I've been taking yoga for about 2 years now

[Sealy]

I'm so much more flexible than I ever was before. I've had lower back issues in the past, and along with core strengthening...yoga has really helped to keep me in check.

I'm starting back at my running again, which I was nearly at 10K before my back went out. I'm only up to about 15 min runs right now, but I really want to make sure my lower back holds.

People say (usually the old over weight crowd) Why do you bother?? To which I answer, it's something I "have" to do...I love it!

Are you guys the same way with working out, or whatever it is that drives you in fitness?

 

[Mikey]

Weightlifting has actually helped me reduce and vanquish my lower back pains. I seriously strained my lower back while working several years back. It wasn't until I began weightlifting when the pain started going away. It was the muscle growth in that region that helped support and reinforce my spine. I believe that was the remedy.

 

[Megatomic]

Yeah, I get told I'm insane for my running habit, too. But I also get alot of cred for it. My reason for running is that I feel so much better afterwards and it helps me de-stress. My family likes me much better as a runner than they did when I was a fat ass computer nerd.

Another reason I like to run is that the race events are awesome. The comaraderie and excitement is mind blowing and addictive. I just can't seem to get enough.

ps - weight lifting and plyometrics helped me fix my trick knee. I had a hard time walking on it a few years ago, now I can run 16+ miles and not feel a twinge.

 

[StageLeft]

I wish I had more motivation for yoga, but I don't. I do some stretching including some yoga stuff, but not a great deal. I think that it's a great approach for somebody with injuries (like me) and can possibly offer good help for somebody who spends most of their days in a chair, like most of us.

ps - weight lifting and plyometrics helped me fix my trick knee

What do you do for plyo?

 

[Sealy]

I've come to the conclusion that it's not "one thing" for me that keeps me healthy. Along with yoga, and running, I also have a once a week session with a trainer who does stretching with resistance with me. It's a way to keep muscles long and strong at the same time, and gives me the definition I want as well.

Mikey: I'm so glad that you've rectified your back issues, they are the worst!!
Megatomic: Good for you getting active and healthy! Nothing sexier than an in shape computer nerd
Skoorb: Yoga isn't for everyone for sure...and I'm not all about "living" the yoga life, where we walk in harmony and ohming non stop Stretching though is important though, so you should do some at least once a day...even if it's just for 10 mins.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: Sealy
I've come to the conclusion that it's not "one thing" for me that keeps me healthy. Along with yoga, and running, I also have a once a week session with a trainer who does stretching with resistance with me. It's a way to keep muscles long and strong at the same time, and gives me the definition I want as well.

Mikey: I'm so glad that you've rectified your back issues, they are the worst!!
Megatomic: Good for you getting active and healthy! Nothing sexier than an in shape computer nerd
Skoorb: Yoga isn't for everyone for sure...and I'm not all about "living" the yoga life, where we walk in harmony and ohming non stop Stretching though is important though, so you should do some at least once a day...even if it's just for 10 mins.

Hrm. To me, stretching with resistance sounds like a terrible idea. It sounds like you could damage a lot of things. No physical therapy I know uses it. No serious trainer I know uses it. I would be wary of that because something like that can create a lot of strain on joints and you wouldn't even know it.

 

[Sealy]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: Sealy
I've come to the conclusion that it's not "one thing" for me that keeps me healthy. Along with yoga, and running, I also have a once a week session with a trainer who does stretching with resistance with me. It's a way to keep muscles long and strong at the same time, and gives me the definition I want as well.

Mikey: I'm so glad that you've rectified your back issues, they are the worst!!
Megatomic: Good for you getting active and healthy! Nothing sexier than an in shape computer nerd
Skoorb: Yoga isn't for everyone for sure...and I'm not all about "living" the yoga life, where we walk in harmony and ohming non stop Stretching though is important though, so you should do some at least once a day...even if it's just for 10 mins.

Hrm. To me, stretching with resistance sounds like a terrible idea. It sounds like you could damage a lot of things. No physical therapy I know uses it. No serious trainer I know uses it. I would be wary of that because something like that can create a lot of strain on joints and you wouldn't even know it.

