Need help with Yoga

[somethingshiny]

Hello, all.

I almost posted this in WWT, but I didn''t know if it was appropriate (as I do not post in WWT), but I''d like some help with Yoga.

I''ve tried Yoga off and on for a few years. I just found a television series that I really like for Yoga. It teaches the basic poses and then does a workout every half hour show. (which is good for me).

My questions are: I know with Yoga, your movements are supposed to be slow and controlled, but if the movement is based on your inhale and exhale, should I speed up the movement to match my quicker breaths (because I''m in no where near the shape that the instructors are!)?

Also, how do you know if you''re overworking during the actual workout. I''ve been doing it for a week and I don''t realize that I''ve overdone it until I''m sore.

Last question (for now), are there some basic movements that I could continue to do during commercials? I really like the meditation of Yoga, but as soon as I get centered, there''s a commercial and my mind wonders. Then I have to throw in laundry or take something out of the freezer and I have to get re-centered. In the series I''m watching, they''re doing "link" poses that are gone back to between each set of poses. Should I just keep doing the "link" again and again??

Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA!

 

[somethingshiny]

Really, no Yogis out there????

 

[scarlet16]

Hey shiny-
I''m not sure how intense of a program it is but you can always go into downward facing dog and do a vinyasa (out to plank, chattaranga, upward or baby cobra). Or if you''re feeling slightly sore from the moves, you can use that time to do child''s pose. Remember though, yoga really is about being centered and listening to your body, so even if just sit with a prayer for the few minutes, and breath, you''re still practicing. Take those 30 min. just for you.

As for breathing, you should try to make sure they are very controlled and therefore, the movements should be slowed to their pace. As my yoga instructor always says she''s just giving us guidance and we move to our own rhythm.

I don''t really think you can "overwork" yourself in yoga. I''ve been practicing for a good 3 years and still get a nice soreness. It just means you''ve awakened some muscles you use less.

 

[baby monster]

Not a yogi here, I mostly do pilates but I have 1 yoga dvd I use for stretching and meditation. Being sore is not a bad result. It means you found a muscle that needs more work. There are different levels of positions and you should continue to challenge yourself. As for commercials, I usually Tivo the workouts that I like and then skip thru commercials. If you like the instructor in the tv program, you can see if they have a dvd for sale and avoid the commercials altogether.

 

[somethingshiny]

Thank you both!

I guess I''m just not used to being sore after a workout. (not that I do much, but my muscles must be used to only working one way.)

I''ve been able to slow my breathing down over the last couple days. At first it was just too hard to hold the pose and trying to stay with their pace. But, I can do it now, so obviously I''m making progress. (which I like to see!!)

Wish I had a Tivo so I could skip commercials and do the workout when I want, alas, I have to contend with my 2 year old during the program. Now, he''s trying to sit beside me and do some of the poses. Too cute!

It''s weird, but I swear my memory has gotten better in the last few days. (I''m really not crazy...am I?)