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I am always working on bird of paradise and half moon. Some days I can get them, others I literally fall on my face

It's very interesting how balance can be off one day from the next, sometimes one side or one moment from the next.

Did I mention bow pose to prepare for wheel? In classes I have taken, bridge is always done a few times before wheel is attempted.

I tried it yesterday. My back cramped up. I've been having problems with that on my right side a lot lately. Don't know what the deal is. My hamstrings have been cramping, too. We did wild thing last night, which I usually can easily do. I couldn't hold it because my hamstrings cramped and it hurt!

I've searched for info on muscle cramping. All I can find is about random leg and foot cramps. Nothing about why muscles would suddenly start cramping in yoga poses that used to not be a problem.

Quick question for you all. I've been wanting to do yoga for awhile now and just haven't pulled the trigger. I've been looking into what's available around me that can work for me, my schedule. Should I just go in and tell then I'm a newbie and have no experience at all, obviously I would start at a beginners class. Any tips from you vets or how to prepare myself? I prefer doing a class and not a YouTube video or DVD, it's easier for me being in a class for something like this.

Should I just go in and tell then I'm a newbie and have no experience at all,

yes. this happens all the time. Being I teach hot yoga I tell them to put their mat down by the door, bring water and take breaks as necessary. Just know your body and don't push yourself. Maybe just watch a video or look at some poses online so you can see what Downward facing dog looks like.

know that it takes years to develop muscles to hold some of these poses.

Yoga is not about touching your toes - it's about what you learn on the way down.

Thanks, I most likely won't start going until after the new year. My work is gearing up for the holidays. I'll educate myself on the basics before I go. I have a friend that does bikram but I don't think that's for me. I already sweat tremendously at work and don't need anymore weight loss. I think the old me was scared to try yoga (not sure why) but the new me is ready for it.

That's awesome, J! Yeah, just tell the instructor your new and about any injuries you have. The instructor should ask, anyway. The instructors at my studio always introduce themselves to new people.

You really don't need to study before class. Nothing wrong with that, of course, just not necessary.

Remember that it's not about fitting your body into the pose. It's about fitting the pose to your body. IOW, in other words, don't worry about doing it "right". Everyone looks different in every pose.

"Remember that it's not about fitting your body into the pose. It's about fitting the pose to your body."

curious if anyone as experienced an ease in poses and an ability to do physical things you could not do before as you got farther and farther away from infidelity?

nutmeg

it is nice to hear about other SI ers challenging themselves in healthy ways!!!

I have been enjoying half moon

curious if anyone as experienced an ease in poses and an ability to do physical things you could not do before as you got farther and farther away from infidelity?

Yes, definitely. I was so, so tired for a couple years after dday and divorcing. I actually started hot yoga during that time. Fast forward to today and I have a lot more endurance and strength to do things like mow my own lawn and stuff like that. Even regular, every day things are easier. It's just that much more energy that's NOT consumed by the infidelity any more that I have to spend on other things!

curious if anyone as experienced an ease in poses and an ability to do physical things you could not do before as you got farther and farther away from infidelity?

I have not. But, I didn't notice a change in my physical abilities right after dday. I notice that I am having more difficulty moving in and out of poses as I age. My joints ache. Sometimes I have to move very slowly into a forward fold even though I'm told my hamstrings are very open. I got yelled at (jokingly) once by an instructor to grab a block and put it outside my feet to hold in seated forward fold.

I'm also told my hips and shoulders are very open. It doesn't feel that way to me. I am definitely less flexible now than I was 20 years ago. (Man! I can't believe I'm old enough to compare myself to myself 20 years ago! I was 30. )

I am stronger now. And, once I get into a pose, I can go a lot deeper. I think that's from continuous almost daily practice for over a year, not from any emotional state.

Coco it is kinda weird but I just keep getting stronger and more flexible. I don't do a lot of repetitive stuff. But

I keep getting stronger and more flexible and for that I am amazingly grateful.

And grateful to you all for your encouragement on this journey.

nutmegkitty what a great name! yea it varies with me from day to day.

But I do love half moon and its challenge!

I don't think you have to a lot of repetitive stuff. A lot of postures overlap in the muscles and joints they strengthen and stretch.

I recently started a Beachbody workout at home. One of the exercises is what the trainer calls good mornings or something like that. She said it's one of the hardest moves, I think because it requires balance. It's basically just going in and out of vira 3 repeatedly. It is probably the easiest thing for me to do. Another one is tricep pushups. I could do those all day, most likely because of all the chatarangas I do. Now, regular chest push-ups, nope.

I do definitely have a calm I didn't have before.

My studio posted this on Facebook this morning. Interesting timing, I think.

I am teaching a level 1 hatha class on Thursday. The theme is the root chakra, because I think we all need a little extra grounding during the holiday season.

Everything is good except that I'm short about 6 minutes. I can easily add some more stretching/cooling down at the end. I'd prefer to add something to my standing warrior series. I have warrior 2 to extended side angle to trikonasana.

I don't want to do warrior 3 because it's feels more like a flight pose than a grounding pose. I could do pyramid pose, but that doesn't feel right to me, either. I'm at a loss.

Any suggestions?

Have students readjust feet and find goddess

I don't like goddess. I also don't like reverse warrior. I doubt I will ever put either of those in a class I'm teaching.

I practiced it again this morning adding in an extra chair pose. That time, I went way over. 🤷‍♀️

I guess I'll just stick with what I have. If we end up with lots of extra time at the end, I'll throw in a, "if there's any other pose your body is calling for,". Otherwise, we'll have an extra long savasana. No one usually complains about that. ☺️

My class went really well. Everyone, including my fave yoga teacher, said they really enjoyed it. Just what they needed.

I actually ran out of time and had to cut out a few poses. My H reminded me that that happens every time. I consistently can do my classes in 45 minutes, even when I talk through the. I freak out every time that I'm short. Then, I teach the class and end up going over or cutting stuff out. 🤷‍♀️

About goddess, moon and sunflower, and reverse warrior. I think I have a bit of a prejudice against those asanas. I vaguely remember being told in a class that they are not part of the original, traditional yoga asanas. I think I don't like them partly because they aren't "real" yoga to me. Have y'all heard that?

Reverse warrior, I just don't like. I don't get anything out of it. I don't feel an opening or stretch along my side body. I don't feel any more strength or power in my legs. I really don't understand the point of that one.