Tuesday, March 30, 2010
In some of my previous Shareposts I've mentioned that yoga and meditation help me to cope with the symptoms that come along with my ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. And many of you have asked me to discuss this further. So, here goes.
By nature, I'm what some would call a typ...
I'm curious about how you started yoga. Did you watch a CD, take a class, or was your husband able to teach you? I have a lower back "weakness" since having a disc removed in 1977 and am hesitant about some of the poses. Have you had any poses that were difficult and how did you overcome that?
Hi Joyful,
When I was a young girl I used to like to watch the Hatha yoga lady on PBS. And as an adult I used two different books to get started in yoga about 8 years ago, and in the past year have started to watch some yoga on TV. Namaste yoga on Fit tv is very good.
I don't have back problems but my husband does and he really likes the book, Relief is in the Stretch, for people who have various back issues. It gives you specific yoga stretches and poses for various problems.
The other book was one by the author and yogi, Richard Hittelman - sorry, I don't remember the title and I'm not currently home to check it. But, I know he has one or two books on yoga, written in the '70s or 80s and they are excellent.
I am a firm believer for people such as yourself with a back issue of finding a yoga instructor who can help you during a few classes to get started on the right track. I also do not believe the "power yoga" that many yoga studios are teaching today is good yoga. I prefer Hatha yoga which involved much more stretching but is still a very good workout.
As long as I do some yoga every other day I feel great. I have some very minor back issues from a car accident 5 years ago and the yoga really helps to keep my back muscles limber. But, the time alone, with my mind and body is the most helpful. When practicing on my own, I end each yoga session just sitting on my mat and meditating for 10-30 minutes. It is more rejuvenating than I can explain.
I with you luck with this. Do a little research on yoga studios in your area and go in and talk to the instructors about your potential physical barriers. A good instructor will be willing to work with you. And once you know what to do and how to do it you can go it on your own if you like.
Cheers,
Eliazbeth
Thank you so much, Elizabeth. You took a lot of time and put in a lot of thought to reply to my question. I really appreciate that, as I am sure others will, too. This is very helpful!
Joyful