The wonders of yoga

[OldWHEEL]

I’m a complete newbie. Started 2 1/2 months ago. That said…I’m completely enthrallled.

I’m a 66 yr old female who has remained active all of my life. But I was always sports driven with a racket of some sort in my hand or walking through the years of COVID. I had always thought yoga was for the girls who took modern dance and ballet or for seniors in chairs. I’m also not religious but I have been in my past but about 30 years ago decided Christianity is not for me.

What possessed me to get involved with yoga was my meeting a woman 20 years my junior, slightly overweight, but with “the peace that passeth understanding.” Such a presence and calmness she had about her. I had to get me a piece of that peace. She suggested a slow start with Yin, but I found it was too slow so I moved to Hatha and a flow class.

Now, I feel transformed and find myself in class 3 days a week. I am clearly the most awkward and clueless in every class I take. However I have more energy and clearheadedness than I’ve experienced in years. I’m drinking and “weeding” about half as much (which was honestly very little anyway). I shy away from the Ohm-ing but do enjoy that occasional gong which can send shivers down my spine.

Have you tried it? Are you a regular practicer? Why don’t more men do this? It’s so great for balance and flexibility as well as peace of mind.

If you’ve tried it, does it continue to intrigue you?

 

[breepf]

I’m a complete newbie. Started 2 1/2 months ago. That said…I’m completely enthrallled.

I’m a 66 yr old female who has remained active all of my life. But I was always sports driven with a racket of some sort in my hand or walking through the years of COVID. I had always thought yoga was for the girls who took modern dance and ballet or for seniors in chairs. I’m also not religious but I have been in my past but about 30 years ago decided Christianity is not for me.

What possessed me to get involved with yoga was my meeting a woman 20 years my junior, slightly overweight, but with “the peace that passeth understanding.” Such a presence and calmness she had about her. I had to get me a piece of that peace. She suggested a slow start with Yin, but I found it was too slow so I moved to Hatha and a flow class.

Now, I feel transformed and find myself in class 3 days a week. I am clearly the most awkward and clueless in every class I take. However I have more energy and clearheadedness than I’ve experienced in years. I’m drinking and “weeding” about half as much (which was honestly very little anyway). I shy away from the Ohm-ing but do enjoy that occasional gong which can send shivers down my spine.

Have you tried it? Are you a regular practicer? Why don’t more men do this? It’s so great for balance and flexibility as well as peace of mind.

If you’ve tried it, does it continue to intrigue you?

I don't do public yoga because I'm concerned that if I relax that much I'll let loose a fart that will shake the very pillars of the earth.

That being said, I hear the physical effects are positive, though I'd be wary of any New Age purity malarkey.

 

[gtyellowjacket]

I love the physical effects but don't do it nearly enough. I always walk out of a yoga session feeling like a million bucks but it just takes so long. Probably need to get into a routine.

I never did get into the spiritual side of it.

 

[UNCatTech]

I don't do public yoga because I'm concerned that if I relax that much I'll let loose a fart that will shake the very pillars of the earth.

That being said, I hear the physical effects are positive, though I'd be wary of any New Age purity malarkey.

Thanks man, now I have to explain to my boss why I suddenly laughed in the middle of the meeting.

 

[UNCatTech]

I’m a complete newbie. Started 2 1/2 months ago. That said…I’m completely enthrallled.

I’m a 66 yr old female who has remained active all of my life. But I was always sports driven with a racket of some sort in my hand or walking through the years of COVID. I had always thought yoga was for the girls who took modern dance and ballet or for seniors in chairs. I’m also not religious but I have been in my past but about 30 years ago decided Christianity is not for me.

What possessed me to get involved with yoga was my meeting a woman 20 years my junior, slightly overweight, but with “the peace that passeth understanding.” Such a presence and calmness she had about her. I had to get me a piece of that peace. She suggested a slow start with Yin, but I found it was too slow so I moved to Hatha and a flow class.

Now, I feel transformed and find myself in class 3 days a week. I am clearly the most awkward and clueless in every class I take. However I have more energy and clearheadedness than I’ve experienced in years. I’m drinking and “weeding” about half as much (which was honestly very little anyway). I shy away from the Ohm-ing but do enjoy that occasional gong which can send shivers down my spine.

Have you tried it? Are you a regular practicer? Why don’t more men do this? It’s so great for balance and flexibility as well as peace of mind.

If you’ve tried it, does it continue to intrigue you?

I really liked yoga and other group type exercise classes. I've take everything you can imaging and they worked well.

The group settings and the defined commitment (money and time) were good motivators for me.

I'm currently looking for a good yoga studio or gym that offers yoga classes, but haven't found one that fits my needs.

 

[Rock]

Barring physical limitations or otherwise, everyone should do yoga. It's not some new age, hippie thing. It will make your life so much better.

 

[ChileG]

I’m a complete newbie. Started 2 1/2 months ago. That said…I’m completely enthrallled.

