Thread: Yoga

Thinking about taking up yoga as a low impact exercise.
Apparently it's really good for you and you get to check out loads of eye candy in the process.
Anyone on here partake in Yoga? If so, do you have any tips?

Originally Posted by Chittychangchang

Thinking about taking up yoga

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Colombian papillon

I'm expecting a fair bit of piss taking over this serious lifestyle change

Yoga is an ancient form of exercise that focuses on strength, flexibility and breathing to boost physical and mental wellbeing. The main components of yoga are postures (a series of movements designed to increase strength and flexibility) and breathing.

The practice originated in India about 5,000 years ago and has been adapted in other countries in a variety of ways. Yoga is now commonplace in leisure centres, health clubs, schools, hospitals and surgeries.

What are the health benefits of yoga?
Dozens of scientific trials of varying quality have been published on yoga.

While there's scope for more rigorous studies on its health benefits, most studies suggest yoga is a safe and effective way to increase physical activity, especially strength, flexibility and balance.

There's some evidence that regular yoga practice is beneficial for people with high blood pressure, heart disease, aches and pains – including lower back pain – depression and stress.

Does yoga count towards my 150 minutes of activity?
Most forms of yoga are not strenuous enough to count towards your 150 minutes of moderate activity, as set out by government guidelines.

However, yoga does count as a strengthening exercise, and at least 2 sessions a week will help you meet the guidelines on muscle-strengthening activities.

Activities such as yoga and tai chi are also recommended for older adults at risk of falls, to help improve balance and co-ordination.

Try our yoga workout videos in our Fitness Studio.

Can yoga help prevent falls?
Yes. Yoga improves balance by strengthening your lower body – particularly your ankles and knees – thereby reducing your chances of falling.

However, falls may sometimes be caused by a health condition, in which case it's a good idea to see your GP or visit a falls clinic at a local hospital.

Can yoga help with arthritis?
Yoga is popular with people with arthritis for its gentle way of promoting flexibility and strength.

Some research suggests yoga can reduce pain and mobility problems in people with knee osteoarthritis. However, some yoga moves are not suitable for people with the condition.

Find a teacher who understands arthritis and can adapt movements for individual needs, especially if you have replacement joints, and always check with a doctor or physiotherapist to find out if there are any movements to avoid.

Am I too old for yoga?
Definitely not. People often start yoga in their 70s, and many say they wish they had started sooner. There are yoga classes for every age group. Yoga is a form of exercise that can be enjoyed at any time, from childhood to your advanced years.

Do I have to be fit to do yoga?
No. You can join a class suitable for your fitness level. For example, to join a mixed-ability yoga class, you need to be able to get up and down from the floor. Some yoga classes are chair-based.

Do I need to be flexible to do yoga?
Not necessarily. Yoga will improve your flexibility and help you go beyond your normal range of movement, which may make performing your daily activities easier.

Can I injure myself doing yoga?
Yoga-related injuries are uncommon. Some injuries can be caused by repetitive strain or overstretching.

But yoga is the same as any other exercise discipline – it's perfectly safe if taught properly by people who understand it and have experience.

It's advisable to learn from a qualified yoga teacher and choose a class appropriate to your level.

What style of yoga should I do?
There are many different styles of yoga, such as Ashtanga, Iyengar and Sivananda. Some styles are more vigorous than others, while some may have a different area of emphasis, such as posture or breathing. Many yoga teachers develop their own practice by studying more than one style.

No style is necessarily better or more authentic than any other. The key is to choose a class appropriate for your fitness level.

What type of class should I look out for?
Classes can vary in duration but typically last between 45 and 90 minutes. A longer class will give you more time for learning breathing and relaxation techniques, and will give the teacher time to work with your individual ability.

It's worth speaking to a teacher about their approach before you sign up for a class.

