Anyone do yoga?

[KingGheedora]

I lifted weights since I was 16, and was usually always active with running or basketball, up until i was about 24 years old (27 now), when I started working full time.

I went to a yoga class yesterday to try it out. I am surprised, yoga was actually challenging, and I also felt extremely relaxed afterwards. Reefer after the class put me over the edge and I was relaxed and euphoric the rest of the afternoon and evening (whereas usually reefer alone gives me a more manic/frantic/ADD experience).

I didn't feel like I was doing anything special during the class, just trying to do the poses properly, but afterwards I was so mentally relaxed. My mind normally races with dozens of thoughts coming in at the same time, and I'm ridden with anxiety 24/7.

My legs also felt very loose and relaxed after, like I had been restrained for years and was finally untied. I never realized how tight those muscles were; there was one basic pose we kept on having to do which I couldn't do properly because my hamstrings were so tight. My legs are pretty sore now.

I'm not doing this as a workout, I still plan to start running or boxing again once I get into the routine of yoga, but I'm sure some muscles will get worked out (doing things like "the crow"). It's worth it for the stretching and the relaxing effect alone.

Have any of you done yoga, or do any of you do it? Anyone experience the same kind of calming effect from doing it? Does it wane or go away after getting used to yoga?

 

[BeauJangles]

I was doing yoga for a while a few years ago. It helped a lot with my flexibility and giving me a great sense of calm throughout the day. I can't really afford it anymore though.

 

[KingGheedora]

How much did it cost around where you were? The classes here are 10$ per class if you pay as you go. I think it's cheaper if you pay for monthly passes or buy bulk classes up front.

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
How much did it cost around where you were? The classes here are 10$ per class if you pay as you go. I think it's cheaper if you pay for monthly passes or buy bulk classes up front.

That sounds about right. I remember paying ~$250 for 20-something classes.

I think that mental health is something that's often neglected by people trying to get themselves into shape.

 

[wwswimming]

i started stretching in an aikido class. there they call it "ukemi", falling skills.
the black belts were so 'into' their stretches, it was infectious.

eventually i started doing stretching as yoga. for about 8 years, with classes,
Ashtanga yoga, a form of Hatha yoga.

yes, it is relaxing. one of my co-workers refered to it as "yoga as practiced by
the US marines", very strenuous. it is relaxing, extremely relaxing.

i used to alternate swimming/diving/surfing and yoga workouts. i would
estimate a proper (intense) yoga workout is like swimming 1 to 1 1/3 miles.

the relax feeling doesn't go away, it gets better. if you decide to give away
all your possessions, can i have your quad core ?

 

[joutlaw]

Dang thats a lot of money on a class basis. I suggest checking out a local YMCA.

My wife is hardcore into Yogo, Pilates, and Reformer Pilates. They are all included in our YMCA membership, but the membership for the branch with the reformer classes is $67 a month. The other branches are 47$ a month , but don't have the reformer classes... they use special machines.

We got the WiiFit and I've really enjoyed the Yoga on it, but I still feel weird going to a class. I'm also a big guy, 6'3" 245lbs, so I think I'd have hard time doing some of the poses.

 

[RagingBITCH]

I loved it when I did it. It was a different kind of workout - hard but relaxing at the same time. You don't even realize a whole hour goes by, nor how much you sweat out. At the end when you're relaxing I literally fall asleep everytime.

Now pilates...I did yoga for about 6 months solid and tried it once. That killed me. I only did it the one time and would like to pick it up after I'm done running, but that was a hell of a workout. Much harder than I gave it credit for.

 

[iluvdeal]

Yea I've done yoga before. I know the calming effect you are talking about, it's like my head is totally clear and the "fog" is just lifted away.

It's basically like meditation, except you are focusing on your movement. Meditative effects do not go away with practice, they actually get stronger. I will say though if I'm distracted by other things going on in my life while I do my yoga, I don't get that calming effect as much every time.

BTW, there's a bunch of yoga DVDs out there. So you aren't limited to the YMCA if you want to get some yoga in.

 

[StageLeft]

On Oxygen network each morning Steve Ross does a good class for an hour. I've done several of them and they are all humbling. My flexibility is horrific, although not as bad as it used to be. I've been working on it quite diligently for many months, if not a year now.