Yoga/Pilates/Other for flexibility
Discussion
Long story short; I'm fairly fit and not fat.
Training wise I shift iron, cycle locally and walk a bit. No running or other sports.
One thing that I lack is flexibility - I struggle to even touch my toes without cheating. My joints are good and strong but lack full range of motion thanks to +50 years of sitting at desks, sofa and driving. My posterior chain in particular is poor, despite good form squatting and deadlifts.
Considering a class/course to try to improve things, also want to try working in a group as I've always been a solitary trainer and fancy a change.
My gym offers Hatha Yoga and Pilates but happy to consider other options that me be beneficial. I've read a little on the internets but any first hand advice would be great.
Ta.
Training wise I shift iron, cycle locally and walk a bit. No running or other sports.
One thing that I lack is flexibility - I struggle to even touch my toes without cheating. My joints are good and strong but lack full range of motion thanks to +50 years of sitting at desks, sofa and driving. My posterior chain in particular is poor, despite good form squatting and deadlifts.
Considering a class/course to try to improve things, also want to try working in a group as I've always been a solitary trainer and fancy a change.
My gym offers Hatha Yoga and Pilates but happy to consider other options that me be beneficial. I've read a little on the internets but any first hand advice would be great.
Ta.
I do Pilates and it's very good. Our class is more fitness Pilates, whatever that means, I'm told is much more advanced than normal and is incredibly hard work.
It's better doing it in a class because the instructor will show you who to do each exercise properly and you will feel like wimping out mid way through one exercise and look to one side and see that nobody else is struggling, so you keep going.
I wish I'd done it years ago, it has made my running much better and I'm not getting the injuries I used to do.
It's better doing it in a class because the instructor will show you who to do each exercise properly and you will feel like wimping out mid way through one exercise and look to one side and see that nobody else is struggling, so you keep going.
I wish I'd done it years ago, it has made my running much better and I'm not getting the injuries I used to do.
If you want to go the solitary route, the P90X routine contains a Yoga module and something called X-Stretch - both of which are excellent. The Yoga one is blinking tough going but ultimately rewarding.
P90X3 contains both Yoga and Pilates - both excellent too and only 30 mins each.
The only downside is that the first couple of time you do them, you end up having to look under your nuts at the telly to see what to do but you soon learn the moves.
P90X3 contains both Yoga and Pilates - both excellent too and only 30 mins each.
The only downside is that the first couple of time you do them, you end up having to look under your nuts at the telly to see what to do but you soon learn the moves.
I did Yoga for the first time 2 weeks ago.
Got to say, it is surprisingly difficult and very taxing. There is very little rest period and one pose/stretch flows into another. I'm reasonably flexible and couldn't pull off 50% of the moves, yet all the women there seemed to do it with ease.
Worth a go, just don't make the same mistake I did and do a full arm session in gym beforehand
Got to say, it is surprisingly difficult and very taxing. There is very little rest period and one pose/stretch flows into another. I'm reasonably flexible and couldn't pull off 50% of the moves, yet all the women there seemed to do it with ease.
Worth a go, just don't make the same mistake I did and do a full arm session in gym beforehand
I love yoga, but I believe it needs to bee instructed correctly, I wouldn't undertake a class with someone who didn't ask me to complete a health questionnaire, you also need to work with your own body and not concern yourself with what others in the class are achieving, once you have a good understating you can easily practice on your own.
Lord G, I do believe we are fairly local to each other, therefore I can recommend Sue from http://www.coreandmore.co.uk/index.htm
Our cycle club have had a few sessions with her and she is very good.
Our cycle club have had a few sessions with her and she is very good.
The Beaver King said:
I did Yoga for the first time 2 weeks ago.
Got to say, it is surprisingly difficult and very taxing. There is very little rest period and one pose/stretch flows into another. I'm reasonably flexible and couldn't pull off 50% of the moves, yet all the women there seemed to do it with ease.
Worth a go, just don't make the same mistake I did and do a full arm session in gym beforehand
Same here. Used to take the piss of yoga then I tried it and failed miserably.Got to say, it is surprisingly difficult and very taxing. There is very little rest period and one pose/stretch flows into another. I'm reasonably flexible and couldn't pull off 50% of the moves, yet all the women there seemed to do it with ease.
Worth a go, just don't make the same mistake I did and do a full arm session in gym beforehand
Also Yoga classes are generally full of fanbelt as well.
Just spotted this thread. I can only echo what others have said above. Glad to see you've got someone who is giving you good instructions. Most importantly always listed to your own body. I often see people in classes trying to compete with other. Mainly men trying to be as flexible as women. With regular practice you will be amazed the improvement you can achieve.
Maybe just over 6 months ago I could only just hold a tripod handstand/handstand against a wall for 10 seconds. With regular practice I've got to this
I know yoga isn't about the asanas "poses" but I always find motivation through achieving a goal i.e. the above poses. Enjoy the classes and post your any updates
Maybe just over 6 months ago I could only just hold a tripod handstand/handstand against a wall for 10 seconds. With regular practice I've got to this
I know yoga isn't about the asanas "poses" but I always find motivation through achieving a goal i.e. the above poses. Enjoy the classes and post your any updates
I think they're a love hate thing possible controlled by fear sometimes. I love inversions! Probably because I have to focus so much on what my body is doing that it removes all the stress's of the day. I can only bind in a few positions though, working hard on my back flexibility. Sometimes crazy moves just become fun
Impressive stuff dude.It may take me a little longer to make that kind of progress but I've seen improvements already. Glad I went for one-to-one sessions to begin with because I'm pretty sure I'd've been embarrassed at how poor I was just a few weeks ago. Still trying to get downward dog and triangle right but at least my hips are beginning to move, a little.
My heels are some way from the floor still with downward dog. I've always had very tight hamstrings so with lots of poses I have to put a slight bend in my knees.
Some people hate to do it but taking some photos of yourself at home whilst performing a few moves is great for recording your progress. It acts as a brilliant motivation for how fast the body can learn to open up. Great on you for pushing yourself out of your comfort zones
Some people hate to do it but taking some photos of yourself at home whilst performing a few moves is great for recording your progress. It acts as a brilliant motivation for how fast the body can learn to open up. Great on you for pushing yourself out of your comfort zones
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