Beginning Yoga?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hello All and I hope your having a beautiful day!

I am interested in starting yoga! I have been told that It may help with some of my ailments and will get me back in to the physical shape I once was.

I suffer from fibromyalgia which is mostly centered in my hips and knees and sometimes shoulders. I also have an undiagnosed digestive disorder which causes frequent nausea & vomiting ( i believe its a nerve thing possibly?) as well as severe insomnia.

I used to be a dancer for 15 years but have not really exercised or danced since some tragedies in my life about 6 years ago. I would really like to get back into shape the way I was back then :slight_smile: I would also like to partake in a regular activity such as yoga that will help me to relax more and find some inner peace & balance in my life. I have been reading some stuff about yoga and I realize that there are many types or yoga. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on the type of yoga that may be beneficial to me? I would also like to know if there are some good resources to help me with breathing better/more efficiently. I have recently quit smoking cold turkey and would like to be able to breath the way I should, not how I’m used to!

Any tips/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks for your time and have a great day!

Angel

#2

Hello Angel,

Dancers typically have two things present in their bodies; a very sound body awareness (call this spatial) and hyper mobility. The first can make learning Yoga from a sound teacher a bit “easier”. I put that in quotes because it’s all relative. The second actually REQUIRES a well trained teacher so that the practice of postures (asana), which is a small part of Yoga, can be safe, aligned, then strengthening, in that order.

I often hear people ask about getting “in shape” and while I do believe the external body reflects many things it is common for the external body to appear one way but the organism itself to not be healthy. I suggest to my students that they consider their health from the inside out. And it sounds as though you may already be doing that based on your comment about respiration.

When a student of Yoga has opening in the apparatus of the breath (rib cage, diaphragm, intercostals) and still cannot breathe, then gentle beginner’s pranayama (breath control) is warranted. When there is no opening for the breath in the aforementioned areas, backbends are warranted. Best for this to be assessed by the teacher you choose to impart the teachings to you.

To that end I’d recommend an alignment-based practice. You will know these practices when the teacher provides both alignment AND action instruction. A teacher only providing the latter cannot rationally be termed an alignment-based teacher.

Each style of practice will have differences. In some there will be talk of lovely things but nothing behind or supporting the talk. In others there will be sound principles but they will be taught in aggressive ways often by teachers who have learned the material very well but have not truly dealt with their own issues nor embraced the larger picture of Yoga.

Since you have issues with your immune system please exercise care in finding a teacher that knows what they are doing, has at least 500 hours of training, has that training within a lineage, continues their education, and has enough integrity to a) only teach that which they are living and b) tell you when they do not know and find out.

warmly,

gordon

#3

Yes I am very hyper-mobile and also double jointed in my thumbs, wrist and elbows. It is not as bad as it was when I was a child but still there. I am greatly looking forward to starting yoga. I think I am going to start out at home and then find a teacher when I at least get the basics. Thank you so much for your advice I really appreciate it. And I am focusing on my inner and out “shape” I did mean emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I do have a huge block up spiritually and I need to find a way to knock it down.

Thanks!
Angel

#4

In yoga it is moved through and processed rather than hit and knocked down, but this may merely be semantics. :slight_smile:

#5

Angel, i would start with few private classes (maybe yoga therapy?) before jumping into group yoga class…you can loop up yoga therapist http://www.iytyogatherapy.com/therapist.php

i’ve heard that yoga therapy is quite effective for your condition