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1. robob - Member

   Hi all,

   After never stretching I got fed up and decided I wanted to be able to touch my toes again, not sure why, but anyway after two weeks of basic stretching and I am now able to do it! But this has got me thinking generally about flexibility and core strength in general and then to yoga and pilates, both of which sound like good ways to achieve this.

   However beyond that I'm pretty clueless. Yoga seems better for the head, pilates seems better for the body, Google searches leave me more confused and I haven't got time for classes.

   Are there any decent resources, websites, pointers anyone can give me, or am I better off doing a couple of decent stretches every night and leaving it at that?

   Thanks!

   Posted 11 months ago #
2. The Southern Yeti - Member

   Buy the 'Giggs Fitness' DVD.

   Posted 11 months ago #
3. robob - Member

   Just googled it, you serious? Is it any good?

   Posted 11 months ago #
4. The Southern Yeti - Member

   Yes I'm serious. I used it initally as an introduction to yoga so that I didn't turn up at a class full of sexy young things in lycra and make a right prat of myself.

   Now I realise that the routines that they go through are exactly what you'll go through in most gym style Yoga / Pilates / Balance class.

   I got a copy for £7. If you really don't know what you're doing then that is a bargain.

   Posted 11 months ago #
5. brooess - Member

   I would get a few lessons to make sure you're learning the basics right and don't injure yourself.
   Maybe a couple of sessions with a personal trainer who can work when you're free? Got to work out cheaper than paying a physio if you pull something. Prob need to talk through with them what your objectives are and get a recommendation what's best for you...
   I do core strength and yoga all the time and it makes a surprising difference to the power you can put down and general feeling of being fit. Helps tech climbing too - your legs get on with the power whilst your core keeps your weight over the front.
   Need to be warmed up before you do any stretching/core/yoga too...

   Posted 11 months ago #
6. blades2000 - Member

   I've used the P90x yoga and stretch sessions, good but hard. If you can put up with the accents.

   Posted 11 months ago #
7. sweepy - Member

   theres shedloads of video classes on youtube, I like yogayak ones but watch/try a few and see what you like

   Posted 11 months ago #
8. damo2576 - Member

   All you need is the GAAIM DVD's.
   In particular Rodney Yee's.

   Posted 11 months ago #
9. simons_nicolai-uk - Member

   I'd really recommend some Yoga classes to get to know the postures properly and how far you should be pushing things.

   Every yoga teacher teaches differently so try a few and find someone whose style doesn't grate. You want someone who is pretty hands on and corrects you rather than just staying at the front of the class.

   As a beginner I reckon you want a slow style like Iyengar where the focus is on precision until you get the postures right. Once you know the poses well some sort of Dynamic/Ashtanga is a lot more rewarding but completely bewildering if you don't know what you're doing.

   Pilates bored me senseless the one time I went. I'd try it again but have been told it's something where a lot of what you're doing isn't visible so one-to-one tuition is the way to start.

   Posted 11 months ago #
10. allmountainventure - Member

    Leah Bracknell DVD Yoga for life is good.

    +1 for seeing a professional, in the beginning at least. Its good to have someone correct your posture and explain the basic concepts.

    Mrs AMV is a yoga instructor and into Ashtanga, which is pretty full on!

    Posted 11 months ago #
11. nicky - Member

    There is a lady whos dvd's I used that are very good and broken down into sections so you can do what you want depending on how much time you have. There is also nothing on there which isn't achievable unlike some dvd's. The stretches do work well and you do improve. Little and often is what she recomends rather than maybe 1 or two hours per week , its often broken down to target certain areas.
    Barbara Curry is her name.

    Posted 11 months ago #
12. headfirst - Member

    Nicky: just forked out £2.99 on your recommendation, it better be good!

    Posted 11 months ago #
13. nicky - Member

    Yeah-I think you will find her pretty good. Its yoga but not the stuff your going to get tangled up in. Its works. And its not too showy think thats the word and not too many young beauties to distract you!! Good luck. £2.99 a bargain, what else can you get for that not even a pint! Happy stetching and you should do it with out distractions you know children around, its supposed to relax you and send you off into a magical world where all is peaceful and beautiful with no stress and then it ends and your back to normality!
    Enjoy.

    Posted 11 months ago #

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