I am interested in trying yoga for the first time. I filled out an application for a Yoga Scholarship. Crossing my fingers.

Anything I need to know? My surgeon wants me to gain weight. I also need help with relaxation and flexibility. I am scared to try this. Eventhough, I am below goal weight, I am an out of shape 50 year old. Sigh..

Yoga is amazing. I can't wait to start practicing again. It's very much at your own experience and pace. You will be amazed at how quickly your body responds to it. You will put a lot of pressure on your wrists, so be aware of that. And don't force a pose. Stretch your body, but don't force it. You'll get there. Start with a beginner class and work your way up. It will do wonders for your relaxation. I wish you the best of luck with it. And I hope you enjoy it.

I had Total Knee Replacement of my left knee this past June. Will I be okay with my knee?

Love yoga!!!

Any teacher worth their salt will help you adapt any pose to your limitations with props (blocks, blankets, bolsters, etc).

Now, I am getting excited with my decision to pursue this.

there are *many* different styles of yoga - some have very little in common with others, so if you try one and don't like it, try another. I've been practicing for 15 years. For a beginner, I'd recommend something like a Yin or a gentle Hatha. We're about the same age - lots of us middle-agers in those types of classes to boot. They're gentle, the poses are fairly easy, and they're *great* for stretching.

I love yoga. It's a really cool experience and not like any other exercise. Having said that, the class I've been taking for about 3 months now is a combination of yoga, Pilates, tai chi and meditation. It's low key and you do what you can but afterwards whoah! I am really energized. My balance has improved noticeably, my abs are a bit stronger (though I won't lie, they're nowhere near strong; I can't do a single situp on my own!), and I find that my flexibility has definitely improved. I hope you have the same results with your yoga class!

If you're suffering from stress, consider finding a form of meditation you can practice daily. Over a period of months it can literally change the way you respond to stressful situations.

Other ways of reducing stress:

* Aerobic exercise (of any kind, but fast walking -- starting as slow as you need to start, but doing it consistently and, as you lose weight, a little faster, will help a lot)

* Dancing classes -- the socialization with other participants and the high of the music are both great for your mood and state of mind

* Doing whatever you can do to get 8 good hours of sleep a night. There are scores of articles online about how to sleep better (google "curing insomnia")

* Establish clear rules for yourself about not trying to be the problem solver in everyone else's life. Put yourself first, literally. You deserve to become #1 in your own life.

Avoid drama and those who generate it. Here's a saying I love: "Not my circus, not my monkeys." Learn it, love it, live it.

Good luck!

I'm getting into yoga myself. I really like the channel called 'Yoga with Adriene' on YouTube. Here's a link to one of her beginner videos.

OH MY GOODNESS: IT'S a sign!!!! I must go back to yoga. I have been so embarrassed of my body I stopped going years ago, but I am going back. Thank you for all of your beautiful posts.

Leilie

(Healing, mentally and physically)

I am printing this out. Thank you!

If you're suffering from stress, consider finding a form of meditation you can practice daily. Over a period of months it can literally change the way you respond to stressful situations.

Other ways of reducing stress:

* Aerobic exercise (of any kind, but fast walking -- starting as slow as you need to start, but doing it consistently and, as you lose weight, a little faster, will help a lot)

* Dancing classes -- the socialization with other participants and the high of the music are both great for your mood and state of mind

* Doing whatever you can do to get 8 good hours of sleep a night. There are scores of articles online about how to sleep better (google "curing insomnia")

* Establish clear rules for yourself about not trying to be the problem solver in everyone else's life. Put yourself first, literally. You deserve to become #1 in your own life.

Avoid drama and those who generate it. Here's a saying I love: "Not my circus, not my monkeys." Learn it, love it, live it.

Good luck!

My balance is really bad. Another area I need to work

I love yoga. It's a really cool experience and not like any other exercise. Having said that, the class I've been taking for about 3 months now is a combination of yoga, Pilates, tai chi and meditation. It's low key and you do what you can but afterwards whoah! I am really energized. My balance has improved noticeably, my abs are a bit stronger (though I won't lie, they're nowhere near strong; I can't do a single situp on my own!), and I find that my flexibility has definitely improved. I hope you have the same results with your yoga class!

Thank you!

I'm getting into yoga myself. I really like the channel called 'Yoga with Adriene' on YouTube. Here's a link to one of her beginner videos.