Posted by Anna Sugden Jan 27 2012, 1:07 am
Regular visitors to this blog know that I’ve been struggling with back problems for the past eighteen months or so. The explanation for what’s wrong is sciatica or problems with L5, but in general what happens is lower back pain and numbness down the back of my left leg to my knee with exercise (running, walking etc).
This has curtailed what was a good running program of 5k, three times a week. I tried walking, but even that caused problems. I also tried working out on the elliptical and pilates, but nothing really worked. I’ve had physio and visited an osteopath, with no easing of the problem.
A number of people had recommended yoga. Partly because it’s a good way to get your body aligned better and partly because it’s a good form of stretching exercise which might help with the problems I was having.
Now, I’ll admit yoga has never been something that appealed. For a start, I’m more active – running, aerobics, dance, boxing – that’s more my scene. Yoga was too sedentary and slow. I’m also not one for meditation or anything like that – too active a brain and probably a little ADD.
But, just before Christmas a friend said she wanted to go to yoga and that it might help me. Now, going to these things with a friend always helps – when one of you isn’t in the mood, the other will egg you on to go. It’s much easier to bow out without someone else.
So … we signed up for a beginner yoga class and off we went.
I was pleasantly surprised. I will say that I think a large part of my positive feelings about yoga have come from the class instructor, who is a very normal woman with a lovely voice, who doesn’t look or act like an over-zealous kook! She makes the yoga experience seem very down to earth and like a normal exercise discipline.
It’s actually quite hard work! The positions, the discipline, the stretches, the concentration. Even though it’s not as active as boxing, it taxes the body and brain in a very similar way!
Even after one session, I was pleasantly surprised at how much quieter my brain was and how much better my body felt overall. I felt more in tune with my body, was more aware of the joints, the bones and muscles.I even ached, in a good way! I’m more conscious of the little movements to make sure I’m sitting properly, stretching properly, better aligned.
Yoga is not something that’s going to help me lose weight or make me fitter, as such. But I can see how it will help my body to be better and be more flexible. I can see how it will get me back into a sort of shape so that I can return to running and exercising. I can see how it can help me to quiet my brain so that I can work better and more efficiently. It’s also a great stress-reducer.
A month into my yoga experiment, I’m ready to sign up for more lessons and have bought a DVD to see if I can do more of it at home – once a week isn’t enough – I think I’d benefit from more sessions.
Have you tried yoga? What did you think? Do you have the same pre-conceived notions about yoga? Can you see yourself benefiting from a quieter brain and a more aligned body?
Posted by Trish Milburn Jan 26 2012, 12:01 am in eating healthy, exercise, guest blogger, weight loss
By Nancy Northcott Well, here we are two months into my efforts to whittle down my weight. I have to admit those efforts haven’t been as zealous as they need to be. I’ve modified my eating habits but haven’t managed to get the exercise portion of the program going. Even so, I’ve lost 1.8 pounds. [...]
Posted by Trish Milburn Jan 25 2012, 12:01 am in The Biggest Loser, Trish Milburn
In a season where The Biggest Loser is making an attempt to tackle all the excuses people make to not take care of themselves, this week’s was the “I don’t have a gym membership” one. The aim of the episode was to show that you don’t have to have a gym membership to lose weight. [...]
Posted by Trish Milburn Jan 24 2012, 12:01 am in eating healthy, exercise, goals, Trish Milburn, weight loss, Writing
Some of you might have noticed that I flat out forgot to do my regular post here last Tuesday. That’s just one of the side effects of my crazy January full of pressing deadlines. The other — I’ve done abysmally on eating and exercise this month. I’ve made some good food choices and gotten a [...]
Posted by Michelle Butler Jan 22 2012, 10:00 pm in bad habits, eating healthy, exercise, fitness, food diary, Michelle Butler, Michelle Mondays, motivation
I can’t seem to find my motivation. I know what I should be doing to pursue my health and fitness goals, but I just can’t seem to do them. To make things worse, baked goods (half the time baked by me!) and other not-wise-food choices keep calling my name, and I answer their cry. I [...]
