http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2013/04/10/yoga-for-people-who-are-overweight-or-obese

I have been contemplating yoga classes for some time...have to get my "rear in gear" and find one here...but I read this article and got inspired again to find someplace, or, at the very least, use YouTube or buy some dvds!

I have heard wonderful things abour yoga for the joints (I have RA) and other ailments can be helped with yoga training... I know my "inner core" can use some work, for sure!

I live in Savannah, so if someone can recommend a place they have heard of, that would be awesome, but I'd like to get your thoughts...

have you tried it?

do you like it"

what do you feel are the benefits to YOU?

Thanks

BGP...

I started yoga at six weeks out. Practice daily now at home and 2-3 classes a week. Look on YouTube for videos also!

Thank you, I started yesterday with the video Basic Yoga Workout for Dummies because it's quite easy to follow and I love the instructor, he voice sounds so soothing lol.

I did pretty well except for the tree post, really have to focus.

I have been looking around online at beginner yoga classes. I am morbidly obese, have back pain problems and thought this might be something I could do. I even read that some people use it to actually lose weight. I am surprisingly flexible. I am hoping over time that it will stretch some of those muscles in my back and help with the pain that keeps me from walking any distance. Once I get some of this weight off, I want to try Zumba! It looks like so much fun!

Surgery in 8 days! YEA!

I have been looking around online at beginner yoga classes. I am morbidly obese, have back pain problems and thought this might be something I could do. I even read that some people use it to actually lose weight. I am surprisingly flexible. I am hoping over time that it will stretch some of those muscles in my back and help with the pain that keeps me from walking any distance. Once I get some of this weight off, I want to try Zumba! It looks like so much fun! Surgery in 8 days! YEA!

Oh how exciting!! All best wishes for your surgery Peggy Jean.

Is there a DVD out there that you would recommend for completely new yogi wannabe (sp?)? I would love to be able to do something other than walking the dog or walking on the treadmill. I am not sure when my surgery is going to be but I would love to start some form of exercise soon. I am in my early 50's and am not very coordinated when it comes to exercising lol. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

Summer

I have been looking around online at beginner yoga classes. I am morbidly obese, have back pain problems and thought this might be something I could do. I even read that some people use it to actually lose weight. I am surprisingly flexible. I am hoping over time that it will stretch some of those muscles in my back and help with the pain that keeps me from walking any distance. Once I get some of this weight off, I want to try Zumba! It looks like so much fun!

Surgery in 8 days! YEA!

Dear Peggy, I hope your surgery went well! All the best to you!

Is there a DVD out there that you would recommend for completely new yogi wannabe (sp?)? I would love to be able to do something other than walking the dog or walking on the treadmill. I am not sure when my surgery is going to be but I would love to start some form of exercise soon. I am in my early 50's and am not very coordinated when it comes to exercising lol. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

Summer

Dear Summer,

You could try some of the beginner yoga videos on Youtube. I actually wasted too much money buying Yoga DVDs from Amazon but even the so called "beginner Yoga lessons" were far too hard for me and I couldn't follow the fast pace.

In the end Charline from MyFitnessPal recommended me Ms. Fondane's Yoga lessons - Even though the lessons are advertised with shamelessly skinny girls (ok, I'm jealous:)), they're actually super easy to follow, even for me being too big and a total beginner.

You can see her teaching the Half Locust on Juli's site: http://sugarfreejuli.com/yoga4all/ (I think I mentioned her already in another post)

I hope this helps,

Selma

@@Selma Sunshine Thanks so much! I will definitely look those up.

Summer

It's been a while since I've been here but this was the first place I thought about when I found a specific Yoga program that did wonders for me. It might have been mentioned already - I honestly don't know. But just in case it hasn't - you should all check out DDPYoga! If you're looking for a fantastic workout - not just for stretching/toning/flexibility but for low impact cardio too - then this is it. I have always had trouble exercising. My knees and ankles kept me from doing a lot of more high impact work and I never found anything I enjoyed.

Then I found DDPYoga. Created by a former professional wrestler (Diamond Dallas Page) who'd had so many surgeries he could barely move anymore and wanted the flexibility yoga could bring but also the cardio of his old workouts. What you get is a combination of the very best Yoga, Traditional Fitness, Sports Therapy and Dynamic Resistance. You may have seen the video of Arthur going around - the retired vet who could barely walk and was majorly overweight and is not slim and running? This is the program he did! The support in the DDPYoga groups is amazing. The results of people from all weights/sizes/fitness levels is astounding. And I actually LOVE doing it! I get up early (and I am NOT a morning person) to do the workouts and start my day and then sometimes I'll do more at night and the results are the proof. In 2 months I lost 1/2 inch off the waist, 1/2 inch off the biceps, 1 inch off my hips, 2 3/4 inches off my thighs, 1 inch off my knees and 1 1/4 inches off my calves! Definitely check it out!

Click here: DDPYoga - This Ain't Your Mama's Yoga!

And if you haven't seen Arthur's video check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

I really want to do yoga, but I am so weak in strength. I find even the beginner yoga stuff is too hard for me.

I am a member to my yoga online, but am struggling to find a really easy beginner beginner workout.

Perhaps more experiences yogis can provide some tips, that our newbies, like me, can look for when selecting a yoga workout.

I am determined and would hate to get discouraged.

Also, what are your thoughts on workout length? I wanted to start short, about 20 minutes, but that too is hard to find.

So glad I found this thread! I'm joining the YMCA this week and can't wait to get to a yoga class. I know very little but have wanted to do it for a while now and know the benefits are awesome. Thanks for all the tips!

If at any time anyone needs modifications or just wants a softer practice please feel free to get in touch with me.

Between the contacts I have and the years of experience that equals to I can find something for you. About a week ago I took a 500 lb lady through a full practice (after about 3 weeks of practicing) and she could not lay flat or bring heart equal to head at all...but she practiced, practiced and we worked on mods again and again. She did downward dog in a chair, and did a very full expression of warrior 1 & 2 for the first time ever...so excited (we cried)!