Yoga - the different types and men doing Yoga
Discussion
I've recently started doing Yoga, been going to a variety of 3 different classes to fit in with my work schedule each week.
What I'm finding odd is that they are all SO different... One is full on and incredibly hard work, they are very serious, another is hard work and a lot of fun at the same time and the last is what I would consider fairly easy but very relaxing - with lots of meditation. One has a handful of men, another has one or two and the last has none (hardly surprising).
I've always been a more extreme sports person, going climbing, wakeboarding, snowboarding and gym.... I didn't think I'd like it but I was pretty surprised at quite how hard the hard Yoga is! Also surprised at how amazing I feel afterwards. More energised and also relaxed at the same time - quite odd. I can see how it would really complement other sports.
Does anyone else go?
How many men here have either tried Yoga or regularly do Yoga?
What I'm finding odd is that they are all SO different... One is full on and incredibly hard work, they are very serious, another is hard work and a lot of fun at the same time and the last is what I would consider fairly easy but very relaxing - with lots of meditation. One has a handful of men, another has one or two and the last has none (hardly surprising).
I've always been a more extreme sports person, going climbing, wakeboarding, snowboarding and gym.... I didn't think I'd like it but I was pretty surprised at quite how hard the hard Yoga is! Also surprised at how amazing I feel afterwards. More energised and also relaxed at the same time - quite odd. I can see how it would really complement other sports.
Does anyone else go?
How many men here have either tried Yoga or regularly do Yoga?
Edited by parakitaMol. on Thursday 26th November 10:36
Yes, it varies from bikram yoga (crazy stuff) and ashtanga to hatha. I practice similar things based on similar principles that incorporate different types of asanas and similar concepts wrt pranayama and savasama as part of my martial arts training. The influence for the stuff I do is largely oriental, naturally. 
I've often considered attending a yoga class cos of the view and I'd fit in, being flexible. That said, I can't do Tuesdays.
I've often considered attending a yoga class cos of the view and I'd fit in, being flexible. That said, I can't do Tuesdays.
Edited by ShadownINja on Thursday 26th November 10:52
sleep envy said:
mrs envy does yoga, don't know which one but she doesn't do the meditation stuff as it makes her cranky (odd I know)
she has on occasion done yoga in saunas which, apperently, is very good indeed - really gets you working and purges the system
Yep I've heard of some classes being held in high temps - to be honest I don't like the idea of that at all.she has on occasion done yoga in saunas which, apperently, is very good indeed - really gets you working and purges the system
I like the one with really difficult poses - my entire body hurt afterwards and I see it as a real challenge to achieve which makes me want to go back more than just going to the gym.
plasticpig said:
No you haven't been doing Yoga. You have been doing asanas from Hatha Yoga. Yoga is not just exercise it is a complete religious philosophy. Go and read the Bhagavad Gita and you will find that asanas and meditation form a part of a much larger whole.
Like I said, I'm a beginner and I have 'experienced' 3 different peoples delivery of what is generically entitled 'Yoga' - I do fully appreciate this is a catch-all for a number of different approaches - I enjoyed the class with 45 minutes of meditation the least of the 3 and from my very limited experience I know intuitively which style of the 3 I do prefer and which suit my current need. 
Also for the purpose of the internet I think I'd look a bit of a t
t if I'd started a thread called 'who does asanas from Hatha Yoga' Thanks for the reading recommendation, whilst I am interested in philosophy generally, I was aware of the wider discipline but I'm not gonna read that so I won't lie and tell you I will.
Edited by parakitaMol. on Thursday 26th November 13:34
parakitaMol. said:
sleep envy said:
mrs envy does yoga, don't know which one but she doesn't do the meditation stuff as it makes her cranky (odd I know)
she has on occasion done yoga in saunas which, apperently, is very good indeed - really gets you working and purges the system
Yep I've heard of some classes being held in high temps - to be honest I don't like the idea of that at all.she has on occasion done yoga in saunas which, apperently, is very good indeed - really gets you working and purges the system
I like the one with really difficult poses - my entire body hurt afterwards and I see it as a real challenge to achieve which makes me want to go back more than just going to the gym.
