Yoga question

[Deleted]

I have been wanting to take yoga. I lift, take spinning but not flexible. How hard is it? I am nervous.

[hjohnson050711]

yoga can be as "easy" or as difficult as you make it. most instructors offer variations of each posture so you can find your "edge" without being in terrible pain. try it! you will get addicted

[interro]

Yoga is as easy or hard as you make it. A good instructor will be able to show you how to modify poses to fit your current level of ability. As you practice more you can push yourself more. Just remember to pay attention to your body and if it hurts (in more than a good "feel the burn" way) - back away, modify.

Also, don't worry about not being flexible. If you practice on a regular basis it will start to come sooner than you think!

[aurora]

I agree with the others. You'll be fine as long as you have a reasonably good instructor. I've only had one that didn't do a good job accommodating people at different levels, so if by chance you don't get a good one on the first try I'd recommend trying another.

[Wines Not Whines]

I'm not flexible at all, but I still love yoga. I think yoga is a mix of strength, balance, and flexibility. I can't bend myself into a pretzel like some of the other people in my classes, but I can do poses that require strength that they don't have. Most yoga studios have props (blocks and straps) that will help you modify poses due to lack of flexibility.

[babygirlpriest]

Here's my 2 cents based on my experience and observations only.

1. Yes. Yoga will be a bit more challenging if you aren't flexible. I've drug DH to a few classes with me and despite him being in MUCH better shape, I have an easier time in classes because of my flexibility (and experience in yoga).
2. Yes. You can absolutely take yoga without it being frustratingly hard simply because of flexibility issues.
3. If at all possible, take classes from a real yoga studio vs. say, the yoga class at a gold's gym or something. I'm sure some gyms have great teachers and classes, but I've found a studio experience is better for beginners. There's multiple classes to pick from and the studio will make recommendations as to which ones are best for you. In many gym classes it's an exercise series they are taught and not all teach the modifications. I'm shocked at the potentially harmful things I see newbies doing in my gym yoga class because the instructor isn't giving modifications for more difficult poses.
4. Arrive early and speak to the teacher. Tell him/her you're new to yoga. They'll probably ask a few questions about potential injuries, fitness, etc. and will remember to list easier modifications to accommodate you.

[Deleted]

I will add that my yoga and DH's physiotherapy seem remarkably similar. Doing yoga because you're not flexible is a great way to round out your fitness. A good teacher should be able to help you adapt the class to be challenging but not too frustrating.

[Deleted]

I usually recommend that people look for an Iyengar instructor. Inyengar's motto is "become comfortable in the pose" and emphasizes good form. Mr. Iyengar introduced the concept of blocks and straps to yoga and his main concern was to minimize injury. It's great for people who aren't very flexible or have any injuries.

Typical Asthanga Vinyasa yoga moves through the poses too quickly for beginners imo.

[HiC]

IMO, yoga is mostly about breathing and being aware of your body's limits every time you are on your mat....and your limits change daily. Flexibility will come in time as you practice more. Yoga isn't about bending, it's about breathing. There are modifications to every pose. If a pose doesn't feel good, modify or do something else. Find a basic/beginner class and try it. Don't be nervous, you'll probably really like it.

[justthetip]

It will be hard, but isn't that what you want? If I go to a yoga class that doesn't challenge me, I feel like I've wasted time I could've spent actually exercising. I agree with PP about trying to find a yoga studio and asking about beginner or intro classes if you've never done it before. Yoga is perfect 'cross-training' for me because it really works my core and balance, and helps me be in tune with my body. And I just plain enjoy it. I can't handle most of the gym 'stretch & relax' yoga classes, but I love power Vinyasa yoga.

I've also taken DH to classes a few times, and he has a more difficult time because he's not very flexible and rarely works on it. One of the things I see him and other students do that really bugs me is trying to go as deep into a pose as other people around you, but sacrificing form to do so. This is why an intro class is good, so that you learn basic alignment and what the pose should feel like. If you can only get halfway into the pose and need 2 blocks to do so, great! You will hurt yourself and/or not get any benefit from trying to make it look like other people's poses.

[justthetip]

Also, if you've never done yoga before, I would recommend using a large towel on your yoga mat if you have any sweating tendencies or it's a hot class. The first few times I went, I hated it and thought I was going to die because my hands & feet were sliding everywhere. Downward dog is supposed to be your 'resting' pose, but it can be the most challenging if you're slip 'n sliding.