What do you think of yoga?

[Bateluer]

Went to the health expo for the IMS Arizona Marathon tomorrow. Its a smaller event, so a smaller expo. This means there's fewer lines for things like massage trials, chiropractor trials, BF/BP tests, etc. Usually skip these at the larger R&R expos because I don't want to stand in line for 60 minutes for a 10 minute thing.

With a Bio-electric Impedance device, they tested my body fat at 13.8%, with a -/+10% accuracy rate. Not too bad, I think. And the IMS nurses tested my blood pressure at 120/82, which, if the charts I just pulled from Google are accurate, that's optimal.

Then, I checked in with the chiropractor that was there. They were offering a weight balance check, a spinal evaluation, and a 10 minute massage. I'm not big on seeing doctors for every little issue, but I figured why not, the test was free. Well, they had a platform with two scales and some vertical lines at angles. The chiropractor took some weight measurements, looked at the lines, etc. Then prodded along my neck, spine, cheekbones, and lower back.

According to him, I put nearly 10lbs more weight on my left foot than I do on my right foot, and have several knots on the left side. It definitely felt more 'painful' along certain points on my left side. He also noted that my back is very stiff. And the tech doing the massage noted several 'stress' points along my spine, and it definitely felt more intense along my left side.

On the results, I decided to take them up on their intro offer. 30 minute consultation&analysis, initial adjustment, followed by a 30 minute massage tailored to me. 25 dollars for it sounded like a fair price, and there's no obligation. Not sure what my health insurance covers, if any, but the 25 would come from my pocket.

Might explain some of the cricks in my back, usually have my back crack several times when doing certain crunches. And I've always been called 'stiff'. Maybe causing some of the headaches I've been getting too, get these dull headaches more commonly. At least, that's what Google-Fu is leading me on.

So, on to the point. The local community college has a Fitness Center, and allows non-students to have memberships. They do offer cheaper pricing to students, but I'm no longer a student there. So, 39 dollars a month for solo exercise, 39 a month for group classes, or 59 for both. I'm wondering if their yoga classes would help out? Here's a link to their class descriptions.

http://www.estrellamountain.edu/sit...nter/fall-2010-group-ex-class-description.pdf

Pretty general, I know, but I'm thinking the stretching and breathing in the yoga courses would be beneficial? What say you, Health and Fitness experts?

 

[Matt915]

It's not bad, I wouldn't replace any of my workouts with it, but it can be a supplement that helps to keep you stretched.

And those electric impedance devices are garbage.

 

[Bateluer]

And those electric impedance devices are garbage.

Oh, I don't doubt that. Most BF tests are garbage, unless you're being dunked in tank.

 

[Megatomic]

I've incorporated some yoga poses into my stretching routine. I wish I had the means to devote myself to a real yoga regimen, it seems all the elite trail runners use it.

 

[Bateluer]

I've incorporated some yoga poses into my stretching routine. I wish I had the means to devote myself to a real yoga regimen, it seems all the elite trail runners use it.

I have tried to do some of the poses, using animations from various Android apps, and I don't have the flexibility to do any of them. A class with an experienced instructor might be useful for techniques and assistance.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

It's not bad, I wouldn't replace any of my workouts with it, but it can be a supplement that helps to keep you stretched.

And those electric impedance devices are garbage.

If the electric impedance tool is reliable (i.e. gives you the same value if you measure back to back to back), it can accurately indicate trends, especially if used on a rolling day-to-day average. Sure, their accuracy is terrible - the standard error is like +/-10% - but reliability is all that's necessary to tell you if your body fat is going up or down. It will vary day to day due to hydration, food consumption, etc, but like I said a rolling average can make it quite a useful tool.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I have tried to do some of the poses, using animations from various Android apps, and I don't have the flexibility to do any of them. A class with an experienced instructor might be useful for techniques and assistance.

To be perfectly honest, any good healthcare specialist - chiropractor, physical therapist, orthopedist, physiatrist, etc - should be able to hone in your "yoga" skills by improving the way you stretch. You're likely compensating for your inflexibility at all your major joints. For example, refer to this picture:

Most people think this would be a hip flexor stretch on the left and a hip extensor stretch on the right, as well as a shoulder extensor stretch. Well, the problem is, she's allowing her pelvis to roll anteriorly, taking almost any stretch out of both her hip flexor (psoas originates on the lumbar spine), her hip extensors (glute max isn't stretched in an anterior pelvis tilt), and her ribcage is compensating for her inability to reach that degree of shoulder flexion. I say pin the pelvis in a posterior pelvis tilt by contracting the abs and the glutes, which will allow for little to no compensation, leading to proper stretching of the hip flexor. Contraction of the abs would also pin the ribcage down, allowing for non-compensated ROM at the shoulder.

 

[KoolDrew]

At least she looks good doing it...

 

[wuliheron]

Almost every person I've met who does yoga routinely has had back pain and one quick workout in the morning is all they need. I've even recommended it to a few people for their back pain with great results. I'm sure a few stretches might do the trick as well, but the AMA now recommends meditation as a healthy practice so, why not? If you are going to take the time you might as well deal with your stress/mental health as well as physical health.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

At least she looks good doing it...

