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A few weeks ago I ordered a 2-DVD set called, “Gentle Yoga.” I received it in the mail yesterday and thought I would listen to part of the first one today to get an idea of what I would be trying to do ‘soon.’
An hour later, I had listened to the introduction, which stressed that this yoga exercise was for people 60 and older, who had ‘issues’ of various types or had had surgery, sedentary folks, and those who had never done this before. That was encouraging! I also TRIED one section of the 1st DVD called “Neck and Shoulders.”
I have to admit I’m amazed. Although I’m not as flexible as I would like to be by a long shot, I was able to do everything the teacher asked. I just ‘did what I could do’ as she suggested on each of the poses, concentrating on BREATHING while in the poses and trying to relax into each stretch. We did things for the neck, shoulders and jaw. We ended the session stretched out, completely relaxed, for as long as we wanted.
I also have to admit that I guess I don’t really relax much. During the ending relaxing session, I kept opening my eyes to see if the session were over, and there was a beautiful moving picture of a nice stream in the middle of a beautiful green landscape with lots of trees. I did this three times before the session was actually over. A lesson in itself!
My neck and shoulders don’t feel as relaxed as they would if I had had a massage, but they definitely feel more relaxed, looser, and BETTER than they did when I started. AND, as I learn to do what she’s asking better and better, my results are supposed to improve.
My goal will be to do the first DVD, concentrating on neck and shoulders, joint mobility, and lower back one day, and then the 2nd DVD, concentrating on spinal health, hips/legs/balance, and overall flow the next day.
I feel excited about this. I know I need it, and that it can do me a lot of good. The teacher is very good, emphasizing that you just try each thing, doing the best you can each time, and not worry about anything. Even learn to take yourself less seriously.
My mantra of ‘be better than you were yesterday’ fits right in here!
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Good for you! I started yoga again (after a about a 40 year absence) two years ago. I didn’t realize how stiff I had become — it was embarrassing. It’s been a long slow process, but I’m glad I stayed with it. Being able to follow online classes has worked very well for me. Just a few months from turning 60 I feel great.
Thanks for the encouragement, Genie. I’m glad yoga has worked for you, even though you’re still a baby. I’ll be 70 in March. Maybe we can compare notes from time to time. I would appreciate your voice of experience.
I know. We live in a 60 + community and I’m still a baby around here too. 🙂
Smart place to live. You’ll always feel young there, Genie. :0)
A little too young sometimes. Everyone treats me like a child. But live in a beautiful place at the lake. That’s why we’re here. 🙂
I’m happy for you that you’re living in a home you love by the lake. How wonderful! I hope they at least treat you like a precocious, creative, polite child. :0)
You are doing great with the yoga, Linda 🙂
Yoga is so good for us.
I’ve always wanted to try it, but was intimidated. Being able to do it, concentrating on the teacher and trying to do what she’s asking, is the best way for me. Do you do yoga, Irene?
Yes, I do yoga too and start in a new school at Tuesday and will stay there twice a week with another kind of yoga. Good for you, that you do yoga now.
Yet ANOTHER reason to admire you, Irene. I hope you love your new class and feel great.
Thank you Linda. I hope too, this time is will be very challenging because of my health, but I hope, that all will be good.
Please remember to just do what you can do, Irene. I hope this class is just what you need to feel really good again. Please keep me up on your progress. Fingers crossed for you.
Thank you Linda 🙂