I agree with the instructor that some people are born more flexy than others, but I think it’s great that you are sticking with it. And, as I said on Friendfeed, I think that no matter what your current state of fitness and/or flexibility is, yoga is not an easy thing to get your body accustomed to. Phew. I know!

- edythe

- Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 20:25 [ Permalink to this comment ]

I’ve been doing yoga on and off since the age of 16. I’ve recently decided I want to eventually teach, so I have been taking classes about 3 times a week. I’ve done lots of different styles, currently I do Ashtanga and Yin yoga.
Best tip I can give you is - don’t look at other people. Iyengar is one of those funny ones like Ashtanga that can be somewhat predisposed to allowing you to get caught up in trying to achieve. The point of yoga is generally to simply be. Iyengar yoga puts a lot of emphasis on achieving correct alignment which is good if you’re starting out and have a good teacher, because it means you will get the correct forms into your muscle memory, rather than develop bad habits. It sounds like your teacher is good and isn’t trying to make you feel like you have to be good at everything immediately, so the best thing you can do is accept where you are at this point and work with what you have. Every time you do it, you will get better, but it might take longer than you’d like to get as far as you want to go. Another thing worth noting is that while your body might not allow you to do some things as well as others because of its particular shape or quirks, every person also has things they can naturally do that other people simply can’t. Some people can do the lotus naturally, whereas I find it insanely difficult (and often impossible) to do, even after years of practice. On the other hand, I can squat with my heels on the ground and always could and some of my yoga teachers can’t and never will.
So really what I’m saying it, close your eyes, ignore everyone else and enjoy the process of getting to know your body (and your mind)better

S

- Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 23:57 [ Permalink to this comment ]

I have always wanted to try Yoga.  As a young woman I was very much into aerobics and weight training but as the years go by so quickly, I am thinking about joining a Yoga class.  After reading your experience though, I might have to think a little longer and see if they have a class for before beginner.   Hang in there and I’ll let you know if I find a class I can ‘hang’ with. 

Fanny

- Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 6:04 [ Permalink to this comment ]

I would suggest WATER!! LOL… Yoga is a great flexability inducer, but it also releases crap and water helps flush it out… lowers the amount of soreness too… hope you’re enjoying it!

- Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 12:26 [ Permalink to this comment ]

Fanny… good luck on finding a great class for you .  Definitely worth checking classes out!

And Cathy, yep, water is important in a lot of contexts… exercise, massages, staying awake when tired, etc.  Good advice!

- Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 15:36 [ Permalink to this comment ]

I’ve tried yoga lessons many times. I always promise myself that “now it’s for real, that I’ll not quit after two weeks, bla, bla, bla, bla, bla”. So far, not so good, but it’s still a life plan!

- Posted on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 14:25 [ Permalink to this comment ]

Yoga truly give you a new life. Just try yoga you will realize changes in your life.

- Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 0:48 [ Permalink to this comment ]

I’ve wanted to try yoga for years, but I spend all my money on ballet (which is also very good at finding muscles you never knew you had).

- Posted on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at 7:11 [ Permalink to this comment ]

I liked this video especially the temple which is built on mountains in bhutan.

- Posted on Friday, October 3, 2008 at 0:48 [ Permalink to this comment ]