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Yoga
Apr 5, 2009 7:57:15 GMT
Post by palesa on Apr 5, 2009 7:57:15 GMT
A few people have advised that I try doing yoga to assist with relaxation and meditation.
I have now discovered that there are many different types of yoga, does anyone have any suggestions as to which would be best for me in my current place. I am doing this to learn to relax, meditate and to clear my mind for a short while each day.
I have come across someone close by that does Yoga Nidra, and to me that seems quite suitable, but would like to hear other people's opinion.
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Yoga
Apr 5, 2009 8:13:27 GMT
Post by spindrift on Apr 5, 2009 8:13:27 GMT
I have learned Ienygar Yoga www.bksiyengar.com/Another relaxing idea would be for you to learn Tai Chi. I practised Tai Chi for years and it inevitably put me into a state of Moving Meditation (when I was doing it).
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Yoga
Apr 5, 2009 11:43:33 GMT
Post by tillystar on Apr 5, 2009 11:43:33 GMT
Oh I read the OP and it reminded me I wanted to ask if anyone knew anything about Tai Chi, I wonder if you can help Spindrift?
I mentioned my MIL is unwell, after treating her for Lupus for years she has been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis while we were there. She has always loved exercise but has been unable to these last few years because to the pain. I have been looking on the net at differnet ways for her to try and minmise her symptoms and tai chi seems to be recommended for her condition and I think she would love it due to being able to get some exercise as well.
Do you have any idea whether this might be good for this condition and/or have any suggestions, like Palesa asked, of a style as I think with tai chi some are gentler than others?
Palesa, sorry changing direction of you OP with my questions, but just to echo what S said about Tai Chi may be good - I see people practising it in the rose garden in the park near me in the mornings, they always look so at peace and relaxed it amazes me. I don't know anything about yoga though.
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Yoga
Apr 5, 2009 15:14:49 GMT
Post by Jazz on Apr 5, 2009 15:14:49 GMT
I'm sorry this isn't a direct reply, but I wanted to suggest swimming for both Palesa and Tilly's Mother-in-law. Either swiming itself, or water aquatics. It is calming and always seems to lower anxiety and stress. My mood shifts very easily in the water. Nothing centres and calms me as effectively and quickly. It always seems to clear my mind and give me energy. Tilly, I have severe osteoarthritis in my lower neck and back. Low impact aquatic exercises were recommended (especially in warm water, not cold) and they are very helpful. Water is low impact, it is a fabulous workout for all of your body and it is very pleasureable.
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Yoga
Apr 5, 2009 21:37:28 GMT
Post by spindrift on Apr 5, 2009 21:37:28 GMT
Tilly - I have learned Tai Chi for years....in particular I have learned The Long Form.... video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6518383681807169940I don't think this would be suitable for a person suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis...but hey, who knows, it might be. I can, however, recommend that your MIL starts to learn Qi Gong en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qigong. A beginner's class will start with simple, yet relaxing, exercises that, similar to Tai Chi, concentrate the mind and bring much relief from stress. I notice that older people do Qi Gong and younger ones, Tai Chi. Since I only know about Tai Chi Long Form - I do not know about other ways as to how tai chi can be taught. I hope this helps.
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Yoga
Apr 6, 2009 12:03:07 GMT
Post by tillystar on Apr 6, 2009 12:03:07 GMT
Thanks Spindrift, I will get her to look into that as well. One day when I have 5 mins (that I am not spending on here!) to myself I would love to try Tai Chi. Its too hard to plan to go to classes for anything right now. Jazz - I love swimming for all the reasons you say. I go at least once a week and find it so relaxing. I love the peace under the water. It took a while before I could let my mind drift and not concentrate on the strokes and breathing but now I find my mind wonders off. Mr Star goes 4-5 times a week and really can't live wothout it as it does his bad back wonders and he gets grotty without it. Madman gets up at 5.30 to go before work I am not so dedicated.... I am so glad I learnt, but sadly MIL isn't a water person at all and can't be persuaded.
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Yoga
Apr 6, 2009 12:58:50 GMT
Post by spindrift on Apr 6, 2009 12:58:50 GMT
Tilly - I can safely say that you would love Tai Chi...
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Yoga
Apr 6, 2009 14:50:29 GMT
Post by rikita on Apr 6, 2009 14:50:29 GMT
just asking bf who has done yoga for a long time... so trying to repeat what he is saying.... he says he always recommends iyengar as it is the most traditional, but also that it would depend on what type you are. thing with iyengar is that you don't start with everything right away - you only start pranayama after mastering hatha yoga, and only start meditation after mastering pranayama - while other types approach this order less strictly. he says though that he thinks it can be dangerous if things are approached too quickly... and he says if you want meditation only you can do raja yoga or transcendental meditation or zazen.
okay, i hope i wrote this all correctly...
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Yoga
Apr 6, 2009 16:42:01 GMT
Post by missalaska on Apr 6, 2009 16:42:01 GMT
I learned Iyengar in the UK - my current teacher does 'integral' which is more flowing and she does more breathing, meditation, chanting, 'teachings'. To be honest I preferred the Iyengar
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Yoga
Apr 6, 2009 17:21:58 GMT
Post by spindrift on Apr 6, 2009 17:21:58 GMT
For 'teachings' I prefer to listen to Buddhist monks or nuns rather than casual bods who set up a yoga class....that's only my point of view of course.
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Yoga
Apr 6, 2009 17:43:47 GMT
Post by gringalais on Apr 6, 2009 17:43:47 GMT
I have been doing yoga for years now. I mainly do astanga, which is a very active style. I end up feeling relaxed because it is a workout and there is meditation/breathing at the end, but it doesn't sound like quite what you are looking for. Where I used to do yoga in the US, my main teacher taught astanga, but several times we had substitutes that taught different types. I did some iyengar, and agree with the others that say that might be a good starting point. I also had a kundalini yoga substitute teacher for a bit. It was too slow for my taste, being used to astanga, but it seemed like it would be good for relaxation.
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Yoga
Apr 7, 2009 10:45:54 GMT
Post by missalaska on Apr 7, 2009 10:45:54 GMT
spindrift - her teachings are recordings of nuns, monks etc or she reads a passage- not her own stuff. Hence the quotes. She will tell us who we are listening to and of what standing they are etc. Shame she still uses cassettes which can make listening quite tough. One recording I can think off hand was Mother Meera.
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