If you're into girls with no curves

 

[Bateluer]

My inflexibility might be a 'Hank Hill' thing. :/

Still, my chiropractor appt is on the 2nd, and includes a 30min massage. Obviously, I'll take it with a grain of salt, given my distrust of the medical profession. Hold over from experiences with Government medical care in the Military.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

My inflexibility might be a 'Hank Hill' thing. :/

Still, my chiropractor appt is on the 2nd, and includes a 30min massage. Obviously, I'll take it with a grain of salt, given my distrust of the medical profession. Hold over from experiences with Government medical care in the Military.

You just gotta find somebody that's good enough to trust.

 

[Bateluer]

You just gotta find somebody that's good enough to trust.

The introductory thing for this chiropractor is 25 dollars. Initial analysis/adjustment and a 30min custom massage, doesn't seem too bad to me? But, I'm not sure what the 'regular' rate is.

As far as legitimacy, I met this chiropractor at the IMS Arizona Marathon Expo, so I wouldn't expect them to have a complete quack. Integrated Medical Services is a legit, reputable organization.

 

[eits]

yoga classes will definitely help with the imbalance and symmetrical strengthening, but it won't help with proper disc hydration and prevention of disc degeneration.

:thumbsup: to you for "getting it".

 

[eits]

Almost every person I've met who does yoga routinely has had back pain and one quick workout in the morning is all they need. I've even recommended it to a few people for their back pain with great results. I'm sure a few stretches might do the trick as well, but the AMA now recommends meditation as a healthy practice so, why not? If you are going to take the time you might as well deal with your stress/mental health as well as physical health.

chiropractic care isn't just about getting rid of pain. the pain is a symptom of other problems on a musculoskeletal level that you can't appreciate until you see an x-ray or do a biomechanical/orthopedic evaluation. it's almost kinda like saying taking out a fuse to get rid of a check engine light fixes the problem.

 

[eits]

My inflexibility might be a 'Hank Hill' thing. :/

Still, my chiropractor appt is on the 2nd, and includes a 30min massage. Obviously, I'll take it with a grain of salt, given my distrust of the medical profession. Hold over from experiences with Government medical care in the Military.

if you have a v.a. near you, you can get free chiropractic care. can't promise it'll be quality care, but it won't cost you anything.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

If you're into girls with no curves

If she had a little bit more boobage she'd be perfect to me : p

 

[Bateluer]

if you have a v.a. near you, you can get free chiropractic care. can't promise it'll be quality care, but it won't cost you anything.

Hell itself will freeze over before I seek medical care from the VA or other government agency. The 4k+ of dental work in my mouth was a parting gift from those idiots.

 

[eits]

Hell itself will freeze over before I seek medical care from the VA or other government agency. The 4k+ of dental work in my mouth was a parting gift from those idiots.

lol! hey, man, i agree with you. did i ever tell you the story about my friend who was in the army and went in to get his gallbladder removed? the chief of surgery did the operation. he showed up drunk and removed his spleen instead. in case you're unaware, the spleen is a different shape, size, color, and texture than a gallbladder and it's in a completely different location. the gallbladder is tucked away deep under your liver on the upper right side of your abdomen and the spleen is sitting right under the diaphragm on the upper left side of your abdomen.

i don't need to tell you that there are crappy chiropractors out there. my bet would be that v.a. chiropractors are probably not all that good and probably don't do anything other than just adjust you.

does the chiropractor you're seeing have a website? i'll look them up and give you my opinion, if you'd like it.

 

[fleshconsumed]

If she had a little bit more boobage she'd be perfect to me : p

She has plenty of boobage, it just doesn't show because her hands are raised above her head...

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Yoga can help IMHO, especially if your balance or control over your muscles isn't the best.

 

[Bateluer]

does the chiropractor you're seeing have a website? i'll look them up and give you my opinion, if you'd like it.

Don't see a website for him, and don't have the card on me right now.

Here's the Google page for his office though. No reviews yet though.
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?c... will be public after they have been reviewed.

 

[Pantlegz]

I've been thinking about doing yoga at my gym just to help my flexibility and muscle control for MMA but they only offer a few classes and none are beginners yoga. They've got an advanced class and one that sounds like aerobics/yoga which doesn't make much sense to me.

 

[eits]

Don't see a website for him, and don't have the card on me right now.

Here's the Google page for his office though. No reviews yet though.
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?c... will be public after they have been reviewed.

hmm. well, i can't really know anything about him if he doesn't post much about himself on the internets.

seems like he'll be good, though. if you trust him, then go with it.

 

[Bateluer]

hmm. well, i can't really know anything about him if he doesn't post much about himself on the internets.

seems like he'll be good, though. if you trust him, then go with it.

I don't trust any one in the medical profession. Its a 25 dollar thing, not much to lose, really. Still thinking about the yoga thing. 39/month isn't a bad deal, but my work schedule is weird.

http://www.woolfspinalhealth.com/ From their business card.