I feel the need to seriously try and improve my flexibility as more and more I feel this is limiting me (particularly my relative inability to do high steps and heel hooks).I don't have time to do an organised yoga class - so I'd be interested to hear about (preferably free) online resources to get me started - anyone got any recommendations?
Seemed to be quite a lot chat on other threads about Yoga so it seemed sensible to start one. For starters - any positions to avoid / be careful of with lower back issues? I ask as I've found DDogs seem to really not do mine any good....
are we talking yoga the spiritual practice, or just stretching dressed up as yoga?
Quote from: tomtom on February 19, 2017, 12:07:42 pmSeemed to be quite a lot chat on other threads about Yoga so it seemed sensible to start one. For starters - any positions to avoid / be careful of with lower back issues? I ask as I've found DDogs seem to really not do mine any good....I should have said earlier: if downward dogs are painful are you sure you have your form right? I would always recommend going along to a class if you can to get some hands-on help with form. In basic terms your body should be a perfect (ish) triangle with arms and back forming one plane (side) and legs forming the other plane (side). Shoulder blades should be extended down the back (shoulders away from ears; no hunch) and in theory elbows rotated inward so inner elbows start to point towards the ceiling.Generally warming your lower back up before launching into downward dogs/vinyasa is a good idea if you're experiencing pain too. Try one of the flow videos as linked above.
In my opinion if a "yogercise" class is using a progression of asana's in a structured way loosely conforming to one style of yoga or another it is yoga. I take it that you disagree?
Quote from: Iesu on February 19, 2017, 07:02:04 pmQuote from: tomtom on February 19, 2017, 12:07:42 pmSeemed to be quite a lot chat on other threads about Yoga so it seemed sensible to start one. For starters - any positions to avoid / be careful of with lower back issues? I ask as I've found DDogs seem to really not do mine any good....I should have said earlier: if downward dogs are painful are you sure you have your form right? I would always recommend going along to a class if you can to get some hands-on help with form. In basic terms your body should be a perfect (ish) triangle with arms and back forming one plane (side) and legs forming the other plane (side). Shoulder blades should be extended down the back (shoulders away from ears; no hunch) and in theory elbows rotated inward so inner elbows start to point towards the ceiling.Generally warming your lower back up before launching into downward dogs/vinyasa is a good idea if you're experiencing pain too. Try one of the flow videos as linked above.Friend I was away with this weekend has had multiple back problems (inc surgery as a solution) and he does yoga - but had a private class with the teacher first - where he had some bespoke advice about what positions to avoid and how to modify positions due to his back. This is what partly worries me about trying to follow video's apps etc..
Quote from: Iesu on February 19, 2017, 07:10:34 pmIn my opinion if a "yogercise" class is using a progression of asana's in a structured way loosely conforming to one style of yoga or another it is yoga. I take it that you disagree?i do disagree.there are many benefits from doing "yoga" and if you get something from it then more power to ya. but doing kick ups isn't playing football and fingerboarding aint climbing.practising asana is 1 of the 8 limbs of yoga and personally i think that if your yoga practice doesn't involve the others then your not really doing Yoga. i think that most classes focus on the asana part because that's the interesting bit to most people. i dont think most people are interested in the other parts, generally i don't see/meet a lot of people who are interested in spiritual progression and that is really what its for. on a sidenote i very much dislike the word spiritual, too many horrible associations with flakey new age goonery, but there's not really any other word to use.
I'd say yoga is the attempt to still the mind, there's a few strategies in those 8 limbs but I do think the linking of breath with postures is yoga. Postures alone- agreed, that's stretching the body, not the mind.
are we talking yoga the spiritual practice, or just stretching dressed up as yoga?if its the last id just stretch in front of the tv. i do both and think that the stretch course from gymnastic bodies is the business, it comes in 3 parts, front split middle split and bridge, its a bit pricey but is designed by an ex Olympic gymnastic coach so i think its well worth the cash and im seeing good results.pigeon pose and full lotus FTW
...and think that the stretch course from gymnastic bodies is the business, it comes in 3 parts, front split middle split and bridge, its a bit pricey but is designed by an ex Olympic gymnastic coach so i think its well worth the cash and im seeing good results