Yoga Folks discussion
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Mod
Have you looked for a gentle or senior or even chair yoga class? All of those could be good for someone with troublesome knees. OF course, doing yoga at home is also great--that's what I mostly do.
Happy to have you join us for any discussions about yoga or yoga books. You can chime in on a thread that's already started, or, if you have something you want to discuss, simply start a new thread in the appropriate folder. We're pretty loose here. It's great if you can read the monthly book with us, but fine if not. And even if you don't read the book, you can often jump into the book discussion, because it's as much about our lives as it is about the author's!
Looking forward to chatting further!
Meryl Davids Landau
Looking forward to reading more about yoga and all involved. I am loving "Coming to Our Senses" which isn't strictly about yoga but meditation. I also bought your book because it sounded interesting and fun to read and I'm always looking for that sort of reading.
I'm hoping to learn a lot and I am going to be doing some gentle yoga at home poses, a little at a time.
Hello all! My name is Jordan. I started practicing yoga a little over a year ago in a last ditch effort to relieve my day to day large amounts of stress. And I haven't looked back since. I am always interested in expanding my knowledge and experience. I look forward to making some new friends!
Mod
Welcome to the group, Jordan! So glad yoga helped relieve your stress. I was at a lecture with a swami tonight and someone asked what they should do about their worries, and he said, "you didn't make the world, so don't worry about its problems." I loved that! Not that it's always so easy to drop worries and stress, of course, but anything that shifts our minds to more calmness is great, and yoga does that in spades.
We look forward to having you participate in any discussions that inspire you.
Meryl Davids Landau
Here's the story of my connection to yoga. Twenty years ago I injured my back on a water slide. I was walking with a cane for months and continued to be in serious pain. My significant other suggested yoga, but said that I needed a low impact version. He gave me a book on yoga for pregnant women Inner Beauty, Inner Lightby Frederick LeBoyer. I slowly built a routine based on this book by mastering one asana at a time. After a while, I discovered that if I did yoga faithfully, my back wouldn't hurt (unless I re-injured it which did happen). I also stopped needing a cane to walk. Yoga saved my mobility.
Mod
What an inspiring story, Shomeret! Thanks so much for sharing it.
Meryl Davids Landau
Susan wrote: "I am not sure if this is the proper place for introductions, but as it says hellos I am assuming it is and if not, I am sorry and perhaps someone could direct me.I am very excited to join this gr..."
Welcome Susan!
I am so sorry to hear about the breast cancer, and I hope the treatment plan is bringing as quick a recovery as it can! I am sure your puppy and cats help a great deal, with all of the love they exude :o)
I completely feel you with the yoga classes, as I am in a similar boat. What asanas have you found most helpful?
I am also veg leaning towards veganism in this new year. How is it going for you? Do you have any specific goals, or are you just trying it out?
I will have to look for "Coming to Our Senses," as you have found it so useful!
Best -
Danie
Hi all, Just as I decide to commit to my practice in a more serious way. (intentions of becoming an instructor) I end up with a back injury and the order from my Physical Therapist to do no forward bends, twists, or stretches. :-) Sigh. For now I am practicing meditation. Happy to have found this group. --Kim
Mod
Welcome, Kim! We're happy you found us too. Sorry to hear about the back injury. Hope you're feeling better. Of course, meditation is a great thing to be able to practice!
I am reminding myself that yoga is more than asana :-) Thanks for the welcome.
Hi, Kim. It's inspiring to hear that physical limitations aren't limiting your yoga practice. Have you explored breathing exercises (pranayama)? Borrowing from an old adage... Yoga is one part inspiration and the rest is respiration. As a bonus, kapalabhati is a great ab workout! Glad to have you among us.
Hi,i am very happy to enjoin this group,i have been practicing yoga for many years .
Hi all! I'm happy to have found this group. I've been doing yoga for about ten years, and last year competed my 200 hour teaching certification. And I feel like the more I do or study or teach yoga, the more I have to learn! So, I look forward to reading and sharing with you all. Shanti.
Ann
Hello, everyone. I came to yoga about twelve years ago, through Buddhist meditation. Sitting practice was always very difficult for me, and one day I picked up a book called "Moving Into Stillness." Decided to try yoga to help still my monkey mind. What a revelation.I've had the great good fortune to have found a wonderful Iyengar-based teacher, and have been taking classes and practicing ever since. My teacher's classes are small, and I've developed a deep connection with the terrific women in those classes. One of my favorite things is our annual 108 sun salutations practice, which we do on or near the winter solstice.
