yoga

[Tiggeroo]

does anybody on here take yoga classes. Can a pooh sized out of shape person start yoga or do I need to get in better shape first?
I just found out I have spinal arthritis and that is responsible for alot of the pain I've been having. One of the best things i can do is to increase my flexibility. Our community center has classes that i've been thinking about doing.

 

[Pop Daddy]

anybody could take yoga, you just sit aorund and hum dont ya

 

[budbeerlady]

I love my yoga class. But you could maybe borrow (or rent) a yoga dvd to give it a try first. Then you dont have to commit to a class if it doesnt work for you. All the beginning positions are different body sizes friendly. The best thing about yoga is you do what you can and slowly build up your strength. (And I am about any exercise that doesnt break a sweat and lets you lay in the dark for 10 min at the end!!!!!!)

 

[The Mystery Machine]

No a pooh size, out of shape person cannot jump into classes like that. You could injure yourself. Learn how to stretch first. That is very important!! Then move onto walking & basic exercise.

Yoga is an addition to an exercise program.

The problem I have found is that all "Beginning" yoga is not the same. Some are harder than others. I would ask to sit in a class or watch it first before you sign up.

How about water yoga or water classes first??? Go easy on yourself as a beginner.

 

[ckay87]

I've been afraid to try yoga because I am not flexible at all. I don't think I could do even the most basic moves.

Could you take a look at Pilates? I took a beginners class and it was challenging but not impossible. It improves your strength AND flexibility. Find a beginners class, though, because more advanced it can be quite difficult. We had a wonderful, gentle, instructor.

 

[salmoneous]

"Yoga" cover a whole lot of territory. Some classes would be flat-out dangerous for an out of shape Pooh-sized person. Others would make a great first step towards getting in better shape.

Get in touch with the class instructor and find out what they think. They know the kind of people in the classes and what thay are put through.

But keep in mind that many yoga postions are going to be hard/impossible for a pooh sized person to do. That's not necessarily a problem. Other than the very experienced, most people people have some problems. The value is in trying to get as close to the ideal as your body will allow. Just keep in mind it may be mentally frustrating.

 

[pearlieq]

No a pooh size, out of shape person cannot jump into classes like that.

I disagree strongly. A beginning yoga class taught by a competent instructor is fine for any body type or fitness level.

Every pose has varying degrees of intensity and can be adapted. If the instructor moves the class into a pose you find too challenging, don't be afraid to drop out of it and just focus on your breathing until the class moves on. You can also use blocks or straps to help get you into a pose and to support you while you're there.

You'll need to be conscientious about monitoring how your body feels and what you're capable of trying, but there's no reason you should stay away. Everyone has to start somewhere!

Good luck and congrats on trying something new!

 

[Tiggeroo]

They have beginners yoga and beginners pilates. I thought yoga would be easier. I know I couldn't keep up in the aerobics classes. I've been walking 20-40 minutes a day for the past 6 weeks and have started tennis again, very lightly. I need something a little bit more but doable.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I disagree strongly. A beginning yoga class taught by a competent instructor is fine for any body type or fitness level.

You can disagree, but the OP said she is in pain and is out of shape. I am in OK shape and took a beginning class and it is not easy.

It would depend on the instructor which is why I said for her to check out the class first before going blindly into it.
That is all I am saying.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

They have beginners yoga and beginners pilates. I thought yoga would be easier. I know I couldn't keep up in the aerobics classes. I've been walking 20-40 minutes a day for the past 6 weeks and have started tennis again, very lightly. I need something a little bit more but doable.

It sounds like you could try it but neither is easy.

 

[RUDisney]

The onDemand cable box has yoga instructions that range from 12 - 30 minutes for beginners. You can try that if you have onDemand. Some beginner sessions are harder than others. I've tried the beginner pilates onDemand and I like the yoga better.

 

[ChibiJones]

PBS has a program called "Yoga for the Rest of Us". It is designed for people with various mobility problems. I haven't watched the whole thing, just bits and pieces while channel surfing. There were definitely pooh-sized people in the class. Maybe your library has it available for rental.

 

[milkabum]

Yoga is great, but if you think it's not for you try pilates

 

[JimFitz]

I was slightly "pooh sized" and started taking Bikram Yoga. It's worked woders for me and I practice 4 times a week. Look into it.

 

[iggbees]

i think pilates is way easier than yoga. i'm thin and totally unflexible and yoga hurt like crazy. i couldn't keep up with the rest of the class (thank god it was only for a semester in college). pilates for beginners is much easier. like i said, i'm not flexible, but i could handle the pilates no problem. the dvd that i have is pilates for weightloss by gaiam and its got 3 levels on it so that you can work your way up. the beginner version is pretty good, there are some strenuous moves, but most are pretty easy and tailored for people who aren't that flexible.