ShadownINja said:
parakitaMol. said:
sleep envy said:
mrs envy does yoga, don't know which one but she doesn't do the meditation stuff as it makes her cranky (odd I know)
she has on occasion done yoga in saunas which, apperently, is very good indeed - really gets you working and purges the system
Yep I've heard of some classes being held in high temps - to be honest I don't like the idea of that at all.she has on occasion done yoga in saunas which, apperently, is very good indeed - really gets you working and purges the system
I like the one with really difficult poses - my entire body hurt afterwards and I see it as a real challenge to achieve which makes me want to go back more than just going to the gym.
parakitaMol. said:
ShadownINja said:
parakitaMol. said:
sleep envy said:
mrs envy does yoga, don't know which one but she doesn't do the meditation stuff as it makes her cranky (odd I know)
she has on occasion done yoga in saunas which, apperently, is very good indeed - really gets you working and purges the system
Yep I've heard of some classes being held in high temps - to be honest I don't like the idea of that at all.she has on occasion done yoga in saunas which, apperently, is very good indeed - really gets you working and purges the system
I like the one with really difficult poses - my entire body hurt afterwards and I see it as a real challenge to achieve which makes me want to go back more than just going to the gym.
Try ashtanga. (Otherwise known as Nazi Yoga). The room is warm but not overly hot, the idea being to build up heat in the body via a sequence of moves in rapid succession.
For a week after my first session of that, I ached in places I didn't know you could ache. Only thing is, there isn't anywhere in Surrey which offers it.
For a week after my first session of that, I ached in places I didn't know you could ache. Only thing is, there isn't anywhere in Surrey which offers it.
Mobile Chicane said:
Try ashtanga. (Otherwise known as Nazi Yoga). The room is warm but not overly hot, the idea being to build up heat in the body via a sequence of moves in rapid succession.
For a week after my first session of that, I ached in places I didn't know you could ache. Only thing is, there isn't anywhere in Surrey which offers it.
Hey Mobile ChicaneFor a week after my first session of that, I ached in places I didn't know you could ache. Only thing is, there isn't anywhere in Surrey which offers it.
Google says different! There are a few offering that style (one around Thames Ditton) not sure where you are? and after reading the website of the one that hurt but I really enjoyed, it does say "based on ashtanga" so that's explained a lot.
Thanks for your help.
Edited by parakitaMol. on Thursday 26th November 19:21
I practise Swasthya yoga.
Apparently it's meant to be the most ancient form of yoga but it's more popular in South America than here (my teacher's Brazilian).
I've not been to any other yoga class so I'm not sure how it differs to other types of yoga. We typically start a class with 15 mins of pranayama (breathing exercises), then spend an hour working through asanas, the last 15 mins are spent on yoga nidra (relaxation and meditation).
The asanas are worked through in a fairly relaxed way but holding them for a while, so although it doesn't seem like it at the time you do feel as though your muscles have had a workout the next day.
I really enjoy it!
No men in the class, although I'm sure it would be of benefit to many.
Apparently it's meant to be the most ancient form of yoga but it's more popular in South America than here (my teacher's Brazilian).
I've not been to any other yoga class so I'm not sure how it differs to other types of yoga. We typically start a class with 15 mins of pranayama (breathing exercises), then spend an hour working through asanas, the last 15 mins are spent on yoga nidra (relaxation and meditation).
The asanas are worked through in a fairly relaxed way but holding them for a while, so although it doesn't seem like it at the time you do feel as though your muscles have had a workout the next day.
I really enjoy it!
No men in the class, although I'm sure it would be of benefit to many.
captainzep said:
I would try yoga.
I'm just terrified that some static, or a thrown light switch would ignite the accumulated methane from a roomful of people who are not renowned for their legume and dried fruit temperance.
Ohh, so true!I'm just terrified that some static, or a thrown light switch would ignite the accumulated methane from a roomful of people who are not renowned for their legume and dried fruit temperance.
I used to do Hatha which is the stretchy and relaxing one. I used to really enjoy it but trying to get to the class in time was giving me more grief than I was getting rid of!
I did Fitness-Pilates as well, the instructor used all sorts of pieces of Yoga, Pilates, Ti-Chi(sp?) and music, all ending with 15 mins of deep relaxation. That was really good and more men should do it.
Stand at the back for best effect...
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