Yoga - new to it, just one week in... enjoying it so far

Ok, so I'm a thirty something guy, I've always been strong and broad shouldered, but for the last decade I've probably been carry an extra 10kg or so of blubber... currently weighing in at 105kg. My day job isn't terribly sedentary as I am on my feet a lot, but I do end up with a lot of computer/desk time. My back has suffered and I have "always" had very very tight muscles. Last week I was getting shooting pains behind one knee due to muscle tightness, which I put down to breaking in a new pair of shoes. My usual emergency response to issues is a deep tissue massage, but my friend didn't have a spot for 2 weeks. For some reason yoga popped into my mind so I found a beginners video and tried it - no prior experience, preconceptions etc... at all.

After 20 minutes every evening for a week:

Shooting pains behind the knee have totally gone

The tension in the muscles deep in my lower back has eased - previously the only thing that helped there was acupuncture, and even that was as effective as the yoga has been

After the first session I was so drowsy I went to bed at about 9pm and just lay there blissed out for two hours before finally falling asleep

My range of motion has already improved - I still have incredibly tight legs but toes are almost reachable

Today I tried a new sequence and amazed myself by being able to hold Warrior Three Pose comfortably - strength and stability are already coming

Overall I've been really enjoying it, and I can feel the difference while I'm just walking around - especially the easing of tension around the lower back/pelvis.


This is the video I first found - I have nothing to compare it to, but it has been great for me to start with.




[EDITED: For a bunch of embarrassing typos and spelling mistakes]

yoga is wonderful.......I feel best when I do at least a twenty minute routine almost every day as you mention. Right now I am out of the habit and trying to work it back into my day. At 64, I can tell a huge difference in how I can move and my energy level when I practice it regularly.
My husband has pretty much 'fixed' a back injury through diligent yoga practice over a long period of time.
Even if I don't manage a full routine I try to do something while I am waiting on the tea water to boil or while watching a movie...standing in line is great for the mountain pose.......I wish I had begun in my thirties, but I think anytime is a good time to start.

I've just started a practice, too. I took a load of 'before' photos of my attempts at each asana in the sun salutation. There's no way I'm gonna share them in public until I have some decent 'after' photos to go with them though.

This is what I'm working on -



You might relate to this, from this site. I certainly do...

Burra - I love it! Thank you

Other than working in the yard my only other exercise is bicycling and yoga. I am lucky to have a wife that is a certified yoga instructor so she can give me live feedback and direction on my poses and form now but When I first started I did not know her and I found this class really good for my back. I am convinced that so many health problems come from being tight through the core.

Well, I started hitting the gym about 2 weeks ago. Weight training, but I was going to add some yoga on my "rest" days. This thread inspired me to pursue that.

I found this video really inspiring, despite the rather nauseating music...

Day 7 - touched my toes with straight legs for the first time in 10 years!

Day 8 - Still at work at 11pm... spent the last hour really looking forward to getting home and rolling the mat out. It has been a long time since I looked forward to "exercise". This morning at work I realised I was standing taller and had more bounce in my step.

yoga is pretty great. I just wish I hadn't taken it up while we were living in Japan. My self esteem took an almighty hit doing yoga with those tiny women. I'm not even talking weight, they were short. I looked like a giant and it made me feel awfully awkward doing it. Anyway, I should get back in.

You should look into combining Pilates and yoga. They go great together. Vinyasa yoga could be great too.