Yoga and WLS

I just located this message board. So greaat to see other individuals who have had or will have WLS exploring yoga as a method of improving life. I had WLS in 1999 and lost 270 pounds, which I've kept off with a daily regimine of Iyengar style yoga. Yoga has changed my life just as WLS has -- in fact, the two go hand in hand. Namaste, BrianClt

Brian- I practice Bikram Yoga. It's the best thing in the world I've ever done for myself. Glad to see there are others who do yoga here. I didn't know this board existed. Anybody else do/try Birkam? I think yoga is great for post-ops who need to get back in touch with their bodies and are having dysmorphic type issues. Lisa C from CT

Lisa, I really enjoy Bikram yoga, though I generally only practice a handful of times a year, in a class setting that is. The Carolina summers offer a few 'Bikram-like mornings' that can be a great purge, especially bright and early monday morning. The studio i take classes in is great because it has this sort of cushiony, cork-like floor that wicks the persperation away and makes things a little more stable. On my regular mat, the puddlles of perspiration tend to become more and more of a water hazard. Also, for anyone like me, who's bypass makes dehydration an issue, make sure you're hydrated before and after a Bikram class (or Hot Yoga, as Mr. Bikram gets more and more persnickety.) A nice mineral soak after is my favorite way to get that 'just detoxified' feeling. For the average novice (especially if you hate to be hot or sweat, like me), I'd suggest sampling a few different classes, including Bikram -- if it doesn't appeal to you the first time, you may be surprised how appealing it becomes a year or two into your own practice. Namaste, BrianClt

I wish New England had more of those Birkam like days. (oops better be careful about using Birkam to describe a day, or we might get sued!) You're right Mr. Bikram is getting quite persnickety about the use of his name, etc! Yeah I really try to suck down those liquids before and after. I've never had much trouble with dehydration though. The thing is, if you had told me I would like this form of yoga- I would have told you you're crazy. I really don't LIKE being sweaty. I used to pride myself on "I DON'T sweat." But, it's very cleansing and detoxifying. Tell you what- my skin has never looked better either. I think the long and short of it is that there are SO many forms of yoga out there, that everyone can find one that they like and works for them. If only they'd try. The benefits are enormous! I walk taller, have better posture, better balance, clarity, peace of mind, less stress (or at least a way to release the stress I have), and more muscle tone and strength. You can't complain about any of that! Lisa C

The Firm is my torture of choice, and I really enjoy the stretching at the end of the workout. Can you recommend a yoga DVD for beginners? Thanks, Gina

I bet everybody has a great answer for this one! My library is made up primarily of the YogaJournal / LivingArts series that features, among others, Rodney Yee and Patricia Walden. The new DVD format includes interviews and generally a modification appendix that make these challenging, Iyengar style yoga workouts more attainable. I started with the AM / PM set at 470 pounds. It took a year to be able to do the asanas included in that program the way they were presented, but I really responded to the series. My 'Yoga for..." series now has Energy, Mediation, Athletes, Upper-body, Strenth, Flexibility, Relaxation and the new Intermediate series. I HIGHLY recommed this series. (I also really like Dia e Brunie (sp?) on FitTV's breathing space yoga. She's a relaxed ashtanga instructor, with a vocal delivery just this side of Wai Lana, but I love her half-hour classes...and she tells you what to be doing doing the commercial break Inhale on Oxygen is also appealing primarily because of Steve Ross, but his high energy style is not that geared toward the average novice. Namaste, BrianClt

Try Yoga for Inflexible People or the Yoga Zone with Alan Finger series. Get comfortable in your clothes too. No tight binding stuff which can distract you. Get the kids, hubby and pets to respect your hour of privacy. And go to it. I started with the Yoga Zone and have been taking classes a couple of times a week. I have been doing this for 6 months and find that I do it more and more as I enjoy it so much.

Thank you, Brian and Ro, for your suggestions. I'm going to check out Sam's Club & Target to see what's available from your lists. G

Yea!! What a fun forum. oops better be careful about using Birkam to describe a day, or we might get sued!) That made me laugh...thank you. I practice Hatha yoga. Although the poses are the same or very similar, I don't care for Bikrams yoga, it's too choppy. I want to flow from one to the next, his does not offer that for me. I started using The Flow Series on tape right after WLS. I enjoyed it but never got serious about it until I started taking classes. From there it just took off. I go twice per week for an hour and a half and practice at home two to three times per week. (without a video) After the kids are in bed, I pop in a CD, get out the mat and enter my own little world. It's great.