Yoga rules!

I went to a yoga class yesterday and another one today. I am sore everywhere but it feels great! You really work a lot of muscles.
I even have the impression my butt is tighter! It's just an impression, of course after 2 days, but it's a good one! :-)

Hey, Plume:)

I've been procrastinating about trying a Yoga class at the YMCA. Your post is making me think more about going - although I'm still not so sure I could handle it at my size. It's great that you enjoyed so much though:)

the thing with Yoga is that you do what you can. You don't (should not)  push further than your  body allows and there are always different ways to make a yoga pose.There are different level of poses.

You should try!

Maybe I will - I let you know if I do:)

Plume is right.  You do everything at your own pace.  There is no competition and you do not judge yourself by others.  Go to yogajournal.com for TONS of information.  There is also a mental side of yoga ---meditation---deep breathing and such.  Doing that makes you WANT to make healthy choices.  When I do yoga, I don't reach for junk food as often.  When I drive to work, I do my deep breathing and it calms me down so I don't run people off the road!  (kidding)  When you embrace the yoga philosophy you will  actually want to be good to your body.  Also, doing yoga made me start recycling my trash.  See what it will do for you!  It will unlock your true nature---the REAL you!

By the way, I never went to a class because I'm too self conscious.  I get yoga tapes from Amazon.com and I love it.  It really chills me out because I get depressed and stressed a lot.

Ask us questions anytime!  We're here to help you!

:)  Hugs

these were my first two classes. I loved it. I work in a university. The class I went to today is meant for staff and faculy, so no young ones there to compare yourself to :-)
But it actually does not matter too much with yoga I think. It's not like a gym where you can easily feel self conscious. People who go to yoga go to feel better about themselves, about their body, and to learn to relax. Ypu have to focus on your breathing and forget about the rest of the world.

And as the teacher said today, yoga is the celebration of the body. So I think that's good for all of us!

I went to one yoga class and apparently I chose the wrong one. At the gym I went to, there is a meditational yoga class that is a lot slower and calm, and then there is a fitness yoga class. I was signed up for the slower paced one which did not suit my needs. I ended up taking pilates  instead of yoga all together, but even in my pilates class there was such a variety of people and much more adults, I felt like the minority.

plume, your butt may actually BE tighter!  I've been doing yoga for 3 months now, and no other strength training (just started doing pilates too recently) and I have awesome thigh muscles, hamstrings, a hard core, and a lifted, tight butt!  It's crazy!  Everyone seems to think yoga is easy and relaxing.. and yeah, it can be relaxing, but it can also be HARD!  It's a workout!

100% Yoga convert, have been doing it for over 2 years now, still in prep classes and I love it never ever going to stop. Sure I was self concious the first time I went, but not the second or from then on. It's been GREAT! Cannot recommend it to enough people.

yoga is amazing.... i loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee goign and am now taking the advanced classes. it really clears your head and helps your body. i see muscles i never knew i had. keep it up!!

i will!

Plume, congrats on finding yoga!   I agree with yoga monkey and yogajournal is a fantastic site.

It's exciting to see more people on this site who understand how awesome yoga is.  I'm trying to get ashtanga included in the activity list since it burns so many more calories than hatha.

if anyone else feels the same way please drop a line at

http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/1133 4.html

Namaste

It all depends on where you go.

I felt totally self-conscious at some places and not at others.

Of course, the one that I don't feel self-conscious about is farther away.

I agree, it all depends on the instructor, they set the tone.  I've been lucky and have wonderful instructors. 

I started yoga with YOGA PRACTICE FOR BEGINNERS  with instructor PATRICIAL WALDEN by yoga journal/gaiam.  It's still my favourite though I have tons more.  All my yoga DVDs are from gaiam, i've rented others but they dont seem to measure up to the gaiam series.

HAVE YOU TRIED SARA IVANHOES YOGA VIDEOS. I ALSO DO PAT WALDENS AND LIKE THAT TOO.  SARA IVANHOE'S ARE 20 MINUTES LONG BUT YOU REALLY HAVE A GOOD WORKOUT.  i DO THEM WHEN I DONT HAVE ALOT OF TIME ON SOME DAYS.

Hello, I have been reading the post on yoga and I have just started doing a little yoga everyday for a few weeks now.  I do love to go to yoga journal web site, that is where I got interested in it.  If there is beginners tapes that any one can recommend I would appreciate it.  Just the little yoga I have been doing is helping me. I fee more flexable already. 

        Pat

I'm going to yoga agin today. Looking forward to it.

I noticed that because it stretched muscles in my rib cage area, I had to stand straigher than usual after the yoga class. And you know what? Standing straight not only is good for your back, but it also changes the way you see the world :-) I felt, somehow, more confident. It's all in the attitude and in your posture!

I love yoga.  It's one of the few excercises that doesn't feel
like excercising.  I like doing it after a stressful day at
work.  I find it gets all the tension out of me and I sleep way
better.  Doesn't hurt that it makes you more flexible too. 
Nothing like seeing the surprise on some one's face when you show them
that fat doesn't mean inflexible (loved the look I got whne I
demonstrated that I could do a yoga pose better than the "skinny
fitness freak").

Hey, Plume ! 

I know this thread has gotten old, but I promised to let you know when I took my first Yoga class. I managed to get to and through an hour long Flow Yoga class today. It was tough, but I liked it, I think I'll make it a regular Sunday thing. I have to try and get better - pride demands it!

Yoga and running: the key to the best body and peace of mind that this 'ol universe can deliver. 

I SWEAR by yoga. So long as it doesn't involve any questionable metaphysics. You know: other-wordly candles, third eyes, eight levels of spiritual enlightenment, anything immaterial that is nonetheless somehow supposed to glow, etc.--the usual heebie-jeebie mumbo-jumbo. Just keep it about body and strength and breathing and I'm all in. 

Yoga is awesome.  I have been weightlifting for years and NOTHING has ever lifted my butt like yoga lol!!!