Chicks On Lit discussion

OK...letting Autumn Goals be Autumn Goals...

Does anyone else have an answer for Laura's question about modifying poses? My suggestion would be to use blocks and straps to make things easier (finding stuff around the house works great).

I have fibromyalgia and most work outs created more problems and pain. Yoga has been a great practice for me and has made a big difference in my life. Sometimes I have a motivation problem but try to stay with it regularly.

I would love to take yoga classes but haven't been able to find any in my area. I've had to do it on my own and have found quite a few resources.

Patricia Walden has 2 beginner yoga cd's that are a great way to start. Of the two, I like the Yoga for beginners best.

Yoga Journal magazine and website are great resources.

If you get the FitTV station, they frequently have yoga/pilates shows geared to all different levels.

For someone that wants a little more...Oxygen station has a show called Inhale with Steve Ross at 6am (TIVO is a wonderful thing!). It's a little more high energy and waaaay over my head but it's a great way to break a sweat and not be bored. That man can do amazing things with his body!

I found this website about yoga and arthritis:
http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/pati...

There are many more on a google search but John Hopkins is a trusted organization.

Glad to see so many in this group interested ~ you've motivated me to get a move on!

Hi Emily & Lynlee - Thanks for the information & encouragement! Is the Inhale w/Steve Ross show a Yoga show also or an exercise show? I ask because I didn't know yoga was the type of thing to make you break a sweat ? But I am pretty unfamiliar with this, so not really sure...

Inhale is only yoga. Its great because he uses upbeat music and keeps you moving the whole time. It is difficult though and probably not for complete beginners.

Does anyone know if the Yoga for Beginners CD by Patricia Walden is easier than the AM/PM Yoga for Beginners we were talking about in the Autumn Goals thread? I need something REALLY easy. :(

Lynnlee, I am so sorry to hear you have fibromyalgia but am so glad to hear that yoga has done a lot to help you!

My turn to be off topic for a moment!

I've got Psoriatic Arthritis which is an RA/auto-immune disease arthritis and is multi-skeletal for me (widespread/throughtout my entire body- it tends to move around and affect different areas, my weak points so to speak) and I've got Ankylosing Spondilitis (arthritis in my spine) so in addition to a tremendous amount of pain, stiffness, inflamation and chronic fatigue, I'm also chronically ill with bacterial and virul infections and other problems that there isn't enought time in the day to list here! I started at home iv treatments this January of Remicade which is helping for the time being! (It's made my health bearable as compared to unbearable!)

Lynnlee, thank you for sharing the info above and I'm sending good health & life vibes your way!!!

Duh! I've got a great little yoga book, "A Morning Cup of Yoga" by Jane Goad Trechsel. ("One 15-Minute Routine for a Lifetime of Health & Wellness")

I picked this up at a library sale 2 years ago and it's wonderful! (It doesn't have the cd that comes with it though).

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64...

About yoga breaking a sweat...there are some kinds that are designed to work you ("power" yoga or "ashtanga" or "bikram" being the key words). I am not a big fan of those, because I want the relaxation more, but I'm going to try them sometime.

I thought of something for modifications. "Yin Yoga" is a style that emphasizes using pillows, blankets, blocks, straps, etc. to be able to hold a relaxing, stretching pose (I think most are supine) for a longer period of time. I saw an article in a recent Yoga Journal.

Here are a couple other videos to check out...

http://www.gaiam.com/product/yoga-stu...

http://www.gaiam.com/product/yoga-stu...

Hi Jo - Have you tried yoga for your Psor. Arthritis? My sister-in-law has that, and has been taking the Remicade for years. A friend of mine also has rheum. arthritis. I don't think either one has tried yoga. It seems like it is good for so many things.

I have eczema, so I get itchy patches, usually w/stress (which seems I can't get away from lately), and I've been told for years that yoga is good for stress, so I've been wondering if I should give it another try.

I've also used this book - which is just stretching, but they feel so good. I don't know if this may be helpful to any of you as well. She is way more flexible than me, but the good news is you go as far as you can and that's okay.

Essential Stretch

Laura, I haven't tried it yet but I'm making it a goal this Autumn to begin yoga and see if it does me any good! (I can use the help phyically and otherwise!)

Aside from the physical aspects, I think the mental results of yoga are totally worth it. It's like a huge breath of fresh air after you're done. Like everything has been lifted off of your shoulders for the moment. I love the yogajournal.com poses because you can pinpoint certain health issues or body problems and it will recommend specific poses to remedy those problems.

Neat, I didn't know you could do that. Thanks for pointing that out, Hannah.

Also, is you are concerned about doing a certain pose because of a condition, check out the "contraindications" (under yogajournal.com - poses - contraindications) because it tells you the poses you shouldn't try.

You're welcome! That site is so helpful & I love that it's free!

I have the morning cup of stretching book/cd, I'll have to look for the yoga one!

Inhale is yoga only and I'm not sure what an experienced yogi would call it but to me it's power yoga-I break a sweat every time.

ok-y'all have me motivated-no working late tomorrow! coming home and getting out the mat!