some sometimes a bit of olympic lifting, so yoga is a bit redundant. The instructor also clearly does not have a sports degree (which I don't expect a yoga instructor to have), for example talking about lengthening and toning muscles and other widely spread misbeliefs. What I am a bit dissapointed about is so far I don't feel like getting more flexible, but like I said only just started and the above sports already demand quite a bit of flexibility. Balance is definitely being trained, and hopefully better posture as long term effect. My conclusion in my narrow experience and with only 1 type of yoga, if you are already fit since you have a physcally demanding job and you are just going to do it to get lean and a bit more flexible there are more efficient methods. If you enjoy the history behind it and the meditation aspects as well as some health benefits go for it. Link to post Share on other sites
GemmaUK Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 I love yoga! I used to do it on and off a few years ago and recently decided to take it up again. I'm doing home practice and have never actually been to a class. Yoga classes never existed in my area back when I first started doing it so I self taught through books and dvds. Even now having had a look there is only one class I could get to in my area. Yoga makes me feel amazing and no other exercise makes me feel as good as yoga does. It's great for strength, balance and posture and perfect for de-stressing too. You simply can't be stressed while doing it as you have to concentrate on what you're doing and to continue improving in the asanas. I practice at least 20 minutes every day and what level I do just depends on how I feel. This morning for instance I didn't want to get out of bed so I did my practice in bed just to wake me up and get me going. Other days I'll do anywhere between 20 minutes and 2 hours. Tara Stiles on youtube has a good set of beginners videos, you could give those a try before paying out for a class. I've taken things right back to beginner level for me and I dip into her videos as well as dvds I have at home. Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 I have been debating whether to sign up for yoga or not. I have a very physically demanding job, and it is taking a toll on my body. I need a good stretch technique, and I feel like yoga might help with that. I also want to just get lean and toned, but a yoga membership is so expensive. Do any of you practice yoga on a regular basis? How many times a week do you practice? What benefits have you seen? Has it help relieved daily stress? Thanks for your input. I've never gone to a Yoga class but I do yoga at home or at a friends house. There are some wonderful DVD's, so try that if you don't want to take a class. This way you can do it anytime you're home, in the morning before work or before bed. Link to post Share on other sites
deathandtaxes Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 I usually take a class two times a week. Yoga is such a wonderful practice. You will get a lot out of it if you put a lot into it. What do I get out of it? A sense of knowing my body. A sense of being centered. And some added flexibility! Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 I found yoga boring. For stress I like resistance training or brisk walking outside to clear my head. To each his or her own! Link to post Share on other sites
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