YOGA Gut and thighs in the way

post-petite

post-petite

New member
Today I went to a 90 minute Yoga Class. This was only the second Yoga class I have ever set foot in, the first was 18 years ago and 5 weeks after delivering my son.I never went back as I was too embarrassed that I could not reach my feet.
I still can't reach my feet but that seems minor compared to what I expereinced today . Among other things doing the pigeon poise-- this involves one leg streched outstraight behind you and the other bent and going back by your crotch so that the bottom of the foot of the bent leg touched the top of the straight leg.. I can do this ..but then the teacher directed us to lean forward and put our arms on the floor and cross them and use them as pillow for our heads..
Big problem .... my belly roll contacts with the top of my ampley cushioned thigh and I am stuck. If I cross my arms and use them for a pillow for my head I look like "I Dream Of Jeannie".. My arms are crossed a foot and half off the floor.
I wanted to do yoga to improve my flexibilty. Does anyone else practice Yoga and or Pilates? I would be interested in hearing about your experiences and what poses you substitute or modify ... I just wanted to do something that would be different. ( I am still doing the water aerobics)
 
talk to the teacher about modifications to poses...

I wouldn't expect to be able to do everything on the first class.. it's going to take time.. they call yoga - PRACTICE... to get better at it you have to practice...
 
Is there a beginner class you can take instead? that sounds like a fairly complicated pose for a newb! :)
 
They offer a "Gentle Yoga" but this is not offered at time I can go--
They only have 2 classes I can possibly attend but one gets out too late for me- (ends at 9:00 PM) so this class/time period on Saurday is it... They had a substitute instructor the day I went so I am hoping the regular instructor is more "novice friendly"-- I arrived just at the class started- last time and did not get to speak to her. .. but next week I am going a little earlier in hopes of talking to the regular instructor.
 
I remember trying yoga when I was at my heaviest, and I know what you are talking about. At that point I had given up on it because it was bad enough I couldn't tie my freaking shoes without my gut getting in the way, I didn't want to endure it yet again while doing yoga.

There is a gal in my yoga class that is fairly heavy, but she manages to do a lot of the moves better than some of the skinny folk in there. Since I can't exactly ask her how she modifies the moves without sounding like an insensitive ass, I'll keep an eye out to see what she does.
 
I agree that you need to ease into it..don't expect to be able to do it all at once. Yoga poses are not easy and it takes not only developing the flexibility but also strength/endurance. Of course, I am older but I take a Yoga stretch class...that focuses on breathing, stretching, and posture and balance. I am able to take a regular class and would like to but there is none offered at my gym. I like yoga but I have noticed how much I like it depends a lot on the teacher and how it is taught.
 
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yes, after the birth of my first child, i started prctising Yoga, i have understood and mastered (i can say that, as i have been doing them for 7 months now), kindly tell what exactly are you looking for in yoga, coz there are several asans that may be of use to you, send me the details, i will send you the Yoga exercise!
 
I am at this point trying to improve flexability. I have very poor flexability-
in the child pose my butt comes up when I out my head down with both arms forward and when tried back with arms back to my side.
 
I took Yoga about 5 years ago, while a member at Curves..Being 300 pounds, theres alot I can't do..Some Yoga included..The instructor modified some of the poses. And I did what I could. I would try the pose as best as I can, if I couldn't do it, I would maybe do the previous pose until we moved on to the next..
 
post-petite said:
I am at this point trying to improve flexability. I have very poor flexability-
in the child pose my butt comes up when I out my head down with both arms forward and when tried back with arms back to my side.
Click to expand...

well, have you been doing some asanas for the same? if yes kindly tell me. the child posture which you are doing is also called as 'bal-asana' in this you sit on your knees with your feet together and your buttocks resting on your heels.
as far as flexibilty is concerned just keep on doing it very slowly and are you observing a breathing pattern or not? coz it is really important while doing an asana.
just keep on doing it this will take some time but eventually your body will get open up.
what else asana's or positions you are doing?
 
I follow what the instructor directs.. Downward facing dog, Warrior pose.
I have only been a few times. I just try to do the best I can.
 
well, you ask your instructor for 'Pawan Mukta Asans' part 1 & part 2 both...they will help you in creasing flexibilty, they are very basic asana's your instructor would tell you how to do them
 
Yoga is very good for overall body health and done correctly you feel good and relaxed aterwards. You should not try the impossible, find postures that work for you and be very gentle about the ones that feel difficult. Go slowly.

Yoga is actually not about being able to get into certain postures, its a complete method that brings overall good on many levels.

Try to meditate a while after Yoga, and you will find that your body is warm and relaxed but also you are mentally alert.
 
I will the ask the next class I go to about the Pawan Mukta Asans'... due tot holiday I will be out of town this weekend. So it will have to be next week.
 
you should talk to your trainer about getting you to do simpler exercises first..
This ll help you as you ll become more flexible and lsoe a bit of the fat...
 
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