Is anyone using yoga to exercise and reduce stress?

[joromero]

Since I started yoga, a year ago now, I've noticed a dramatic improvement in my stress levels, anxiety and general mood - as well as feeling much fitter I was curious to see if anyone else had found success with yoga and stress reduction - and if you feel it's contributed to your wellbeing or even reduced any pre-paleo symptoms?  

[Kara Klett]

I haven't practiced enough to really see a difference but I am going to hot yoga Friday! I love how relaxing yoga is. I definitely de-stress while I'm there but outside of that, my boys keep me on my toes! I love the stretch I get from it! I definitely think it's a good thing!!

[darcie]

Got back into yoga this year after a long absence, and love my weekly class - unfortunately I can't do more classes right now (and haven't been able to fit it in at home), but planning to do more when my littlest starts Kindergarten in the fall!

[MindyK]

I've found it helpful in reducing the tension in my muscles. It can also be particularly helpful for those who are sick enough that they can't manage more intensive exercise.

[gutsybynature]

YES! One of the other hats I wear is as a yoga teacher. Unfortunately, I don't devote enough time to my own practice as should. I credit yoga to keeping me sane through the worst of my illness and recovery from multiple surgical complications, then the paleo diet with helping me heal my body. Wouldn't be where I am today without both.

[olivia]

I keep meaning to get back into it. I love yoga. I only like Iyengar though, for some reason. I've tried other styles and they just don't suit me. Hot yoga was the worst! I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. I've found a place walking distance from my house that has Iyengar yoga, and I know the time of the class, I just need to get myself there!

[floramorada]

Absolutely. I'm trying to go as often as possible. It helps so much with stress reduction, and if I make myself go even when I don't want to, I always feel better afterwards. I started going regularly in January, so I'm not very far into my practice. I love it though!

[EJ]

Does anyone have suggestions for getting started with super easy yoga for people who have very little muscle and lots of inflammation? I've tried multiple times to do a regular home practice, but the 10-minute gentle stretching tends to be too easy and boring (I'm very flexible) and the 30-minute "lesson" made me sore and unable to do anything else for weeks

[olivia]

EJ, Iyengar is designed for people with limited mobility. They use props, hold poses for longer and don't flow from pose to pose. That's why I like it. If you can find a smaller class you can let the teacher know your limitations and they can help you work with them. There's also more relaxing styles like restorative yoga.

[MindyK]

Apr 10, 2014 17:24:24 GMT -5 EJ said:

Does anyone have suggestions for getting started with super easy yoga for people who have very little muscle and lots of inflammation? I've tried multiple times to do a regular home practice, but the 10-minute gentle stretching tends to be too easy and boring (I'm very flexible) and the 30-minute "lesson" made me sore and unable to do anything else for weeks

One resource that I really like is yogadownload.com . You can download a wide range of twenty minute classes from their website or their iTunes podcast for free.  Then when you're feeling better you can buy the longer version of the class. 

[laurenrdn]

Yes! Yoga is incredible for movement and to get into the mind-body connection. I would be so lost without it. I love online yoga as well - I use myyogaworks.com. You can get a free 15-day trial and it's only like $15 a month...way more affordable than an actual local studio ($$$). They have options for beginners or advanced yogis and lots of short meditations too.

[Erin]

I do with my daughter, though not consistently. I often struggle with the daily juggling act, but I know when I make/have time for yoga I feel better physically and mentally. Unfortunately I cannot find my favorite yoga DVD. It has completely vanished! :/ I'm sure it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I really enjoy the P90X YogaX program. So, lately we make due with the prenatal DVD I used while pregnant with my son {with Shiva Rea by Gaiam} My daughter asked if I had a baby in my belly again when I first turned it on... ha!

[joromero]

Fantastic! Loved reading all your responses. I suffered from anxiety while my psoriasis was at its peak - the doctor told me managing that was key to reducing the psoriasis - and I know that yoga helped me so much. I go to hot yoga once or twice a week and then practice whenever I can at home, even if it's just a 20-minute stretch out before bed. I find that I sleep better and also once I started yoga I found I craved sugary foods much less - yoga was the missing piece in the puzzle for me. A year later and I'm less stressed out, more easy-going and I feel fitter and more flexible. So glad so many of you are making time for yoga too, and I hope it helps.

[salixisme]

I love yoga and practice it myself. The one thing I don't like is Hot Yoga

I am a massage therapist, and I have treated lots of people who injure themselves, by overstretching, doing "Hot Yoga" because the heat can allow you to go too deep into the various poses as the heat can relax the muscles more than normal yoga will and this can cause injury.

While hot yoga can be good, caution is needed. don't push yourself too far.  Also make sure you rehydrate well if you do hot yoga.

And never push yourself to the point of pain in any type of yoga - pain is your body's warning signal that something is wrong - if it hurts STOP!.  SAme with other exercicse.

[MindyK]

That's a good point Charlotte. I think it's true for most types of exercises, if you push yourself too hard and in an unmindful way, it can be detrimental instead of helpful.