I started taking basic yoga classes just a couple of months ago. I still have over 50 pounds to lose (I've lost 35 so far), so I was nervous about trying. However, I've had issues with my neck & back from sitting at a desk all day and a friend recommended yoga.

Everyone in class makes me feel so comfortable and I feel great afterward. We have 20 minutes of deep relaxation at the end of every class and I think I do the work just for that reward!

I'm lazy by nature, so even though I love the atmosphere of the classes and feel so much better when I go, I still have to really talk to myself to get to class! I thought it might be nice to have a thread for any yogis out there who need support and encouragement!

Feel free to pop in and say hello!

Toga toga toga...oh, wrong thread!

Ha ha, Jimmy! So, where is that toga thread?....

As Kimmer would say, "NOT A CHANCE!"

Hello, Orvette . I'm glad you're enjoying your yoga class. I've been doing yoga for 20+ years now. Well, you can probably guess that I'm a great fan, otherwise I wouldn't keep doing it .

Hi Liz!

What are some of the things you appreciate most about yoga? It's hard for me to be dedicated about anything physical, so it will help me to have your positive feedback!

Sorry I didn't reply sooner - there's a lot going on around here these days!

I think what really got me hooked on yoga was the combination of physical and mental effect - from moving and breathing slowly. It's sort of calming, but in an invigorating kind of way. Recently, I've had a lot of stress, premenopausal hormone chaos, and lower back trouble (that's been an on and off thing for decades, that the yoga helps, but doesn't completely fix). Through all the ups and downs, one of the things that I've really appreciated is that yoga is so adaptable. If I'm away from home and have very little time, I can do something for just a few minutes. If my back's feeling unstable, I can do something very mild, then work up to the strengthening exercises. If I have no energy, I can work gently with my breath. And if I have time, energy and everything's working well, then I can do something that's demanding and challenging. It can always be adjusted to meet the needs of the moment.

Actually, I first took up yoga because I thought I should do some exercise, but have never really liked anything very physical. I liked the way it involved my mind just as much as my body, and over the years I've done various yoga courses and enjoyed studying the philosophy just as much as I've enjoyed the practice - but for me they're just different sides of the whole. Neither one is much use without the other. And the practice of yoga, and studying the philosophy have both enriched my experience in the Christian church. It's pretty much an all round thing for me.

I took my first yoga class at the beginning of the year with my 2 sisters, one older and one younger. It was a class for plus size people and The class was fine. I could do some of the poses and not some others. But, at the end, when I went to get up, I got so dizzy -- the room was just spinning. I actually thought I was having a heart attack! Then I threw up! How embarrassing. Turned out I had an inner ear infection and that was what caused the horrible reaction.

It made me real nervous about trying again, but about 8 weeks ago I signed up for a 6 week session with some friends. Loved it! Again, it's for plus size people and it's very relaxing and soothing. I also like the 15 min relaxation at the end.

I ended up signing up for the next 6 week session, which I am taking now, and I was pretty excited today because when they did the downward facing dog position, I was able to do it, and I wasn't able to in the first set of sessions.

I really enjoy the yoga and am going to try and go on Sunday mornings as well as this Tuesday night class I signed up for.

Liz,

Thank you for this post - I really needed to see it! I'm getting ready to do a move cross-country, and I haven't been doing yoga much of late. But I don't want to lose it - I really felt like it was something I needed to hold on to. Your thoughtful post has really helped me to do that!

Luv dogs,

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us! I'm so glad that yoga brought your inner ear conditon to the forefront so you could get it resolved! Your feedback is so meaningful, especially given the courage it took to try again!

Orvette, I'm glad what I wrote encouraged you. Those stressful times are when it's hardest to keep doing the things that keep us healthy - and they're also the times when we most need to look after ourselves. I hope the move goes well.

Luvdogs, I'm so pleased your first experience didn't put you off forever! It took courage to give it another go after that.

Hi Orvette and Liz,

Yeah, it was definitely daunting to try again -- I was sooooo afraid I would have the same experience. But, I didn't! I'm really enjoying the Tuesday night class, and have great intentions of making a Sunday 9:00 a.m. class, but somehow I've only made it to one of those!