Yoga & Pilates

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Having obviously experienced a complete brainstorm at some point, I have started going to yoga classes at the local Buddhist Centre. I've done the odd class in previous incarnations as a working person able to afford gym membership, but nothing for years and years and stones and stones. And always surrounded by perfect slim blondes trying to lose the last 3 ounces so they can fit into their ten grand wedding dress. :cool:



I was wondering if anybody was interested in a thread about yoga, Pilates or other bodywork, as, if nothing else, there are moneysaving ways and then there are not so moneysaving ways to participate - but Eastern mysticism, biomechanics and whatnots aren't the sort of things I can discuss with my mates, most of whom do nothing more strenuous than lifting a pint glass.


**********************


So, to do an almost proper style introduction, I've been noticing I've been feeling a bit lopsided. I play bass and I'm very keen to avoid the damage a lot of players seems to do to themselves over time. And I'm hypermobile/EDS III, which although initially means you have a greater range of movement than other people, after a few decades of injury, you can end up with less flexibility. Oh, and improving Proprioception has to be a good thing.


So that's why I started going. And why I currently feel like one half of my pelvis has been gently pulled apart and then put back together again.



Anyone else?

shegirl

I do Pilates and Yoga at home (well just started again after doing so daily when I was working) with DVDs.

Started about 9 years ago I think and it always charged me in the morning,really does make me more energetic yet relaxed at the same time,aids balance and the breathing seems beneficial too.I think it was the stretches and flexibility that made me go for it,and attempt yoga too,as when I was younger I was quite heavily into my gymnastics -as a very busty curvey teen then woman that went well out of the window:rotfl: -so it was like using the flexibility and stretches to a degree like I used to.Means I can still bend like a card lol

psychopathbabble

I'm quite into the whole mysticism etc, just as aside not actively learning, but I have tried pilates this evening... I can see how it improves your posture etc but it's really hard to keep your stomach muscles in and pelvic floor up every time you move!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

psychopathbabble wrote: »

I'm quite into the whole mysticism etc, just as aside not actively learning, but I have tried pilates this evening... I can see how it improves your posture etc but it's really hard to keep your stomach muscles in and pelvic floor up every time you move!

I got told by my midwife many years ago that if I do pelvic floor exercises, I MUST balance the zipping up with pushing out ones when on the loo, or I'd end up with difficulty in letting go in childbirth. The few people I knew that did Pilates (which I have noticed only mention zipping up in the classes I have attended), did indeed go on to have problems in the second stage of labour or postpartum with retaining urine. I don't know whether the midwife was correct, but I always followed her advice


When I've been exercising for a few weeks, I have noticed that my waist feels tighter, like I've got a big elastic belt round it. Pity they're still hidden under a big layer of fat

psychopathbabble

What do you mean.... push as well as pull?

Thats great, that you can feel a difference already, as for the fat I'm sitting eating haribo but I did do zumba this morning and pilates this evening

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

psychopathbabble wrote: »

What do you mean.... push as well as pull?

Thats great, that you can feel a difference already, as for the fat I'm sitting eating haribo but I did do zumba this morning and pilates this evening

If you're on the loo, the usual way of engaging the pelvic floor when you first start is to halt the flow, isn't it? Then draw up in stages.

Well, the midwife said I had to also do the reverse, letting go in a controlled method, then trying to make it go quicker.

That way, you can control relaxing the muscles and moving them in the opposite direction - like being able to lift a weight up with your bicep and being able to slowly lower it, as well as pull a weight down from above, hold it, then lift it back up again.
IYSWIM.


After a while, you can push without weeing because you know where the muscles are.

And you can bear down without embarrassment.


Good for orgasm as well - or try it on the OH and see his face :whistle:

shegirl

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

If you're on the loo, the usual way of engaging the pelvic floor when you first start is to halt the flow, isn't it? Then draw up in stages.

Well, the midwife said I had to also do the reverse, letting go in a controlled method, then trying to make it go quicker.

That way, you can control relaxing the muscles and moving them in the opposite direction - like being able to lift a weight up with your bicep and being able to slowly lower it, as well as pull a weight down from above, hold it, then lift it back up again.
IYSWIM.


After a while, you can push without weeing because you know where the muscles are.

And you can bear down without embarrassment.


Good for orgasm as well - or try it on the OH and see his face :whistle:

I second that...ex loved both grip and pulsing:D:rotfl:

psychopathbabble

shegirl wrote: »

I second that...ex loved both grip and pulsing:D:rotfl:

I can certainly still grip... and I'm sure I've pushed... but not had kids yet so that could all change :rotfl: I'll be sure to remember that though, thanks

lostinrates

Isn't it odd when threads appear that can really help you but you weren't going to post about them?

My physio asked me to give up yoga as it was contraindicatory to his treament of me for a symptom of mycondition. This was about two and a half years ago now i think. Yoga was one of the few exercises i could do at all since becoming ill and it gave me a physical freedom i relished. Now i am no longer having the physio and feel as stiff as a board. I am stronger but now i feel ready to engage again.

The thing holding me back is fear of facing the changes in me over the course of the illness, and particularly the last couple of years.

I had decided in recent days i wanted to reengage wi yoga in a strictured and progressive way, and would be delighted if there were a thread to bolster this endeavour!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

lostinrates wrote: »

Isn't it odd when threads appear that can really help you but you weren't going to post about them?

My physio asked me to give up yoga as it was contraindicatory to his treament of me for a symptom of mycondition. This was about two and a half years ago now i think. Yoga was one of the few exercises i could do at all since becoming ill and it gave me a physical freedom i relished. Now i am no longer having the physio and feel as stiff as a board. I am stronger but now i feel ready to engage again.

The thing holding me back is fear of facing the changes in me over the course of the illness, and particularly the last couple of years.

I had decided in recent days i wanted to reengage wi yoga in a strictured and progressive way, and would be delighted if there were a thread to bolster this endeavour!

Isn't that called serendipity?


You'll probably find that there are still some things that you can do rather well, and some that you feel absolutely hopeless about.


But I've had 3 sessions now (so 3 and a half hours now) since Saturday morning, and I'm already feeling it having an effect again. The slight ache the next day or so is nothing compared to how it was the first time round, so my body must remember what it was like even after all these years.



So go for it. And tell us all about it!

psychopathbabble

LIR I've wanted to try yoga or pilates for a long time as my posture is bad, and my lower back gets very stiff and sore when at work on a long day or standing for long periods of time at festivals... I nearly didn't go to the classes today as I had to go on my own and I am extremely self-conscious (more than you can believe!), but I got chatting to a girl this morning and the pilates instructor was lovely (although no one else spoke to me) so my fears are somewhat lessened.

Don't let your fear stop you If you think it can help you, then it will make you feel so much better!