I’m a 66 yr old female who has remained active all of my life. But I was always sports driven with a racket of some sort in my hand or walking through the years of COVID. I had always thought yoga was for the girls who took modern dance and ballet or for seniors in chairs. I’m also not religious but I have been in my past but about 30 years ago decided Christianity is not for me.

What possessed me to get involved with yoga was my meeting a woman 20 years my junior, slightly overweight, but with “the peace that passeth understanding.” Such a presence and calmness she had about her. I had to get me a piece of that peace. She suggested a slow start with Yin, but I found it was too slow so I moved to Hatha and a flow class.

Now, I feel transformed and find myself in class 3 days a week. I am clearly the most awkward and clueless in every class I take. However I have more energy and clearheadedness than I’ve experienced in years. I’m drinking and “weeding” about half as much (which was honestly very little anyway). I shy away from the Ohm-ing but do enjoy that occasional gong which can send shivers down my spine.

Have you tried it? Are you a regular practicer? Why don’t more men do this? It’s so great for balance and flexibility as well as peace of mind.

If you’ve tried it, does it continue to intrigue you?

Try the ohm. The inner vibration it causes mixes with those around you and creates a calming effect. Doesn’t need to be “spiritual.” But it’s a nice way to end the class after savasana.

 

[OldWHEEL]

My husband’s (he’s72) doctor told him that at his age, the most important things he could do for his body were stretching and yoga. Of course all he wants to do are weights and spinning classes so he can look buff for me

 

[UNCMSinLS]

I don't do public yoga because I'm concerned that if I relax that much I'll let loose a fart that will shake the very pillars of the earth.

That being said, I hear the physical effects are positive, though I'd be wary of any New Age purity malarkey.

My fear is that I would focus more on the pants present than the relaxation and stretching.

 

[StrangePackage]

I do jiujitsu. It's like nonconsensual yoga with a partner.

 

[UNCatTech]

My husband’s (he’s72) doctor told him that at his age, the most important things he could do for his body were stretching and yoga. Of course all he wants to do are weights and spinning classes so he can look buff for me

Well he should look buff for you, you deserve it.

 

[CHAMTRAIN]

I’m a complete newbie. Started 2 1/2 months ago. That said…I’m completely enthrallled.

I’m a 66 yr old female who has remained active all of my life. But I was always sports driven with a racket of some sort in my hand or walking through the years of COVID. I had always thought yoga was for the girls who took modern dance and ballet or for seniors in chairs. I’m also not religious but I have been in my past but about 30 years ago decided Christianity is not for me.

What possessed me to get involved with yoga was my meeting a woman 20 years my junior, slightly overweight, but with “the peace that passeth understanding.” Such a presence and calmness she had about her. I had to get me a piece of that peace. She suggested a slow start with Yin, but I found it was too slow so I moved to Hatha and a flow class.

Now, I feel transformed and find myself in class 3 days a week. I am clearly the most awkward and clueless in every class I take. However I have more energy and clearheadedness than I’ve experienced in years. I’m drinking and “weeding” about half as much (which was honestly very little anyway). I shy away from the Ohm-ing but do enjoy that occasional gong which can send shivers down my spine.

Have you tried it? Are you a regular practicer? Why don’t more men do this? It’s so great for balance and flexibility as well as peace of mind.

If you’ve tried it, does it continue to intrigue you?

I've been a regular at Arrichion in Raleigh for about 4 years now. I went to a hot yoga class in NYC with my sister (she was an instructor for a bit) and it piqued my interest. Arrichion is a bit of a mix between yoga and circuit training, lots of the classes are incredibly physically taxing but some are strictly flow/stretching. I regularly see former ACC basketball players there and a current Korn Ferry tour golfer also is a regular. IMO, it's the best workout I can do for my rapidly aging body (currently 47). I don't think I'll ever go back to running and strength training which were staples for me my first 40 years.

Anyway, I love it. You do regular or hot yoga?

 

[Batt Boy]

Practiced for years. I view it mainly as a breathing practice. I appreciate the physical gains, but as for spiritual or whatever, no. But to each.

 

[ChileG]

That being said, I hear the physical effects are positive, though I'd be wary of any New Age purity malarkey.

Trust me, I know exactly what you mean. But yoga’s been around for about 5k years (apparently).
I’ve heard a lot of ridiculous things said inside of a yoga studio, but I’ve heard a lot of ridiculous things said in pretty much in any environment.
The “spiritual” part people don’t like is mainly just your body over time feeling better as it gets stronger and more limber. Physically, you will feel great. If you can combine that with practicing/focusing on patience, calmness, gratitude, (or any intention you have) etc…then you are being as spiritual as anyone else.
Meditation is scientifically proven to have many benefits. The asana practice is sometimes called “meditation in motion.”
I believe the original reason yoga came to be was to prepare the body and mind for long periods of sitting in meditation.