Afternoon All,

I'm thinking of adding Yoga to my exercise programe but not really sure how much benifit i'll get out of it. Just thought i'd see what your experience of Yoga was on here.

looking forward to your responses

I really like yoga...it clears your mind and stretches your body.

If you can't get to a class, I recommend the DVD Yoga Conditioning for Weightloss. It has four levels to work you up to doing more advanced yoga.

I enjoy the wii fit yoga. It shows you exactly how to do the poses and tells you what part of your body will benefit from each move. You can do it each one several times if you want. The other games(exercises) are fantastic for cardio/balance and strength. If you can find someone who will let you try it out first, it is a little bit of an investment. Good Luck!!

Classes are best bcasue you can get one on one instruction sometimes but if you can't afford it or it's not available like here there are dvd options.

You'll get alot of benifit out of it. I was over 258 pnds when i started and did megan garcia's plus size yoga which is only a half hour yoga routine for larger people and i noticed my limbs weren't as stiff and i had more energy within the first two days. Now when i do any of my yoga dvd's after one of my strength or cardio routines i find i am not as sore as i am without it.

I now also use Yoga Zone with alan finger. It has introduction to yoga, meditation, a conditioning and stress release, and a flexibilty and tone, all 4 are beginner dvds.
Even at my size it still does the job and Alan stresses that you shouldn't push too hard on the poses. Do what you can and time and practice will let you go further, there is also someone doing a modified version of the poses. I can't do all of them with my big buddha belly and flabby log like legs in the way but i can do enough ( and i attempt to try them all despite the fat keeping me from doing the full pose) that i get alot out of it. I usually use it after a cardio or strength training routine to get more of a stretch.
It is also very instructive he explains how to breathe properly, what to do clearly and how on a few what you should be feeling in the stretch. i haven't used the flexibility and the conditioning ones yet. i just recieved them yesterday but if it is anything like the intro and meditation i will enjoy doing them.

Hope you enjoy it whichever option you choose.

I've done yoga on a few occasions and it helps alot with my flexability which helps with lifting.

I'll be honest after an hour class i'm sweating and sore... it takes time to master the moves but well worth it

I do yoga regularly and it is WONDERFUL. Makes me more flexible, strengthens, and I am ALWAYS sweating so bad that it drips all over my mat. Gross. But it depends on what kind of yoga you do -- I am in an ashtanga yoga class, or "power yoga," and so it works really hard. But I definitely recommend that you add it to your weekly schedule!

I've done yoga as well, and I always enjoy the flexibility and stretching it offers me. Some of the poses really help stretch my shoulders, back and neck which is great because I tend to knot up really badly.

The other thing to look into are yoga/pilates classes. They are supposed to offer the stretching of yoga and the muscle strengthing of pilates. I'm starting a "yolates" class on Monday, and hopefully it will be as good as I've heard it is.

i think yoga zone is hatha yoga not sure actually, i know it's slow and steady. it's perfect for those really hot days when i get too overheated doing something cardio.

I am yoga'ing once a week. It is great. Not only it helps to improve my flexibility, but also it helps to stretch my muscle.

Lately, I am trying out a new runner training. This program does pre/post yoga after the run. I love it.

Haven't done it in ages!! Thanks for the reminder!

I got so much from yoga and most of it was more within my personal self than as a part of my physical training.

A cleanse for the body and soul you could say!

thanks for the input everybody, i think i'm gonna go down the DVD route at first and try and fit it in after my lifting sessions or on rest days.