thoughts on yoga?

all_smilz

i've started yoga and wondered what the general consensus on this is?
i am finding it fairly strenuous but in a good way but not been doing it long enough to notice a difference....

CheeseBomb

heya,
Yoga is great for toning, strength and its relaxing at the same time.
If you have extra weight (And I'm not saying you do!!!) you won't really see results unless you diet n do some cardio too.
It'll strengthen your core (alot of teachers incorporate pilates core moves espically for the tummy) which will improve your posture and it does improve your mood.
I found when I started that my muscles hurt alot, way more than from sports training!!! My boyfriend was slagging me saying its only a few stretches but its so much more than that.
I found it hard not to compete with others in the class to stretch further, hold longer but eventually that doesn't feature in you head anymore mostly cause you focus completely on what you are doing.
I don't attend a class anymore (I plan to go back but I've sort of put it on the long finger) but the odd time I pull out the yoga mat and pull a few shapes.
Cat to downdog repeated over and over is great if you are feeling bloated.

yeah so yoga is great!

all_smilz

ok, cool, i thought that it'd be real good alright. i walk and am trying to get back into a gym program and sometimes i swim and watch what i eat.... i figured yoga would be a nice way to get some activity in but i found it way more challenging that i had imagined but its soooooo enjoyable at the same time!

CheeseBomb

yeah they say there is a yoga high. Just feel so relaxed, kinda fuzzy sensation after a session.

bored@workagain

its brillant i come from a soccer and gaa backgound and started it in 05, the worst i ever felt leaving any physical activity was a intense run through of every move but walkin home i felt like i was strech armstrong i felt 2 inchs taller i really could advise it more but two thing i would be wary about
1. get a good teacher not 2 arty farty and into the whole candles and sh#t, but one who is still knowlegable in the whole idea of yoga.(he has told us bout this class in UCD 150 ppl banging out poses with no one teaching really
2. be honest with ur poses , it can hurt twice as bad if da teacher moves ur back a fraction(like i said a good teacher will no when ur tryin 2 cheat)
enjoy it really is that good even thou im rubbish

itsallaboutheL

:pac::pac:I'll be honest i rarely think about yoga........ and when i do it's in an entirely none fitness related way;)

Transform

what type of yoga are you doing and where

Khannie

all_smilz wrote: »

i've started yoga and wondered what the general consensus on this is?
i am finding it fairly strenuous but in a good way but not been doing it long enough to notice a difference....

I think if you enjoy it (and it sounds like you do) then that's enough. As you said, it's extra activity and that's a good thing. I did some yoga in college and really enjoyed it. I'll probably get back to it when I stop the Thai boxing.

Hail 2 Da Chimp

Khannie wrote: »

I'll probably get back to it when I stop the Thai boxing.

I'm actually thinking of taking a few classes myself to help with the MMA, I find it very hard to stretch out and stay flexible when I get a bad leg kick, etc... So I think some dedicated time towards stretching might be just the ticket.
But in terms of fitness I don't believe Yoga alone would be what I'm looking for - as mentioned before Yoga won't burn near as many calories as a cardio workout. So in terms of weight managment Yoga alone doesn't cut it.

all_smilz

Transform wrote: »

what type of yoga are you doing and where

i do yoga in two different places... one is a gentle (ish) more spiritual environment with a LOT of focus on breath i think its called flow yoga

the other i signed up to at my gym*which i was at last night and its a little faster and more strenuous.

all_smilz

Hail 2 Da Chimp wrote: »

I'm actually thinking of taking a few classes myself to help with the MMA, I find it very hard to stretch out and stay flexible when I get a bad leg kick, etc... So I think some dedicated time towards stretching might be just the ticket.
But in terms of fitness I don't believe Yoga alone would be what I'm looking for - as mentioned before Yoga won't burn near as many calories as a cardio workout. So in terms of weight managment Yoga alone doesn't cut it.

Well its not just stretching...... but i take your poing about calories...
I figured it wouldnt be a high calorie burner but I am telling you the way i feel this morning, I can really feel all the muscles in my body....
I walk and swim once or twice a week and then i have the two yoga sessions and i am now trying to do my combined cardio and resistance sessions in the gym, so i think its a good variety...

Khannie

all_smilz wrote: »

Well its not just stretching...... but i take your poing about calories...

I don't think that's hugely important. I think the fact that you're enjoying it is the biggest thing. You're a hell of a lot more likely to continue with exercise that you enjoy. Also, if you're stiff today, that's a good sign that you're getting a decent workout.