breadbin

I used to do yoga a couple times a week and at that time I was probably the fittest I have ever been in my life! I did kundalini yoga and found my breathing was so much improved and complimented my other exercise.

Unfortunately I am now alot heavier and I could not do it effectively. My belly would be in the way and I find I cramp way easier in my top half stretching and stuff. Saying that if I went to a class I'm sure the teacher would modify the stretches to suit. But I'm with the previous poster who mentioned tying his shoes! Sad but true.

DMC707

I've lifted weights since age 14 ---- initially for high school sports, -- then weightlifting by itself at a collegiate level, and more recently, working out at the local Olympic training center , doing Oly lifts alongside some of our nation's best (I am not one of the nation's best --- i'm a 44 year old former athlete who wrangled my foot in the door there by other means )

So ---- your preaching to the choir, ------ but after 30 years of training -- I'm at the point where i said ---

"The old stuff's not working --- lets re-load the launch tube, point it in a slightly different direction, and fire it off "

I just had my 4th session today , i went on a M-W-F-S split. I dont want to give myself 2 full days off between sessions, as i plan to keep the intensity up so i dont lose focus

Granted i am at rank beginner status, but a lot of the principles have commonalities with some martial arts training i did earlier in my life ------ the studio i have been going to rates the bikram (hot yoga) class as intermediate level , and i jumped into one of those my 2nd trip ---- It may be a while before i try that again, just learning the basics and the breathing control is more than enough for a beginner with a beer shelf

But so far the funny thing is , now that i have learned a handful of movements, -- its getting harder. - Now that i can hold a couple of the poses instead of just giving up and transitioning to a plank position when i couldnt do it --- its really challenging.

The power and strength to weight ratio of my female instructors is phenomenal as well --- they kick ass and are inspiring (and i'm not easily impressed in the gym )


So far so good

jimmie65

That's awesome.

And I hope I didn't imply that yoga doesn't have its benefits or isn't the right choice for others. I get more bang for my buck with the weights (I don't do Oly lifts, but focus on squats, deadlifts, and presses). Everyone has to find what works for them.

DMC707

No - i didnt take it that way --- it sounds like you have tried it and done enough with your wife to have your own educated opinion about it and how it works for your body

I used to tell people they only needed 3 lifts , - the squat, deadlift, and Clean & jerk (or a variation of the power clean ) --- and when people would spout off about "core training" -- i would tell them to go squat 3 plates (or whatever they could do ) ---- doing a squat with a challenging amount of weight fires up more core stabilization muscles than laying on a swiss ball and piddling around with 20 lb kettebells ever will

Nobody listens -- - interestingly enough most of my peers who challenged my techniques eventually quit training altogether -- yet i still plug away, - fatter, older and slower, but still trying to improve every day, but now with a renewed sense of --- i was going to say focus but i think desperation is a better term

injuries from other sports over the years have taken their toll though sadly and moving around the Big Iron just isnt as much fun anymore for me

raceboy

DMC707 said the secret word--female instructors. Not hard to look at and a great reason to take yoga!

FullGas

I'm any thing but a clyde (6', 150 lbs), but have been doing yoga since college in the 70s.

it keeps you flexible, and does a nice job of lowering mental stresses.

it's good stuff, you should do it...

Bikeforumuser0022

I hate stretching, yet I feel and sleep better every time I do yoga after a weight workout and before retiring.

Years ago, having done yoga to DVDs -- mostly Rodney Yee -- I went to a class once while in Boca Raton. In August.

My DVD sessions are about 45 minutes. Class was 1.5 hours. With the door open. In August. At the end of the class the lake of sweat around my yoga mat practically had its own weather system.

Cool thing was the numerous impossibly slim yet toned and fit obviously vegan girls in tight clothes lying on their backs with their legs in the air. That scenery alone was worth it.

DMC707

This is the same thing most of my "alpha male" buddies have told me as well

LOL -- I have 2 eyes the same as all of us --- but i have to admit -- once the session starts , its all i can do to keep up so far --