STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

laken1 · Hermes

Thoughts on yoga

atlgirl · Gucci

I really like Yoga. I did quite a bit of it last year, but then in the fall my business got super-busy and I had to stop, and then I was still busy (and catching up) in the spring, so haven't done it in over a year now. But I've found that it's one of the best things for my Fibromyalgia pain (and trust me, I've tried many things for that) so am actually signing up again (today!) for a new round of classes.

I am fortunate because they offer it through my city's Parks & Rec so I get first dibs at signup (classes often get full) *and* a discount. I can take 60 days' worth for about $40.

The class I like is taught by an older woman - probably in her sixties. She can't demonstrate all the poses because she's had hip replacement, and she doesn't walk around and correct individual posing, which I would like...but for $40 I can't complain, and the stretches / poses she teaches are really perfect (this is pretty gentle Yoga) for my body, without increasing my pain levels.

shopgirl82 · Chanel

when i go to the gym i am always used to "going nuts" (as my bf calls it) on the treadmill, stairmaster, elliptical, or whatever machine i am using. i did a yoga class and while it was nice, super relaxing, etc...i feel like i kinda missed something when i got done with it. maybe it's cuz i'm used to feeling exhausted after the gym, and instead i felt calm and relaxed. i think i will give it a shot again, but i found that pilates was more my thing. HTH!!!

NCshopper · Hermes

I love yoga. I've been doing it on and off for about 10 years and I've always thought it was wonderful at getting me calmed down after a hectic day and it feels soooooooooooooooo good. A lot of it depends on your teacher though. I had a teacher once who made us all sit in a circle afterwards, hold hands, and say "Ohmmmmmmmm" and it wasn't my thing AT ALL so I never went back to that teacher. One of my other teachers was great and had a nice sense of humor about the whole thing. She'd fall over and laugh and stuff and she was a great.

I think yoga is best when you use it in addition to your normal routine. When I took classes at the gym, I'd go to yoga once or twice a week and I'd usually walk on the treadmill for 30 min. beforehand to get a little cardio. After leaving yoga classes, I always feel really strong and not tired and all worn out when I do a normal gym routine. And my favorite is the little meditation at the end, esp. when the instructor comes around and rubs scented oils into your temples. That's the BEST!

gingembre1 · Kate Spade

There are many different kinds of yoga, first of all. I've done 3 - Iyengar, Bikram, and another one several years ago that I can't remember the name of. Each has their own philosophy regarding how it should be done, and does variations on the moves. Bikram was by far the most hardcore as it is performed in a room heated to 100+ degrees, and you move quickly through 26 poses in an hour and a half. You do walk out of the class feeling strong, and lean. My muscles looked beautiful after a month of that class. HOWEVER, do not to Bikram unless you have significant yoga experience.

Iyengar yoga is probably my favorite. It's relaxing, stress relieving, and it's great for body awareness. My instructor is amazing, but I've gone to other studios, and I haven't taken an Iyengar class that I haven't liked.

Yoga isn't meant to replace all other excercise. I don't even really think of it as part of my exercise routine, although it is great for my muscles. I think of it as more part of my lifestyle. I recommend yoga to everyone I know, and you quickly become addicted!!

crystal · Kate Spade

i was doing a denise austin yoga video pretty regularly since january. i got bored tho & have since taken to more outdoor activities, but i think if i got a different video i would go back to it. i was in the best shape ever when i was walking for an hour mon-fri mornings & doing yoga 2-3 times/week. i would like to check out pilates tho to see how the two compare. oh & i think the type of yoga on my video is ashtanga... the video is pretty basic but challenging & it's so rewarding to be able to do a pose that u couldn't do before. i do fall over a lot cuz my balance isn't that great (well, it's better on some days that others, weird, huh?).

Grace · Dooney & Bourke

When I do yoga, I also follow the Inhale show on Oxygen. I love Steve Ross! I feel I get a very good work out from that. I just wish I did it more often.

gingembre1 · Kate Spade

I would recommend taking a class from a live instructor. You might think/feel like you're doing the moves right, but the instructor will notice things you can't/won't. Believe me, it's worth it, you won't get the real benefits out of yoga unless you take the class from a live instructor who can correct your postures.

poptart · Coach

This is going to sound harsh, but I don't mean it this way. I find yoga super-boring, so I agree with the suggestion of going to a class. Knowing that I can't zone out and be like "la la la" works much better for me. Just a thought!

bex · Chanel

i have done yoga on and off for about 4 years. I it. It makes me focus on myself and stop making lists in my head of what i need to get done in the next hour, day, week, month, year and really relax. i am a very tense, stressed, go go go person, so yoga helps me out a LOT!

there are several types of yoga out there, so be willing to play around until you find the style/teacher/class that fits you best.

oh and as for an "exercise" class- i would def. recommend continuing your cardio classes- i made the mistake of dropping my cardio classes and picking up yoga and pilates instead and i def. saw a difference in the toning of my body...

blubirde · Chanel

I love yoga, too. I haven't been in awhile (and this post has reminded me, so I think I'll go on Wednesday) but I don't like a cardio type yoga class. I don't think you can feel the poses as intensely as you do otherwise and it also kind of lessens the experience for me. (Okay, actually super fast-paced yoga classes actually make me angry! How bizarre is that? I get so mad when the instructor doesn't allow enough time to actually feel the poses and get into them a little better.)

Yoga is good for your muscles - you can notice a difference almost immediately - and good for your mind. Don't replace your cardio with it though, because it doesn't compare. And I agree with everyone else to try out different classes and find out which one you really like. Instructors make all the difference!

NCshopper - I got all light-headed and relaxed when you even MENTIONED rubbing oils on your temples... ahhh, soooo nice.

jen · Kate Spade

Hmm, I don't really take yoga as a workout. It's something extra added to my workout though. I consider a hard 5 mile run a workout or lifting heavy weights a workout, not yoga. But no one can deny the stretch and piece of mind that yoga can bring so I'd suggest doing it as well as a harder cardio/weight routine.