[buzz bee]

Yoga for Bipolar Disorder - Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis

I want to do yoga, just haven't tackled it.

[hope2010]

Hi Buzz bee, I want to do yoga too, I would like to start as soon as I am done with a post surgery treatment. My sister has such a good results from her yoga session. Wish you well,
Alexia

[lilypup]

They offer yoga classes at my gym. I have heard it is good for bipolar. I need to get the courage to go. I don't know what to wear and don't want to invest in yoga clothes till I see if I like it. I also worry a bit about looking like a nut cause I cant do the poses. But I think that is just anxiety talking. Everyone was new once, right?
Hope you go and that it helps.

[sarahblue]

Originally Posted by lilypup

Everyone was new once, right?

EXACTLY.

Thanks for that link! I keep seeing studies on what yoga is good for. Apparently, it's good for pretty much everything.

I enjoy yoga when I practice it. It is very good for mindfulness and stress-reduction.

I wear stretch capris, a cotton sports bra, and a stretchy t-shirt that fits kind of tightly. You don't want your clothes to be too tight, but if you wear something loose-fitting, especially up top, you are likely to expose bits of yourself that you might not want to!

Ask about the classes. If you are just getting started, and are out of shape, you probably want to avoid "power" yoga. I'd shy away from Bikram too -- it's done in a high temperature room. I can't even imagine this!

I found a really great link that talks about the type of classes and also suggest what to wear: 4 Ways to Know What to Wear for Yoga - wikiHow

Oh, very important: talk to your instructor beforehand about any physical restrictions you may have. Some yoga instructors get "hands-on" helping you with poses. I had to shout "rotator cuff" to an instructor recently when she tried to "help" me stretch my arm a bit further.

Also, don't force yourself to do anything that feels uncomfortable. Push your body a bit, but if your body says no thank you then just do what feels comfortable.

Hope this helps. Good luck and enjoy!

Thanks for posting this. I took yoga class many years ago, but plan on taking a refresher class in late August. I think yoga is very helpful.

[Curiosity77]

I love yoga, but i haven't been practicing much lately. I feel way better when i do it, more calm, stronger, and more flexible. I recommend it for sure!

[lilypup]

Sarah, that was a very helpful website. Appreciate your post. Will try to get there next week.

[buzz bee]

Went tonight for the first time. The instructor was super awesome. She knew I was new and did the best at giving me the minimal and reminded everyone that we all have different needs and different boundary's. Basically do what your body will allow you to do and relax. I think I will like it. Nice not leaving the gym dripping with sweat.
.

[TheatreKid]

I love yoga. My favourite yoga class ever was bikram yoga, hot yoga. I felt so revitalized after that class. I haven't done much yoga lately but tried a video on my own a few days ago and was pretty sore the next day.

[pawn78]

Yoga is really great. I don't think it is special for bipolar or anything. But exercise is good for everyone, and especially for managing mood disorder.

Keep it up! Very inspiring topic.

[sarahblue]

buzz bee, that's great! You just took that plan and ran with it!

I'm supposed to go to my yoga class tomorrow -- hopefully I'll make it. It's at a studio, so they offer daily classes at different times, and I'm hoping to take advantage of that flexibility.

[buzz bee]

Is this thread still in the Bipolar forum? I didnt see it this morning