It's hard to explain, but it's probably not what you're thinking. It's really not entirely different from weight lifting, except you contract your muscle as you go into the stretch... this website talks a bit about it:

Text

 

[EvilYoda]

Yoga combines well with crossfit for me - crossfit's made more dramatic changes in my body, but yoga fixed an issue I was having in the middle of my back. Plus it's a nice time to meditate and it helps with my flexibility.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: Sealy

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: Sealy
I've come to the conclusion that it's not "one thing" for me that keeps me healthy. Along with yoga, and running, I also have a once a week session with a trainer who does stretching with resistance with me. It's a way to keep muscles long and strong at the same time, and gives me the definition I want as well.

Mikey: I'm so glad that you've rectified your back issues, they are the worst!!
Megatomic: Good for you getting active and healthy! Nothing sexier than an in shape computer nerd
Skoorb: Yoga isn't for everyone for sure...and I'm not all about "living" the yoga life, where we walk in harmony and ohming non stop Stretching though is important though, so you should do some at least once a day...even if it's just for 10 mins.

Hrm. To me, stretching with resistance sounds like a terrible idea. It sounds like you could damage a lot of things. No physical therapy I know uses it. No serious trainer I know uses it. I would be wary of that because something like that can create a lot of strain on joints and you wouldn't even know it.

It's hard to explain, but it's probably not what you're thinking. It's really not entirely different from weight lifting, except you contract your muscle as you go into the stretch... this website talks a bit about it:

Text

It's like PNF stretching through a movement, which I wouldn't have a problem with if a professional was actually doing the movements on you. People cannot reproduce consistent movements over and over while doing stuff like this. That's why bouncing while stretching is a terrible idea. However, a professional can utilize the bounce to push the muscle further because he/she can reproduce very similar forces each time. Hm, it's not as bad as I thought it was because it's dynamic stretches rather than static stretches, but I still don't think it's entirely perfect. I've never done it though so if you swear by it and it works for you, more pwoer to ya. Just be careful not to strain anything.

 

[Patt]

My wife's a yoga instructor ... hasn't taught for a while, but she still works me out now and again. When she was taking training, I was a guinea pig for a fellow student, and in 2 months, I went from mid-shin on a hamstring stretch to being able to stand on my fingers without problem. I've been focussing on weight training recently, with some yoga on the 'off' days, and I must say although I don't particularly love the sessions, I do love the results.

 

[gramboh]

I wish I had a qualified PT here to work PNF on me, I need these damn hamstrings to loosen up. I might try Yoga just to see what it's like, the GF does it sometimes and she can keep better squat form in the hole than me, even though I'm 3 inches taller and her legs are longer than mine (she also does not do any weight training, just that flexible).

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: gramboh
I wish I had a qualified PT here to work PNF on me, I need these damn hamstrings to loosen up. I might try Yoga just to see what it's like, the GF does it sometimes and she can keep better squat form in the hole than me, even though I'm 3 inches taller and her legs are longer than mine (she also does not do any weight training, just that flexible).

You can do PNF stretching by yourself or with another person if you're creative. I've done hammie PNF with myself and a corner of a wall. I put the leg I'm not stretching past where the wall is for the other leg. I then stretch the hammie a bit, do a isometric contraction for 7 seconds, then push myself further into the wall. It helps a bit. If I stretch and warmup for about 5 minutes, I can get my entire palm at the inside of my foot. I'm still workin' on the splits though.

 

[Sealy]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: Sealy

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: Sealy
I've come to the conclusion that it's not "one thing" for me that keeps me healthy. Along with yoga, and running, I also have a once a week session with a trainer who does stretching with resistance with me. It's a way to keep muscles long and strong at the same time, and gives me the definition I want as well.

Mikey: I'm so glad that you've rectified your back issues, they are the worst!!
Megatomic: Good for you getting active and healthy! Nothing sexier than an in shape computer nerd
Skoorb: Yoga isn't for everyone for sure...and I'm not all about "living" the yoga life, where we walk in harmony and ohming non stop Stretching though is important though, so you should do some at least once a day...even if it's just for 10 mins.

Hrm. To me, stretching with resistance sounds like a terrible idea. It sounds like you could damage a lot of things. No physical therapy I know uses it. No serious trainer I know uses it. I would be wary of that because something like that can create a lot of strain on joints and you wouldn't even know it.

