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on Monday, September 15th, 2008 at 5:05 am and is filed under Beginners Yoga.
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Not all the yoga poses will be possible for you, but in a class with an understanding instructor, you should be able to participate. I recommend a female instructor, and you should tell her your limitations, in private.
All yoga positions can be modified to help one with limitations. I myself have to use some modified positions to protect my low back, but can do most poses.
in yoga, you can’t compare yourself to others in the class, that is not what it’s about. Yoga is about becoming aware and mindful of our bodies, and about balancing our mind and body. Breathing is crucial, so always remain mindful of your breath as you work on each Asana (posture). Don’t hold it, and breathe deep into the lungs, and all the way out again.
Yoga is an excellent exercise for someone with limitations, as you don’t have to be able to do the complete pose to get the benefit. As long as you are working on the pose and learning proper alignment (how to hold every part of your body in each pose, this will come with time and patience) you are getting the benefit of the pose. And remember to breathe.
It is very important you have an instructor who knows your limitations and is very willing to work with you to help you modify poses you need to modify. I can’t imagine an instructor of yoga who would not be this way, so take heart!
So when you go into it, do not let yourself compare. I’m sure there will be people of all levels in the class. be patient with yourself, give yourself lots of time. Listen to your body, do not do anything that is painful, you never want to feel pain in yoga. If it hurts, ask for a modification, or pull out of the position a little until all you feel is the stretch, without pain.
September 18th, 2008 at 5:55 am
christopher
Not all the yoga poses will be possible for you, but in a class with an understanding instructor, you should be able to participate. I recommend a female instructor, and you should tell her your limitations, in private.
September 19th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
rodhubb
All yoga positions can be modified to help one with limitations. I myself have to use some modified positions to protect my low back, but can do most poses.
in yoga, you can’t compare yourself to others in the class, that is not what it’s about. Yoga is about becoming aware and mindful of our bodies, and about balancing our mind and body. Breathing is crucial, so always remain mindful of your breath as you work on each Asana (posture). Don’t hold it, and breathe deep into the lungs, and all the way out again.
Yoga is an excellent exercise for someone with limitations, as you don’t have to be able to do the complete pose to get the benefit. As long as you are working on the pose and learning proper alignment (how to hold every part of your body in each pose, this will come with time and patience) you are getting the benefit of the pose. And remember to breathe.
It is very important you have an instructor who knows your limitations and is very willing to work with you to help you modify poses you need to modify. I can’t imagine an instructor of yoga who would not be this way, so take heart!
So when you go into it, do not let yourself compare. I’m sure there will be people of all levels in the class. be patient with yourself, give yourself lots of time. Listen to your body, do not do anything that is painful, you never want to feel pain in yoga. If it hurts, ask for a modification, or pull out of the position a little until all you feel is the stretch, without pain.
Good luck!