Give Peace A Chance: Try Yoga

Saturday, December 19, 2009

by Erika

I have to tell you… I love Yoga.

I could have a total hippie moment and tell you that Yoga relieves my stress, allows me to extend my flexibility, and makes me feel like I’m strengthening muscles I didn’t even know I had. Instead… I think I’ll have my hippie moment anyway.

I remember when I first started. I discovered FitTV on my cable, and caught an episode of Namaste Yoga. It’s a half hour episode of a woman with a soothing voice guiding you through Yoga positions, and three young and fit women displaying the positions and the transitions moving you from one pose to the next. I took my sweet time watching the show to see how the positions looked… and accepting the fact that I might look and feel like a complete fool for not looking as graceful as the women on the show.

Then I realized – I’m in my own house, by myself… why couldn’t I look a complete fool for a little while? Why not just give it a shot? Yoga has all these supposed benefits, why not indulge and see for myself?

I’ve got to tell you, I battled with this back in August. Now, it’s December. Not only did I finally develop theability to touch my toes, but I’ve uncovered flexibility I couldn’t imagine before. I’ve developed an appreciation for my body, what it’s capable of, and realized how connected my methods of self-care really are. Yoga helps me physically and emotionally. My emotional well-being allows me to stay focused in my quest to be a healthier eater. Eating better prepares me physically for how Yoga can better my body.

Okay, that was my hippie moment. All of that is to say, yes.. you may feel silly in the beginning… but you start feeling accomplished. You start feeling challenged. And if you take on the challenge, the accomplishments are that much more rewarding.

If you’re even the least bit intrigued, here is an episode of Namaste Yoga for you to preview. I’ll be adding the episodes to the video archives, so keep your eyes peeled.

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Keywords

workout tips, Yoga

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13 Comments

Dec 19, 2009

Nicci@NiftyEats

I love yoga, makes me flexible and relieves stress. It’s really great for the mind, body and soul…agreed.
Dec 20, 2009

Jubilance

I started doing yoga because it was the only time I could stop thinking & turn my mind off. And I fell in love. I go to a heated Power Yoga practice (not Bikram) and I love the studio I attend. Its a great workout but I dont feel like I’ve worked out, which is the best part. I just feel it the next day.

Now that I’m moving, I definitely want to find a new studio.
Dec 20, 2009

Kimmie Brown

I started doing yoga last December. At first, I was skeptical, thinking that it would be a waste of time. I lift weights and run many many miles. Yoga is a great complement to lifting and running because you stretch those muscles out, especially after long runs. Yoga has helped me develop a really feminine shape with long pretty muscles and it keeps me flexible.
Dec 20, 2009

@steenfox

Did you make it to Bikram yet? I can’t wait to hear about your experience when/if you do! ~Namaste
Dec 21, 2009

Karen

I just started doing a “Yoga for Beginners” DVD workout about 2 weeks ago. I felt like a total idiot the first time. I even fell flat on my butt a few times! But afterwards, I did feel more relaxed and less stressed. I’m glad I decided to stick with it because I am seeing progress in my flexibility (and most important for me – a reduction in my stress level!) even after this short time.

Is it normal to feel sore after Yoga? I feel sore in muscles I didn’t even know I had.
Dec 21, 2009

MsKenya

I am going to be honest; the only reason I started doing Yoga was because it is a part of the P90X program that I am doing. When I started, I didn’t like it because I really couldn’t hold the postures and poses that strong. Now, I feel like Yoga should be an integral part of any exercise program. Yoga has calmed me, made me more flexible and strong. Plus, when I am doing high impact workouts, Yoga is the perfect follow up to stretch my muscles out making them feel much better. All the warrior poses, and ashtanga vinyasa sequences have helped tremendously even though I hate those the most lol!
Dec 21, 2009

Erika

Nicci and Jubi, I’m glad you came through and shared! Namaste!

@steenfox, I’ve yet to step outside of my Yoga show (I stick to it pretty well because of convenience reasons)… but if you ask the right person, I keep my house hot enough for a Bikram Yoga session! LOL!

Karen, I’ve fallen a few times too… but I always feel relieved when I come back to the pose and am actually successful in execution. Kind of makes you smirk a bit! I can’t say whether or not it’s normal because it depends on the kind of soreness you’re experiencing, but my muscles definitely feel a little bit of a tingle after a good session, too!

Kimmie, I’ve GOT to agree! The things that Yoga has done to my developing muscles and my skin… seriously, I’m like “I’m never giving this up!” LOL!
Dec 21, 2009

Erika

Kenya, aw man! Going from Warrior 1 to warrior 2 is seriously my FAVORITE transition! I never feel so focused and free and liberated and excited in my LIFE! All that energy going to one simple and small focal point? It feels so intense to me! LOL

I don’t think it matters how you get there, as long as the natural progression keeps you going and growing! I hope to be on Jubi’s level and hitting up a nice yoga studio sometime soon… when I find one that’s child-friendly, LOL!
Dec 23, 2009

Kymberly

Love Yoga! I started with Yoga for Weight Loss for beginners a few years ago. Since then, I’ve done a few other DVD’s from Giam and other companies. I’ve recently discovered Sportskool on IO Free on Demand. They have lots of different exercise options in rotation including yoga. Who could ask for anything more?
May 28, 2010

BAnjeeB

I’ve been doing vinyasa yoga for a little over a year now and 2.5 weeks ago I tried Bikram. I’m hooked on both now (and not just because I’ve lost 10 lbs. since beinging Bikram). My practice has increased my patience with people and made the bedroom a much more interesting place .

Namaste ladies!
- May 28, 2010
  
  Erika
  
  Oooooh! I wanna try bikram yoga sooo much… I’d have to find a good place AND a regular sitter. At least with my DVDs, I can hang at home, you know?
  
  Maybe I’ll just turn up the thermostat at the crib. LOL
Jun 11, 2010

Nickey

I heard all the GREAT things about yoga but I’m scarred!! I don’t want to go to a class and turn in to a bow tie..words of encouragement please
- Jun 11, 2010
  
  Erika
  
  LOL So you’re going to scare yourself out of trying something new? Are you sure you even want to try yoga?
  
  Put one foot in front of the other – don’t be intimidated by what you think yoga is until you try it out for yourself. There are plenty of Yoga videos on this site to watch – take a look at one of ‘em and give it a shot. Yoga is only as painful as you make it.. meaning you can stop or pull back if it feels like too much. You can only “fold up” as much as you try it.. meaning you can’t “turn into a bow tie” unless you put your body there, and chances are you just might like it. I get my “bow tie” on at least once a day… EVERY day. Get into it!

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