[Closed] Yoga - what do I need to know ?

No one minds if you fart.

Just avoid a follow though.

Yoga - what do I need to know ?

There, I think that's about it.

Find a class near you. If it's not convenient then you won't stick with it. I do hatha yoga. It seems well suited to beginners imo, although there's years of technique to perfect.

Good luck and enjoy it.

Obviously don't have a massive curry and beer session the night before.

Its not a competition.

Take it easy to begin with.

You will hurt the following morning.

A lot wont make any sense.

I have been going every week for about 10 years, being the only bloke for years, now the class has around 4-5. It works for me, but it can seem like hard work, and the relaxation part, I always fall asleep.

I took it up last year as had constant lower back pain that physio said was muscular but couldn't help with a long term fix.

I wasn't flexible, couldn't hold poses and generally thought I looked a bit of a cock doing it (probably do), but soon lost the self consciousness and settled into it. I enjoy it, for me it's more the physical rather than spiritual side, but I have been known to fall asleep at the end.

Give it a go!

Mañana Asana

mccraque has the yoga help alleviate the back pain? (sorry for the hijack op)

As above, find a class. I use the Yoga Studio app now, which is brilliant, but it's absolutely no substitute for a real person telling you what to do.

It will hurt and you will be tired.

You will feel like a berk.

You might be the only bloke.

@tuskaloosa - yes it's way better than before. It's not an overnight fix but over a month or so things are much less painful, tight etc.

Wear something you can tuck it into if all those women bending over in tight yoga pants gets too much.

Glad this has cropped up, I recently started following a cheap dvd but fancy joining a class now. I'm thinking that starting now might help with inevitable back pain later on, I'm not exactly flexible at the moment.

I found the following video a very easy introduction.

I took up yoga about 4 years for my back and to improve flexibility. I am a complete convert, it has massively helped my back and really helps with stress.

I do Iyengar which is a form of Hatha yoga, it allows gentle entry and progression, but can go beyond anything mortals will ever achieve.

My experience is that you really need to go to a class as you are very unlikely to get the asanas right without instruction. You will realise how crap you are when you first go but progression is smooth with a good teacher.

It is mainly women in the class, but not exclusively.

I spoke to our local sports centre about yoga classes. They asked me how flexible I was, I told them I couldn't do Thursdays.

Jokes aside

Oh.

(Also, apologies to Tim Vine.)

Good for balance, flexibility and strength as well as being good for the mind. There's several different types of yoga from the more relaxed to quite athletically demanding, so find out about the classes before you go.

I've been going to Iengar yoga classes once or twice a week for a couple of years now and find it very good for flexibility (though long way to go). Wished I'd started before 60! Our gym does other types of yoga as well and there is a variation between instructors and so it's worth trying out different classes/ instructors if available to see what suits you. Iengar seems to focus on getting the positions correct and therefore good use of muscles balance etc and no major emphasis on candle gazing chanting airy fairy stuff.

Cougar 😀

OP - remember yoga is not a competition and should never hurt. Too many classes/instructors have bastardised yoga to fit into "western" forms of exercise instead of the other way round.

if it hurts, you are doing it wrong

the key is BREATHING and most importantly EXHALING. In any stretch back off as soon as you feel any discomfort, relax, and then exhale - as if by magic you will find that you can extend the stretch. BUT do it SLOWLY and at YOUR pace. It is not a competition.

From cold, I cannot touch my toes, but by gradually exhaling as above, I can touch my toes within 90 seconds of starting and without pain or discomfort.

Oh, yes, people do fart and a childish as it is, it is very difficult not to laugh 😀 Ditto snoring when meditating!

Don't wear something too baggy, no one likes the sight of a belly popping out!

How much do you guys pay for yoga classes?

I do a yoga class in my gym every now and then. I would find it very hard to do it using an app or a video as the tips from an actual instructor are invaluable

£8 per 75min session. I block book 1/2 term at a time, otherwise it would be £10 per session. Better for commitment too if I block book.

Did my second session last night. Im hoping it will help a persistent nerve problem and help with general well being. I have to say it's very enjoyable and relaxing.
A couple I know organized it so it's a very small group(maximum 8) so we get quite a tailored session. This I find is excellent. It is quite expensive this way at £10 ago but none of us wanted to join a large session.
The group is 50/50 split between guys and gals.
I haven't felt self conscious at all and just got stuck in. Hope you enjoy it.

I'd echo what the others say

Take it easy on your first class

It will be difficult and You will ache after The first one.

By class 3 or 4 it all becomes much easier

trim your toe nails as you will spend a lot of time looking at them.

Buy your own mat as soon as possible (there cheep)

I pay £7 for an hour and a half but it's in a sports hall
So it's quite a if class.