I am also a fiction writer, and in the words of the Indian novelist R.K. Narayan, "Writing is a yoga." I've written two novels of speculative fiction/historical fantasy based on the lives of several women who lived at the time of Siddhartha, who became the Buddha. The second one is mainly about the young woman who becomes his wife. I'm hoping to find a publisher, but with all the changes taking place in the industry, I may end up self-publishing.
Looks like a great group with some interesting threads going. Glad to have found it.
Greetings! I'm Joe and I just joined, I'm really excited to start yoga! I have done some yoga but never have taken a class. I have a book but we recently moved and it got lost in boxes and I was hoping someone could recommend a boom to me.
Mod
Welcome to all of you! So glad you found us. Please jump into any thread to discuss yoga book or your yoga practice.
Our next group read is the novel Head over Heels by Rain Mitchell, which we won't start until June. For the group books we try to mix light, fun books and more serious fare.
Joe, enjoy your exploration of yoga! I recently started a thread in the books folder asking for suggestions of good asana books, so you might want to see what's been posted there, too--although you certainly can't go wrong with Dru's suggestion of the Heart of Yoga.
Good luck with your book, Shelley. In the meantime, I'm in awe of your doing 108 sun salutations! Wow!
Meryl Davids Landau
Mod
I think as long as you do gentle yoga poses you can do it without a teacher. Rodney Yee has some really good DVDs you might want to check out.
Let us know how it goes.
Arnie wrote: "I joined this group a little while back but this is my first posting. My name is Arnie.Hi Arnie. Welcome to the group. I have had RA for over 20 years and yoga has helped me immensely. It keeps the joints supple and helps keep stiffness at bay. And that's not even getting into the mental benefits!
I agree with Meryl - Rodney Yee is a great teacher and has some great DVDs.
Helen
hello everyone,I just joined this group today (a few seconds ago)My name is Sabine and I'm a total yoga newbie. I will move cities in september and start studying in university from then on. the university's gymoffers yoga and my idea is to take yoga there. before this i would like to read a bit about yoga tom prepare myselff
Hi Everyone,I joined the Goodreads yoga group to learn more about yoga. My experience is small. I had a few yoga dvds for exercise. Then I joined the Senior Center in my city a couple of months ago. The Center has 3 different yoga classes. Of the two I tried, I like the Hatha yoga class the best. There seems so many aspects to yoga. I've got a lot to learn. I have no idea what some of the terms mean that people have written in the posts. I look forward to meeting you and learning from you.
Mod
I joined the Goodreads yoga group to learn more about yoga. My experience is small. I had a few yoga dvds for exercise. Then I joined the Senior Center in my city a couple of month..."
Welcome, Jill! Don't worry about the terminology; you likely know more than you think, even if you don't know the terms. Of course, feel free to ask for a definition if there's something you're wanting to know more about.
Meryl Davids Landau
Hello, my name is Lisa and I'm from Poertland , Or.I'm so glad there's a group that will let me combine my two favorote things, yoga and reading. I've been doing yoga on and off for years and now I'm taking it to a more.serious level, with the intention of becoming a teacher, and a lifetime practioner. Namaste and Happy reading all!
I didn't introduce myself when I first joined. I am a yoga instructor and enjoy teaching gentle classes and classes for children. I have been sidelined for the last 18 months with throat cancer, so right now I am just going to classes and trying to keep myself informed by going to whatever retreats and workshops I can manage. I read the Science of Yoga by William J Broad which was an eye-opener on some of the dangers inherent in yoga practice. A little scary but good to know...
Mod
I'm the moderator of this group but I too have had health challenges in recent months. That's why this group hasn't been too active.
If anyone wants to lead a book discussion (either a new yoga book or a classic) until I'm back in the swing of things, I would love that. Just message me with the book and when you can start and I will send a message to all our members to see who wants to play.
Namaste!
Meryl
Hi, this is Kris. I joined the group last year. I have been practicing and learning about yoga for several years, and still feel there is so much to learn from others. I have not been active in reading books on yoga since late spring, but excited about the recommendations for new books and authors. We have had many wonderful discussions through the months with Meryl and friends here. It's been a pleasure meeting/reading about new members - Welcome.
