New to yoga :)

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi, I’m Hayley ^.^

I’m pretty new to yoga, I decided a couple weeks back to try and get fitter as I was getting to the point where going up the stairs a couple times was making me out of breath and I also have problems with my tendons in my arms & legs - they’re not long enough for the joints but I’ve been to physio & I was told to stretch them (hence where the yoga comes in). I’ve just turned 20 years old and I’m quite slim but truth be told… I’m very lazy unless properly motivated, and it’s beginning to show…

So a couple weeks back I bought a Yoga / Pilates starter set, it came with a yoga ball, mat, a couple of 1kg dumbbell’s and two Pilates bands, I also bought a yoga book to help me start off… (101 ways to work out on the ball - Elizabeth Gillies)

Since I bought all this I’ve tried doing some of the easier stuff a few times but I end up either feeling very dizzy or sick and I don’t feel as though it’s making any difference… If anything it’s made me feel worse about how “in shape” I am. My arms shake when I hold an exercise and it’s just generally painful. :confused:

I didn’t expect to be a pro at it first time I tried anything like this but I didn’t expect it to be so… draining :confused: I don’t understand how people fall asleep doing some of these positions haha.

I wondered if this sort of thing was normal when you first start with Yoga & if it lets up after a while? Also if anyone had some advice about what sort of thing I should be doing for a new comer to yoga & any proper exercise in general…

I realize this is very long & most of it looks like a kid complaining that something hurts but I really could do with some help here as no matter what I read I’m not getting any better and I figure I could do with an actual person speaking to me about how to get better and what would be good for me to start off with rather than online guides and various other sources. :slight_smile:

Thanks for any help you guys could give :slight_smile:
Hayley

#2

Hello Hayley,

A ball and dumbells do certainly have a fitness value but they are not traditional yoga gear. Neither is a Pilates band, though a crafty, experienced student or teacher can find ways to use almost anything. However this craftiness requires a foundation of the poses.

Where are you located, generally? It might be a better introduction to Yoga if you were able to find a local beginner’s class or intro class.

For some moving from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one often does result in some initial nausea. However the tremors are usually an indicator of over working or lack of alignment in posture. Again, it’s difficult to say because I’m not familiar with the products/book you’re using as guide.

Some initial discomfort is also likely. However it should not be so great as to remove the joy of the practice from the doing. It sounds to me like this might not be the most appropriate fit for you IF Yoga is what you are seeking.

gordon

#3

Thank you for the reply :slight_smile:

Like I said I’m reasonably new to it & I didn’t really research that much into it, I read a couple things online and bought the book I mentioned and then went from there. I have looked into it more since hence why I ended up here. :smiley:

I’m in England, the home place to an atrocious TV program, Essex… I’m about an hours drive from London.

I wasn’t keen on going to the huge classes as I am very shy & I feel a bit silly in the living room in my own house. But I will look into it & see if I can find some beginner classes, even if it’s just to get used to it. :slight_smile:

The guy from my physio said that yoga would be a good starting point to help stretch the tendons in my legs / arms, but I’ve probably found the wrong branch of yoga. :S

Would you mind if I messaged you to get some more info about the basics?

#4

Gordon -

I took on what you said and looked for some classes in my area, although there are none close I found a few helpful websites which are (from what I can tell) beginners yoga classes. (it won’t let me post the link :confused: )

I’ve tried the first few videos and found them a lot easier than what I was doing before, so I think for a while I will deflate the ball and just do these for 5 months or so, as it has varying levels of difficulty :slight_smile:

Afterwards I didn’t feel sick or dizzy… If anything I felt better & more relaxed (even with a slight aching) so I think I’ve found the right thing this time!

Thank you for your help :smiley:

#5

Suggest you contact Drew Stallcop. He’s in your region and I’ve trained with him at the 2,000-hour level. I can recommend him without reservation.

gordon

#6

Ooh okay I’ll contact him when I have a phone line again … virgin media is playing up :frowning:

thank you :smiley:

#7

Hi Auraa,

Given the sedentary lifestyle that you are describing makes it normal to have the symptoms that you have described.

Yoga, as any other discipline (learning an instrument or a sport) cannot create magic overnight.

You will be able to experience its subtler and deeper benefits only by practicing yoga regularly over a period of time. Yoga encompasses yoga postures, timeless ancient philosophy, pranayamas (breathing techniques) and meditations, which take you beyond the body level, offering a deeper spiritual experience.

So give yourself that time and be patient. The rewards of regular practice will unfold in ways you could not imagine before.