It's hard to explain, but it's probably not what you're thinking. It's really not entirely different from weight lifting, except you contract your muscle as you go into the stretch... this website talks a bit about it:

Text

It's like PNF stretching through a movement, which I wouldn't have a problem with if a professional was actually doing the movements on you. People cannot reproduce consistent movements over and over while doing stuff like this. That's why bouncing while stretching is a terrible idea. However, a professional can utilize the bounce to push the muscle further because he/she can reproduce very similar forces each time. Hm, it's not as bad as I thought it was because it's dynamic stretches rather than static stretches, but I still don't think it's entirely perfect. I've never done it though so if you swear by it and it works for you, more pwoer to ya. Just be careful not to strain anything.

We don't do any bouncing, and yes she very trained in this and other things as well. I've had a slight knee issue, from an accident a long time ago, and if it starts bothering me...then we stop right away. She doesn't believe in no pain no gain at risk of injury.

I don't know that I'd swear by it, but it's definitely helped with my strength, just as much as weight training did in the past, with faster results...so I dunno.

The guy who developed this, was a big weight trainer and was about 230lbs in muscle. He was in an accident and lost a lot of that, he develped this (because he had nothing else to do while he was recovering) and lost about 30lbs of muscle. He went back into the gym and could lift exactly the same weight he was lifting before.

 

[lovemovement]

It's not at all like PNF stretching - which is a technique I don't entirely agree with. In resistive flexibility there is an emphasis on a slow, controlled movement so that at all times the person being stretched feels like they are completed connected to each individual muscle they work with. I fully agree on the not bouncing in a stretch, even if you're working with a trainer who is experienced bouncing is a bad idea for any muscle when it's elongated.

 

[Sealy]

Originally posted by: lovemovement
It's not at all like PNF stretching - which is a technique I don't entirely agree with. In resistive flexibility there is an emphasis on a slow, controlled movement so that at all times the person being stretched feels like they are completed connected to each individual muscle they work with. I fully agree on the not bouncing in a stretch, even if you're working with a trainer who is experienced bouncing is a bad idea for any muscle when it's elongated.

That's what I was trying to say!!!!

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: Sealy
Megatomic: Good for you getting active and healthy! Nothing sexier than an in shape computer nerd

lol That's almost an oxymoron isn't it?

 

[Sealy]

Originally posted by: Megatomic

Originally posted by: Sealy
Megatomic: Good for you getting active and healthy! Nothing sexier than an in shape computer nerd

lol That's almost an oxymoron isn't it?

haha, no way!

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: Sealy

Originally posted by: Megatomic

Originally posted by: Sealy
Megatomic: Good for you getting active and healthy! Nothing sexier than an in shape computer nerd

lol That's almost an oxymoron isn't it?

haha, no way!

woohoo!!

Back on topic, I almost picked up a book on yoga for athletes today, it's endorsed by many triathlon coaches. Maybe next time.

 

[zerocool1]

I've pulled yoga into my running training and I've only been at it for a couple of months now but I think it has helped me stay injury free and work on my core.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

I've been meaning to attend a yoga class. Looks like a great way to improve my flexibility.

Have you guys tried hot yoga?

 

[Sealy]

Originally posted by: M0oG0oGaiPan
I've been meaning to attend a yoga class. Looks like a great way to improve my flexibility.

Have you guys tried hot yoga?

no, but I'd be leery...just because being warm relaxes muscle so you stretch further then your muscles would normally be able to go and you could hurt yourself....

 

[EvilYoda]

Originally posted by: Sealy

Originally posted by: M0oG0oGaiPan
I've been meaning to attend a yoga class. Looks like a great way to improve my flexibility.

Have you guys tried hot yoga?

no, but I'd be leery...just because being warm relaxes muscle so you stretch further then your muscles would normally be able to go and you could hurt yourself....

meh, it's always been great for me. Just know your limits and don't be stupid.

Have fun your first few times...let us know if you puke, pass out, or leave the room.

 

[sash1]

Originally posted by: Sealy
Are you guys the same way with working out, or whatever it is that drives you in fitness?

i work out so i don't go nuts. i started running when i was 5. when i decided to stop in college, i had to keep working out, so i started lifting and cycling. i can't not work out, i'll go crazy