Meryl, wishing you a speedy recovery. Looking forward to the next read.
Kris
Hi. I've been a part of this group for a little while but I started another one and if anyone loves to read about animals please join the group called "Animal Lovers" :)
Susan wrote: "I am not sure if this is the proper place for introductions, but as it says hellos I am assuming it is and if not, I am sorry and perhaps someone could direct me.I am very excited to join this gro..."
I read a wonderful book by a woman who does yoga and had to deal with breast cancer. It's called "It's Not About the Hair" by Debra Jarvis. But her book is not a downer; it's about life and I have shared it with so many people who have cancer or dealt with the cancer of a loved one and they have all appreciated Debra's book and her take on living with a sense of humor. Peace & blessings on this new path in your life.
Hello everyone! My name is Maja Vuckovic. I am a professor of philosophy and a certified teacher of animal rights. I started practicing yoga 10 years ago. Also, past and present, I am an activist with extensive experience in various areas of animal protection, from the theoretical, educational practice, channeled into my writings. I have collaborated with leading non-governmental organizations, promoting veganism and the equal treatment of all living beings. I was the founder/leader of the organization Animal Friends in Serbia.
I am currently in the process of writing a book about animal rights. If you want, you can help me with the realization of this project, through donating, sharing the page, telling others etc. Go and have a look... there is something related with yoga ;)
http://www.indiegogo.com/thebreathofe...
I am currently in the process of writing a book about animal rights. If you want, you can help me with the realization of this project, through donating, sharing the page, telling others etc. Go and have a look... there is something related with yoga ;)
http://www.indiegogo.com/thebreathofe...
I have been on the outskirts of yoga for many years, but never dove in. But like so many others here, I am facing some life threatening dis-ease, and I hope to develop a strong practice to help me turn the corner.I am an activist helping abused and stray animals. I thrive on time outdoors in nature meditating and enjoying all the blessings to be found.
I hope to plant my first organic garden this year and grow much of my own food.
I look forward to sharing books and thoughts and new friends here.
Namaste,
Laurie
Welcome Laurie! I'm doing similar things this year, so if you want to talk send me a message. Namaste -
Danie
Hi Everyone,My name is Helena. I have been a fitness junkie for almost 20 years. Running was my true passion, but my knees and shins decided they had enough miles. When I cut back on the cardio, unfortunately, my mind decided to start running a little extra. Running was my escape from a lot of anxiety/fear that was constantly flooding through me. I started practicing Yoga regularly about a year ago and it has done wonders for me. After finding a few fantastic instructors, I have learned that slowing down and being nice to my mind/body is really what matters most. I now focus on living every day with my heart, and I know that love is stronger than fear.
Throughout this process I have started to read more. I love this forum and cannot wait to share reviews with all of you.
Besides working out and reading, I have a full time job as an Airline Analyst. Working in travel has been the most fulfilling experience ever - there is no better feeling to helping people take a vacation!
-Helena
I am very excited to join this group and can't wait until I start catching up. I don't have the book you are reading currently but I will get it soon. I am reading a great book probably many of you have read Coming to Our Senses.
I love to read, and I also draw and paint. I am a retired clinical psychologist but still often think in those kinds of psychological terms so forgive me if I get too "therapy" I will try not to.
I am just getting started with a very simple yoga routine having wanted to do it for years, and even joined a class at one point - unfortunately for me my knees gave me too hard a time in that class and I had to withdraw and am now trying on my own. (I have osteoarthritis of bot knees with a complete left knee replacement).
I have four daughters, and two grandchildren, boy and girl. I won't say how wonderful they all are as everyone thinks that of their own, but it is true.
I believe in laughter, books, and beauty. I hope to never stop learning and that is why I joined this club.
I have a new health challenge, recently diagnosed with breast cancer. However I have had surgery and it's been removed (lumpectomy) and am now facing a course of radiation and then hormone therapy for five years. This is all to be preventative, as they say the cancer cells are gone, they got them all in surgery.
I think I should stop now, opps, one more thing I need you to know if you are to "know" me, I have a wonderful dog who is my constant companion and my heart; also live with four cats-so as you could guess I am an animal lover and an animal rights activist; along with women's rights and am vegetarian striving to be vegan. That was more than one thing but they all go together in my mind but truly I will stop now and look forward to meeting and talking with you all
Thanks for having me.
Susan