I need some Yoga help?

Question by Jedi: I need some Yoga help?
Where do I start? How do I start? I can't even touch my toes. If I stand on one foot for longer than .0003 milliseconds I fall over.

Back injuries prevent me from doing a lot of the poses. I can't even do one push up. I'm 300 pounds overweight and suffer a lot of back and joint pain.

I can't even do the child's pose properly.

But I want to do yoga, and I'm so confused about the information out there.

Do I *really* need a mat? Do I *really* need those yoga blocks, and do I *really* need a yoga strap?

I'm not flexible or fit enough take a class. Besides- I feel stupid not being able to do half the stuff the rest of the class can. Last time I even tried to attempt downward facing dog I had a back cramp for a almost a week!

But like I said, I really want to do yoga, and start. But I'm overwhelmed with all the info out there and am clueless about where to start.

I've had people tell me I need yoga pants and a yoga top before I start yoga, but HA! No store sells them in my size-I need at least a 6x, and the stores only sell yoga pants/shirts up to a Large. 1 x if I'm lucky.

And straps, mats and blocks!!! I've been told I need them, and been told I don't. My head is spinning. Do I start off with a book? Do I start off with a video?

Do I need a mat, a block and/or a strap? Will it help? Will it not help? And what are some good books and videos for someone who's wanting to do yoga but is fat, overweight and has chronic pain issues that can't even touch their knees, much less their toes?

Thanks!!

Best answer:
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Take babysteps towards doing "real" yoga. You don't need the clothes and equipment. You need to wear something that allows you to move comfortably, whether it's sweats or pajamas or whatever. The equipment can come later. Start at home with a video and do something close to what they are doing on the screen. If you can only manage the arm movement, or only manage to do the breathing while standing upright, it's ok. Just the movement and breathing will be beneficial to you right now, and as you get more exercise your body will become stronger and more flexible. You'll get there. =)

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Click on the button for more yoga videos for back pain information and reviews.

Back Pain Freed with Driving Yoga Part 2

Article by Glen Wood The Yoga Teacher

Back Pain Freed with Driving Yoga Part 2

In this posture, the tail bone is bearing weight on the seat. In addition, the arms are elevated forward to reach the steering wheel. If there is one posture guaranteed to give you back and neck pain while driving, this is it!

Exercise balls are also great tools to keep handy and one of the primary physical therapy supplies that helps reduce back pain. Something as simple as sitting on an exercise ball and bouncing lightly for a certain amount of time each day is beneficial for the lower back because it distributes the fluid in the lower spine, aiding in pain relief and flexibility.

Low back pain is often aggravated by a sendentary lifestyle. There are many types of exercises which will benefit lower backs that utilize the yoga ball. Ask your physical therapist or physician to recommend some exercises specific to your condition.

Before performing sport or exercise the advice is always to check with a doctor for assurance it is safe to do the activity. This is particularly pertinent if pain or discomfort is already evident. The causes of low back pain are, however, multifarious and are not always easily diagnosed. This does not necessarily prevent exercise or posture work that may benefit the condition being performed with suitable care and precautions.

Tight hip muscles contribute to a myriad of problems in the human body including lower back pain, compression in the lumbar spine which can contribute to arthritis in the joints of the lower spine, knee problems, and shoulder problems. Opening up the hips can help to restore neutral alignment in the pelvis, which improves alignment throughout the body releasing tension for the lower back, knees, and shoulders. This video uses yoga postures to open the hip flexor and hip rotator muscles for improved body alignment and function.

Vertical vibration on the driver's seat, along with any road shock (from railroad crossings, chuck holes, etc.), intensify this rocking motion of the pelvis. The result is even greater bending stresses to the lower back. The harmful effect of road shock and vibration to the spine is also increased from the tail bone bearing weight on the seat in a slumped driving posture.

Body Awareness: Doing yoga will give you an increased awareness of your own body. You are often called upon to make small, subtle movements to improve your alignment. Over time, this will increase your level of comfort in your own body. This can lead to improved posture and greater self-confidence.

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