It's not all hippys and women practicing Yoga nowadays.
It's gone mainstream.
I've booked in for my first class on Monday

Originally Posted by klong toey

Hatha yoga used to be part of my weekly exercise routine.
Gym everyday pushing weights, five aside football twice a week, karate twice a week and yoga on Thursday evenings followed by a few beers at the pub.
And yeah i could do the headstands no problem just walk into the posture slowly keep your balance and push up on your toes.

You must have been insanely fit with that regime!!
What age was you?

Apart from playing cricket at a good level when in my mid twenty"s didn't start training properly until I was about thirty three then trained hard for about 15 years. When i originally moved to Bangkok i still went to the gym 3 times a week run in the park most day's but for at least 6 years just walk about 10 miles a day.

When I was in the military many years ago they brought in yoga once a week for some of our PT sessions. As you can imagine, many of us macho soldiers were skeptical .....
But after a few sessions we began to change our minds and could feel the difference. It’s not the be-all and end-all of fitness routines, you have to mix it in with cardio and strength training.
I’ve wanted to try Tai Chi but could never find a suitable class.

Originally Posted by mikenot

When I was in the military many years ago they brought in yoga once a week for some of our PT sessions. As you can imagine, many of us macho soldiers were skeptical

Was planning to.


But haven't been arsed yet.

There's a decent looking place near me condo that advertizes 10 hours for something like 1,600thb.

Which is ridiculously cheap.

I went to yoga when I lived in Sheffield and i was ripped then all the women in the yoga class would always smile at me and stare when holding certain postures. Only problem was they were white bitches and i had a Jamaican girlfriend so wasn't interested in them.

Originally Posted by Chittychangchang

It's not all hippys and women practicing Yoga nowadays.
It's gone mainstream.

First with the news again.

I've had a go - it's basically a posh way of stretching. Careful though, the potential for inadvertent flatulence is high.

Originally Posted by somtamslap

I've had a go

You also moved down South and spend your weekends in spandex.

When I was in my 20s I lived in 2 different yoga ashrams, plus one in India for 8 weeks. I'd caution anyone here against doing headstands. They are too extreme, especially for anyone no longer in their 20s. They cause compression of the neck vertebrae.

You can get the same effect from doing other asanas

Start off with a library book about yoga and then know the basics. Do stretching and then holding the asana's / positions.
Don't be competitive.

And yes theres plenty of farts and queefs. But if you look up wind relieving postures in your library book then you can be emptied prior to the session.

Orrens

Butterfly and Switch would be doing more than farts and queefs.....they'd be expelling rotting sperm in a mist.

Make sure you get into a class suitable for beginners. When I started back doing yoga after many years, I went to a Yoga Flow class not knowing how difficult that style is. Nothing like making a twat of yourself.

Anyone who thinks yoga is for wusses, just take a look at this!

Originally Posted by klong toey

i had a Jamaican girlfriend

I did yoga in my late 20s. Didn't join a class, just followed instructions from a book (with pics) and did the poses. There was no yoga class nearby, at that time. The book was entitled "28 day yoga" and at the end of 28 days, you're supposed to be able to do the headstand (if you practiced everyday).

Didn't manage the headstand but my flexibility increased. I was also doing pilates at that time. Pilates class was OK, since it was a mixed pliates/ dance class. I found yoga a bit boring since you'll have to hold the position - not much movement.

Nowadays, I walk/jog, do zumba and climb mountains for exercise. I'll stick to those at the moment.

As for yoga, maybe it works for those who want to meditate, clear their minds, etc. To each his/her own. If you do try it, good luck and be a happy yogi!

I've tried it before, not for me though.

Just never felt that I was getting enough out of the sessions.

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

never felt that I was getting enough out of the sessions.

Ignore Klong Toey, you're always gonna score more pussy in a soapy

Originally Posted by Dillinger

Ignore Klong Toey, you're always gonna score more pussy in a soapy

Yoga was £10 for 2 hour's how much doe's your weekly soapy cost.