Yoga Programs?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi All, I’m new to these forums so forgive me if this is posted elsewhere but a search didn’t give me any results. I’m looking to get more flexible. Right now I can’t touch my toes. When bent over I’m probably about 4 - 6 inches away from the ground. I’d like to be able to touch my toes because I can’t do it, it makes me feel out of shape. I’m physically fit though, as I just completed a round of P90X which included yoga once a week but I couldn’t touch the ground doing that either, and I’m a thin guy.

Now for the questions, are there any 30, 60, or 90 day programs for yoga similar to a P90X program? I couldn’t find anything like that. Also, have you guys heard of site called yogabodynaturals.com? I was considering reading his book and ordering the supplement because it says he can double my flexibility in 4 weeks. Any thoughts about him or that site?

Thanks for your replies!

#2

So you’re gauging your physical fitness by the fact that you cannot touch your toes? Did you expect to practice “video” yoga once a week over the course of 90 days and be able to touch your toes? It doesn’t quite work like that…Some people practice yoga (an ACTUAL yoga practice, not some gimmick like P90X) for years and are not able to touch their toes. There are many reasons for this and I’m sure that someone who can explain things in more anatomical terms will explain why.

I really hope that there are NOT 30, 60 or 90 day “crash” courses for yoga, similar to P90X. You must respect the fact that yoga does NOT just consist of the physical poses (asanas) but much more. Even if its just the physical benefits you are after, you must realize that people study yoga for yeeeaaarrrsss to be able to do certain things and do them properly. Any yoga crash course for X number of days would likely go against the very foundational principles of yoga.

It sounds like you are less interested in yoga and most interested in improving your flexibility. While yoga will surely help in the flexibility department (with patience, consistency, and a good teacher as a guide among other things), maybe you’d be more interested in just finding some stretches that will help you achieve the desired results. I’m not trying to discourage you from trying yoga (try it! try a class!) I’m just saying that there is more to yoga than stretching and flexibility and yoga is definately not a race for quick results.

The idea of a supplement to improve one’s flexibility seems absurd! What ever happend to good old hard work, patience, and persistence? In the end you may only be able to stretch as far as your anatomy/genetics allow so make sure to have a realistic goal :slight_smile:

#3

Also,

http://www.yogaforums.com/forums/f16/how-to-increase-flexibilty-fast-repetition-or-endurance-5540.html

Here is a good discussion surrounding the topic of flexibility. Not sure if you’ve taken a read yet but I’m sure you’ll find it interesting.

Cheers.

#4

Hi amz155,

I think my post came off the completely wrong way than intended. I don’t want to steer you in the wrong direction, I do want to learn yoga and plan to do it for the rest of my life as I have read the many health benefits of it. Maybe I just didn’t understand what all was involved. And now that you put it that way, it does sound ridiculous to judge my fitness by touching my toes.

I was looking for a 30 - 90 day course to teach me proper postures in yoga. After the course was done I’d still continue to do it. Maybe that is what I’m looking for, some type of guide to show me the postures. Again, I didn’t mean any disrespect to the practice of yoga and didn’t mean to come off that way.

I’m going to condense and rephrase my post. Do you know of a beginner program to get me started with yoga? The benefits I’d like are to be more flexible and have peace of mind. Is going to a class the only option? Its hard for me to get to a class because I work until 6pm and its about 6:40pm by the time I get home, most classes are during the day time or start earlier than 6pm. I just looked at the website of a local place, and there are two I can attend in a week. Would that be too little, too much, just right? Thanks for your insights.

#5

I would definatley suggest you take some classes, especially if you are a beginner. A home practice is important too but first you should learn the basics from a good teacher to ensure you are doing things properly on your own. Yes, sometimes life makes it hard to get to classes. Even if you can only go to one class a week, it’d be a great start. Two, would be even better. But I’m sure you’ll find it hard to stop after 90 days :slight_smile: Maybe take two classes a week at first so that you are exposed to different ideas/postures/vibes/energies and let it be your inspiration for how many classes you’d like to take after a few months. I only go to one class a week (because of financial reasons) but I enjoy the class and teacher so much and learn so much from the single class a week that it sustains me and my home practice until my next class. Good luck!