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Yucky yoga
I am trying to get my back bend and my sister suggested yoga. I took a class at my local gym. First I walk in and try to strike up a conversation with my classmate. She looked at me as if I just killed the pope! No one is talking and it’s like a funeral home. Then the instructor turns off the lights and told us to close our eyes. All sudden people started making a noise. It scared the crap out of me! I was like what the heck????? Then the teacher just starts talking and talking and talking -peacefully move to front of mat, kindly blink your eyes, clear your mind and half moon. Over and over again! It was like listening to my gps for an hour!!!!!! The thought of going back makes my stomach hurt but I hear it is so good for you. Am I missing something? Any suggestions on types of yoga classes that are more lively? Thanks for your thoughts.
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10 Replies
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Sounds like you ended up in a meditative style yoga class (ie. hatha). You would probably be happier in a flow or power style yoga class (ie. ashtanga). Either way though, I don’t find there’s a lot of interaction between people in yoga classes. It’s mostly just the teacher talking and people focusing on their individual practices.
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I agree with Kasanya- sounds like a meditative yoga class.
Traditionally, Yoga was always done this way. Slowly, meditative, don’t talk to anyone else, focus inward, balance your energy, go for alignment. The teacher talking is meant to be something you can tune out other than for instruction, something you don’t feel particularly emotional toward, so you can focus inward on your body moving, and clearing your mind.
There are many other types of yoga, with many other philosophies.
Mostly it’s an “american” thing to have classes like Power Yoga or the like.
However, the physical benefits of yoga are what draw people to it, and often the variations of yoga are meant to play up those physical benefits (as far as I’m aware) or blend those benefits with other things (such as strength training), or to downplay the mental/spiritual focus. -
Thanks Ladies! I guess I shouldn’t be asking for a lively class but what style yoga best works on flexibility? If it is the Hatha style I am more than willing to tough it out and remain in the class. Thanks again for your thoughts.
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Lol MD same thing happened me once!! Power yoga is cool I really liked that. Now I just do my own at home.
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I think most kinds of yoga should help with flexibility! That’s sort of part of the point? lol, I think so, anyways!
Personally, I liked the meditative type of yoga, it was… relaxing 😉 -
I do Bikram yoga. It sucks, but it really helps me. You do have to be careful with the heat, it is not for everybody. However, I have torn both my hamstrings and when I go regularly, they dont act up. Its magical.
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@jsheridan…can you tell me more about bikram? is that the hot yoga? wondering because I too have torn both my hamstrings and REALLY want to have them ‘not hurt’. How often do you go? What is it do you think that is most effective in helping them not act up?
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Yes the Bikram is Hot yoga. The heat is aweful, but you get used to it after a few classes, like Pole pain 🙂 The difference between Bikram and other hot yoga classes is that Bikram is the same 26 postures, while another class may vary every class, so you can decide which you prefer. Both my hamstrings were torn a while ago, and are healing so I can reintroduce them to stretching. What you do depends on what stage you are at in the healing process. Mine are ready to be worked, but when I push them cold, they flare up, so the heat really helps them relax. Stretch them gently to what they can handle, dont push it. I find the bikram to be a good mix of stretch and strength, which is also important when healing. If you just stretch without strengthening it, you run the risk of reinjuring it.
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thank you! I feel like I keep reinjuring mine so I’ll look into it.
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I really like ashtanga yoga. With it, I can build heat internally, versus hot yoga. I have tried both, but prefer ashtanga. Though getting a good sweat on almost always feels great to me, no matter what I am doing. Ashtanga is also done in series, so the sequence of postures (asana) is the same for every primary series class you can take anywhere and the series progress from primary through 6th series. Also, if bikram ends up being too hot for you, there are also other yoga options where the room is heated, but not to the level of bikram. So that might be an option as well, if it’s available where you live.
Yoga generally will not be particularly lively. In many ways, even if it’s not strictly for meditation, the postures generally require a lot of internal focus to maintain alignment, etc. (For me, usually to keep myself from falling over)
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