DIY Yoga?

[Panter]

I'm interested in trying some Yoga.
So, had a Google for local classes, instructors etc but they all start too early in the evening for me.

I'm sure there's loads of instructional stuff online and on youtube etc but is it something you can successfully learn yourself?

 

[Vidor06]

My wife has been doing yoga for years and has always done it in classes. I tagged along for about a year to aid recovery from a back injury. IMHO its something that you would be best starting off doing in a class and then once you had a routine in your head you could do at home. But the instructor I was with changed the routine regularly so kept it interesting. Plus its handy to have an instructor there to correct any mistakes you are making or to adjust some of the poses dependent on your needs. Doing it at home you could be doing it all wrong and never know.

 

[summerdays]

I agree about it would be good to start with a class, my pilates class teacher occasionally has to correct someone's position, or gives group advice where she sees us all doing something the wrong way. I frequently lift my shoulders and need reminding not to do that. (It's got to the point that I can be riding my bike and hear her voice in my head telling me to drop my shoulders )

 

[Panter]

Thanks both, that was along the lines of what I was thinking really, there's only so much you can teach yourself.
I shall devise a plan B!

 

[summerdays]

My class is run in a school in the evening, though I know she also works at the local sports centre too. So don't just try sports centres.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I have had a dabble with online stuff related to yoga, I liked this on youtube -> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFKE7WVJfvaHW5q283SxchA

 

[Over The Hill]

I do Pilates in a class twice a week but also have a yoga DVD. Class is best but really DVD can be a decent alternative - well far better than nothing.

So then you are faced with about 100 yoga dvds from some totty that used to be in Eastenders or whatever, or some really advanced programme that has you tied in a knot balanced on one leg.
By far the best I have found for a home DVD is "Shilpa's Yoga". Nice entry level. Good feel and quality to the production (some are really bad). I think she knows what she is doing. You can get samples of it or probably the whole thing on youtube. You do get fed up with the voiceover man but it does help to keep you on track and correct errors.

Some classes are quite tough to track down. Worth a look around all the local halls or churches to see what is on the notice board. Often they are not on line.

 

[ayceejay]

A lot of the asanas (poses) that would be beneficial to a cyclist are very basic and well within the reach of someone of average intelligence. As well as viewing the positions on you tube I think it is important to learn the theory so that you understand exactly what you are doing regarding relaxing and stretching as it is not unknown for people without this knowledge to injure themselves.

 

[Lisa21]

Search on you tube for Sadie Nardini. Her instructional videos are very good, and range from beginner up, but its advisable to go to a few classes first, to make sure you are getting your core positions correctly or you could end up doing yourself more harm than good.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I think you get a lot more out of it with direction, especially good direction from a skilled teacher. If I need to, I can track down a class quite readily, either at my community college or a the place downtown that has a sign out front related to yoga. I think it is worth the time to learn to do this right, or you will do more harm than good.

 

[summerdays]

The other thing about a class is that they make you do a range of exercises, if I every practice any at home it tends to be the ones I find easier, whereas the ones I find really hard I skip at home and they are the ones I need to do. Cycling has given me reasonable leg strength but I've not got great core muscles, and sometimes I call tell the rest of the class are finding the exercise a lot easier or harder than me as a result.

 

[steveindenmark]

I have had a dabble with online stuff related to yoga, I liked this on youtube -> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFKE7WVJfvaHW5q283SxchA

I have just been doing "yoga at your desk". Fortunately it is Saturday and I am at home. If I did that at work I would either be getting locked up or fired:0)

But I feel better already.

 

[coffeejo]

There's a yoga class immediately after my gym exercise class on a Tuesday evening. Am torn between being tempted to stay for it since I'm already there and being sceptical about it just because it's called "yoga" rather than "core muscle exercises" or something equally bland.