[Eva_Star]

I hope that I am posting in the right place....

I am beginning a yoga practice. I plan on doing this at least once a day, Does anyone else do yoga here? What kind? There seem to be A LOT of different kinds of yoga out there. I'm hoping yoga will help with my stress level and improve my overall health. Any success stories?

Thank you!

[Love&Toil]

Hi Eva, good for you for doing something to help yourself. I hope you feel the benefits of yoga practice right away. I am only doing an intro dvd but it's better than nothing. Listening to some meditation music as I type trying to soothe and rally myself.

[Eva_Star]

Oh I'm definitely a beginner too. I'm glad that no one is watching me when I do it. I'm sure it's quite the sight. lol I'm doing some Kundalini Yoga workouts I found on youtube. It's quite different that the yoga I've seen before but I really like it so far.

Youtube has some cool meditations. I'm a terrible meditator but am working on quieting my brain.

Let me know if you find anything you really like...I'm open to new suggestions.

[tony fudo]

Hi Eva.

I have been doing yoga for the best part of ten years, and it works for me.

One of the reasons there are so many types of yoga is because people use it for different things. Many of the newer, more dynamic styles are more directed towards physical fitness than the more traditional styles, which are more directed towards the mind, or the spirit.

I would definitely recommend finding a teacher, if you can. Avoiding over straining and injury is paramount. However, there is a mass of stuff online and in the bookshops.

I have developed a technique that is directed towards what I want to achieve personally, and most people end up doing this, though I still drop in and take the occasional yoga class. Another person can more easily see where your technique needs improvement. You will always be learning.

I use yoga for fitness, posture, and to keep the body supple, but my main drive is to help deal with depression. I spent years suffering from this, drank heavily, took drugs, did therapy, took antidepressants. Only yoga has worked, and that is why I stick to it. That, and they fact that I enjoy doing it. The ritual is engrained in my life.

How much to do? I do a lot. A quarter hour warm up, about 45 mins practice, and a short warm down, so something over an hour a day, and this is about how long a class takes, but don't worry. You would probably start at about 30 minutes. The golden rule is to take it very, very easy. If you have any doubts, just back off. Its a marathon, not a sprint. Its about how you will be next year, not next week.

Well, good luck. Go for it. I hope it works for you.

[Eva_Star]

Thank you! This is very encouraging. I'm having a hard time making myself stick to with it..to do it every day. But that is the way I am with everything, so it's no surprise. I will keep at it and hope that it will become a habit...one that actually brings GOOD things to my life!

[tony fudo]

I make the whole experience as pleasurable as I can to motivate me to do it. I have a place with nice pictures, that I frequently change. I also bring a rock or branches from trees to decorate my 'dojo'. I light a candle and a joss stick before the session. Play really nice, relaxing music. Make a ceremony or ritual of the whole thing on a daily basis. Just make it a really nice thing that I enjoy doing, and reap the benefits. Make it aesthetically pleasing, a chance to be creative, and fun, not a boring chore.

[Verity81]

What type of yoga would be best for stretching the muscles and improving flexibility. I get so stiff and sore now days, I don't want to get old before my time!

[tony fudo]

Learning 'Sun Salutation' routine is a good place to start. Research online/ utube etc.

By far the easiest, and in many ways the best and safest route, is to attend some beginners classes. Don't worry about being out of condition. Yoga is not competitive. It's about accepting where you are, and making manageable changes. Your teacher understands this. If they don't, find another teacher.

Ten years ago, I was starting to seize up. Last week I put my back out with a radical new break dance move. Honest!