Topic: Yoga to Increase Flexibility?
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David
WV
Member Since:
08/13/2006 Total Posts: 80
8.2 Months Ago
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I know nearly nothing about yoga, but at 47 I am looking for some kind of exercise routine to increase lower back, quads, and hamstring flexibility. I can do the stretches, but they don't seem to be quite what I may need. I'm not wanting to do strength training through yoga or to get aerobic exercise, just to increase flexibility.
Thoughts anyone?
Thanks! |
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Re: Yoga to Increase Flexibility?
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Jim
CA
Member Since:
08/27/2005 Total Posts: 637
8.2 Months Ago
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Hi David - Through my limited experience I found that there are many different styles of Yoga teachers or or techniques. My first instructer would have us hang in positions for minutes, really working on the flexability in the area being worked, and the poses were usually mobility based. Others classes are more spiritual in nature. The one I use now is only 30 minutes, so we tend to jump from pose to pose, without spending that much time to get a truly good stretch (in my opinion).
My wife also bought me some Yoga cards, so sometimes I will just pick a few areas I want to work on, and just hang out in the pose for a while.
Hope this helps - - JC1.5 |
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Re: Yoga to Increase Flexibility?
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Seema
PA
Member Since:
01/20/2005 Total Posts: 176
8.2 Months Ago
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I've found it really helps with the flexibility. Ashtanga probably moves a little fast for best flexibility, but you also don't want something that is primarily meditative. At my yoga studio, there are classes like slow flow and vinyasa and alignment that have a good stretching component. I am tight enough that even a standard power vinyasa type class is excellent for improving my flexibility. There are also many good videos. Try a search for yoga videos through collagevideos.com. |
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Re: Yoga to Increase Flexibility?
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Beverly
MO
Member Since:
05/31/2005 Total Posts: 1143
8.1 Months Ago
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David, my bro is almost 60 and very active but back started bothering him. He's not a gym rat just a super active fellow...biking, canoeing, hiking, skiing (cc), etc. About 4 years ago he added pilates to his life and has improved greatly (no more back issues). Just my 2 cents worth... |
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Re: Yoga to Increase Flexibility?
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BellaYogini
NC
Member Since:
06/10/2008 Total Posts: 2
5.4 Months Ago
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Hi! I am a Yoga Alliance certified Yoga Instructor. Yoga is perfect to increase flexibility. A few things to note, however: 1. Muscles must be WARM in order to be properly stretched, so do warm up properly (walk, jog, or heat-building postures) 2. Postures must be held for 1-2 minutes to achieve results.
That said, I encourage you to find yoga videos such as Patricia Walden (or other Gaiam videos) stress relief yoga or night time yoga. Avoid videos with the word 'Vinyasa' in them as that is not what you're looking for.
Or, visit your local YMCA or studio and take a deep stretch, beginners, or gentle yoga class.
Certified teachers and studios can be found at www.yogaalliance.org.
Peace!
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Re: Yoga to Increase Flexibility?
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Alicia
MI
Member Since:
06/02/2008 Total Posts: 10
5.4 Months Ago
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Hi David,
I just finished with a pilates class and found that it really helped my flexibility. It has also helped with my posture as well, but the stretching exercises and sets that our instructor had us do made me feel really limber! This was only a beginning pilates class, so I can only imagine how much more benefical it is the longer you continue with it.
Good luck! |
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Re: Yoga to Increase Flexibility?
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Benman
CA
Member Since:
02/12/2007 Total Posts: 2
5.1 Months Ago
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I took up yoga for exactly the reasons listed above. I stuggled with knee and back pain. I have been practicing for the past 9 months and it has changed my view of how to be fit. Prior to yoga, my body was constantly tight and often out of alignment.
I suggest starting with an introductory course of basic yoga and go from there. It really helps to go to a live class vs. videos. You'll find that the first few months are tough, and may not seem to help much, but the benefits will be noticed when you don't do any asanas. |
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Re: Yoga to Increase Flexibility?
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Tammy
CO
Member Since:
04/18/2006 Total Posts: 28
4.4 Months Ago
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I've been doing yoga and pilates for about 5 months now -- and I can now reach beyond my toes! couldn't quite reach my toes before.... |
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Re: Yoga to Increase Flexibility?
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Jessica
TX
Member Since:
09/22/2008 Total Posts: 3
10 Days Ago
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Hi. My thoughts on yoga in the first place is it is relaxing to a point where you don't even know you are working out. But for me personally, yoga didn't do a whole lot. I didn't feel the affects of feeling longer or even more flexible. Other people around me were feeling it but I play a lot of sports and very physical but I think that since i had a workout routine anyways that my body was just too tight to even want to stretch. But that was only me, and I did enjoy doing it though. |
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Re: Yoga to Increase Flexibility?
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Meredith
TX
Member Since:
09/22/2008 Total Posts: 2
10 Days Ago
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I haven't been doing yoga for very long, but I believe it does increase flexibility. If you continue to do it often I believe you would soon notice an difference! |
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Re: Yoga to Increase Flexibility?
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Erin
TX
Member Since:
09/22/2008 Total Posts: 2
10 Days Ago
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Ever since our softball coach has made us start doing yoga on wed. nights it has increseed my flexibility by a lot. |
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Re: Yoga to Increase Flexibility?
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Kendall
Member Since:
09/22/2008 Total Posts: 3
10 Days Ago
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I think Yoga would be a great way to increase flexibility. Having done gymnastics for 11 years and being not quite so flexible as i use to be, i think it is a great way to try and regain the flexibility i once had. |
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Re: Yoga to Increase Flexibility?
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Timmie
TX
Member Since:
09/22/2008 Total Posts: 3
10 Days Ago
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Yoga really does increase flexibilty quite a bit. It also helps while any back problems you may have because it helps strengthen those little muscles and loosens your muscles. |
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Re: Yoga to Increase Flexibility?
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Lauren
Member Since:
09/22/2008 Total Posts: 3
10 Days Ago
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I do yoga when I am sore after an intense workout. It helps me stretch and relax. |
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Re: Yoga to Increase Flexibility?
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Elizabeth
Member Since:
09/22/2008 Total Posts: 1
5 Days Ago
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I danced for 16 and was very flexible but when I came to college I stopped working out as much and am starting to do yoga. I have increased my flexibility greater than it has ever been and I really enjoy working out in the class with friends. |
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