Guest guest Posted October 10, 2004 Report Share Posted October 10, 2004 I am 48yo male and I startd classes in April this year and I was wondering if there is anything that I can do to help with my flexability. It seems that as classes go on I lose flexablity not gain? Also in class when we are doing the different poses my lower back seems to lock up and when I fold in half it is painful but I push through it. Throughout class I focucs on my butt trying to force it to stay relaxed and try to make my stomach and legs do the work. Any help would be a blessing. Thanks Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 12, 2004 Report Share Posted October 12, 2004 Jim, This sounds like a classic case of doing too much and pushing too hard. I have had the experience of losing flexibility. Once I backed off (doing just 15 minutes daily and increasing time s-l-o-w- l-y from there) I was fine and had no more back pain. It's so important to realize that even though we may do amazing athletic things with our bodies, ashtanga is putting our bodies (and minds!) through such an incredible range of motion that it is imperative that we build slowly and gradually. David Swenson's book (and short forms video) gives great instructions for starting with 15 minutes of practice and building from there. ashtanga yoga, "Jim" <j1369k@a...> wrote: > > > I am 48yo male and I startd classes in April this year and I was > wondering if there is anything that I can do to help with my > flexability. It seems that as classes go on I lose flexablity not > gain? > Also in class when we are doing the different poses my lower back > seems to lock up and when I fold in half it is painful but I push > through it. Throughout class I focucs on my butt trying to force it > to stay relaxed and try to make my stomach and legs do the work. > Any help would be a blessing. > Thanks > Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2004 Report Share Posted October 13, 2004 Dear Jim, Interested in your post, for I am also a 48 year old man who started practice in late January of this year. My experience has been that getting on a very regular class schedule (at leat 3 and usually 4/week) has been immensely helpful. I also lift weights and run, and ashtanga yoga has improved my endurance as well. My teacher is big on never pushing beyond limits or to any pain, and for making adjustments to difficult poses. I have great flexibility in seated postures, for instance, and have a hard time with standing/leg extension postures. I'm just taking it bit by bit, and know that it will take time. Also, my major focus is on the breath when I'm in a challenging posture. So far, I've had no injuries or pain from practice. I guess my suggestion is not pushing into or beyond pain, and being very regular about practice (which you may already be). And, for me, realizing that while I won't be able to do everything I did at 28 or even 38, I'm enjoying this new part of my life a great deal for what I can do. Namaste, Gordon ashtanga yoga, "Jim" <j1369k@a...> wrote: > > > I am 48yo male and I startd classes in April this year and I was > wondering if there is anything that I can do to help with my > flexability. It seems that as classes go on I lose flexablity not > gain? > Also in class when we are doing the different poses my lower back > seems to lock up and when I fold in half it is painful but I push > through it. Throughout class I focucs on my butt trying to force it > to stay relaxed and try to make my stomach and legs do the work. > Any help would be a blessing. > Thanks > Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2004 Report Share Posted October 13, 2004 There should be a GuideBook for older Ashtangis! I am now 55 and started at 50, never having stood on a yoga mat before. It is certainly true that the older ligaments and joints take longer to stretch and open, but open and stretch they will, with perseverence and peristence. I take Fish Oil / Cod Liver Oil capsules daily, and they have definitely helped my joints to be more flexible. I find that if I practice more than 5 times a week I get too exhausted, and I get depleted rather than recharged and energised. All the major joints take forever to open and relax and 'give' a bit, but with regular practice it does get easier. It's just that, compared with those in their 20's, its a lot tougher and requires more dedication and committment. They can achieve in weeks what it takes us months to do. But on the other hand, being older means a more mellow approach, less competitiveness and being more satisfied with just doing what you can on the day. I wish I could do more to spread the word to older people that Ashtanga is not just for young people. So many older people seem to think that, and its such a shame, because its not, at all - it is for any age, gender, or previous level of flexibility or history of illness or injury. I have a hip replacement and it doesn't stop me, in fact, the ashtanga helps so much. Shanti. ashtanga yoga, "gthomas872" <gthomas872> wrote: > > > Dear Jim, > > Interested in your post, for I am also a 48 year old man who started practice in late January > of this year. My experience has been that getting on a very regular class schedule (at leat 3 > and usually 4/week) has been immensely helpful. I also lift weights and run, and ashtanga > yoga has improved my endurance as well. > > My teacher is big on never pushing beyond limits or to any pain, and for making > adjustments to difficult poses. I have great flexibility in seated postures, for instance, and > have a hard time with standing/leg extension postures. I'm just taking it bit by bit, and > know that it will take time. Also, my major focus is on the breath when I'm in a challenging > posture. So far, I've had no injuries or pain from practice. > > I guess my suggestion is not pushing into or beyond pain, and being very regular about > practice (which you may already be). And, for me, realizing that while I won't be able to do > everything I did at 28 or even 38, I'm enjoying this new part of my life a great deal for > what I can do. > > Namaste, > > Gordon > > > > > ashtanga yoga, "Jim" <j1369k@a...> wrote: > > > > > > I am 48yo male and I startd classes in April this year and I was > > wondering if there is anything that I can do to help with my > > flexability. It seems that as classes go on I lose flexablity not > > gain? > > Also in class when we are doing the different poses my lower back > > seems to lock up and when I fold in half it is painful but I push > > through it. Throughout class I focucs on my butt trying to force it > > to stay relaxed and try to make my stomach and legs do the work. > > Any help would be a blessing. > > Thanks > > Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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