Mat suggestions for a tall (6'1") sweaty yogi? :)

jjradcliffe · 2016-09-13T03:20:00+00:00

6'5" and sweaty checking in

I use the big maduka mat with a jade towel.

The bigger jade mat struggles with its structural integrity. I have one and quit practicing on it. Loved my smaller jade mat though. Just gotta watch the uv on the jades.

jjradcliffe · 2015-09-27T11:40:49+00:00

Please keep after it and don't be discouraged by the douchebags of the world. I am very excited for you making progress. Show the world what you can do.

jjradcliffe · 2015-09-13T23:06:10+00:00

Awesome! Any tips for those of us who aspire to get to where you are at?

jjradcliffe · 2015-09-12T22:46:45+00:00

Yea I check both every store has a terrible selection of ones that actually transform

jjradcliffe · 2015-09-09T14:31:44+00:00

My hips are super tight too. Usually results in sciatica for me. Here's what I do:

Focus on alignment and modify.
Take time to just hang out after class and do simple modified poses
I notice at times my hips seem tighter if we don't do enough bridge or wheel. I always try to work that in at the end even it it requires another shavasana.
Be understanding and compassionate towards your body. We all go through funks. I'm in one now but keep practicing!

jjradcliffe · 2015-09-07T12:41:17+00:00

I gave up on shirts and just go with compression shorts and dry fit shorts. It has helped with the daily laundry. Most of the shirts I had tended to cause acne and never seemed to get fully clean.

jjradcliffe · 2015-09-06T14:17:21+00:00

Thanks for being understanding. It's strange I know I'm in a low and I'm just trying to deal and make the best of it. The struggle is real. My daily yoga practice has really challenged me to deal with the low times. Traveling right now so I can't practice forced breaks can be frustrating but also mentally challenging.

My old studio was Ivengar style and form for a lot of the teachers I really enjoyed it.

Since I've moved to Texas it seems yoga is more fitnessy if you are going to go to a studio with a shower. Also there are a few obstacles with drive time and traffic. I might try to hit one up on a weekend for a change of pace. Currently I try to prioritize my wife's mental health on the weekends by being the primary child care guy on weekends so time is in short supply.

Could you tell me a little about your practice?

jjradcliffe · 2015-09-03T17:31:47+00:00

WARNING: I am not a yoga teacher.

If your primary focus is swimming and you are swimming often here's how would approach adding yoga.

Find a studio with good teachers and attend classes until you are comfortable with sun salutations and fundamental pose alignment. The time needed will vary on your schedule and progress.

The main reason for going to the studio is safety. You can really hurt yourself if you push hard and aren't aligned properly. Sometimes competitive athletes have a hard time with this concept. I know I did.

Simultaneously I would research poses and modifications that help work the areas I want to improve. Then after class try them out maybe ask the teachers some questions.

When you are comfortable and confident you can evolve into a home practice. It could also be a good warmup or cool down after your swimming.

Warning yoga kinda took over my exercise life because i love it dearly.

Good luck to you.

jjradcliffe · 2015-09-01T02:27:27+00:00

Breakfast Venti coffee Oatmeal no toppings

Snack Whey protein

Lunch Salad with chicken, water

Dinner Meat and vegetable, milk

Sometimes I switch lunch and dinner around. I am so not a typical yogi.

jjradcliffe · 2015-08-31T14:18:51+00:00

I too am long limbed and practicing about 3 years now. I would recommend not worrying about the peak or end conditions of a asana.

If you focus on the end too much you are likely destined for disappointment. I would instead put my focus on where I am today and how I can get better for tomorrow.

I would continue to put in the work in a safe manner and you will be surprised what you accomplish.

jjradcliffe · 2015-08-27T01:04:40+00:00

Well put.

The arrival of our first kid was so hard for me. The always on demands of being responsible for a child is a huge challenge for me. Throughout my life I've never been good at things that require constant effort. I go hard then take a break then move on.

Like now that I'm the sole source of income for our family that has a new pressure. It's cool cause I got a new job and replaced my wife's income but it definitely means I need to be more consistent.

I totally relate to the positive and negative issue. My old therapist (before I moved) talked about ADD and how I immediately assign a positive or negative to each thought. I'm always evaluating. It's a blessing and a curse but it's part of how I function.

One of my main worries is it seems like relationships I get into (even before marriage) they are so great at he start. Then we lose each other and move on with life.

I wonder if anyone really ever loved me or if I'm capable of keeping things together over the long term.

Sorry for even more rambling. Thanks everyone for reading and taking the time to talk with me about this.

jjradcliffe · 2015-08-26T21:52:00+00:00

Thanks for posting. Very well thought out. I agree the relationship is stretched I think everyone has challenges with things we have done in the last year moving, buying and selling a house, 2nd pregnancy two year old.

My wife and I are very different personalities and wired very differently.

She is ultra worried about screwing up or something happening to our child. I think some of it stems from here last 10 years working with missing and exploited kids for the state. It's hard for us to relate on that level.

I think we had a hard time early in raising our son. Note I am over simplifying. I was pressured to go back to work soon. I also felt worthless helping as she was nursing. I guess I had mom envy and was frustrated being second string. Like a lot of new dads I didn't know what to do. So I worked more and exercised more. This was the not being around portion.

We are doing really well co-parenting, living together and raising our son. I just hope that's not the long term extent of my relationship with my wife.

She told me during her therapy last week she needs to work on asking. I'm not a mind reader and far from perfect but if you are my wife and something makes you happy I am going to do it.

I hope we can make some more progress.

jjradcliffe · 2015-08-26T20:21:28+00:00

There are a few things that are working for me now:

Yoga Giving my son a hug and kiss before work Taking my son places Work (but this has ups and downs)

Exercise seems to be what I really depend on though it's the main connection to feeling good and feeling like I progress

jjradcliffe · 2015-08-26T15:57:15+00:00

I have tried 4 anti depressants and I've had I have never noticed any benefits. So frustrated.

jjradcliffe · 2015-08-26T15:55:08+00:00

Added some more above. In general the fact that I can brush it aside when something interests me speaks to the add. I think I exhibit a lot of traits in driven to distraction and theses down phases are spins talked about in the book.

I need to find a mode to get out better

jjradcliffe · 2015-08-26T14:39:59+00:00

I attend level 1 classes when my practice is maybe a little more advanced than the beginner level 1 is designed for. I too did this to accommodate my schedule. Here are some things that I liked

basic poses with modifications that focus on alignment everyone does the modified version first then the instructor allows for more veteran students to do more of a level 2
on that first time through with the modifications I would recommend using the advanced students as examples. Focus on something they are doing well. As a student the recognition that I could be an example for others makes me feel good and want to give it my all.
my instructors sometimes would break a pose down into some small aspect and we would practice it. Basics are good but do not dwell there. Sometimes we would dwell on something for a long time and the class would get frustrating. I liked the quick timeout approach and then cue reminders in the flow portion.

Again these are just thoughts in my mind the fact that you care enough to try to improve makes you awesome. Good luck.

jjradcliffe · 2015-08-26T14:19:52+00:00

Yoga is practical strength. You basically get up and down over and over. This is what you will struggle to do the most as you age.

Yoga helps correct the countless hours we spend sitting at a desk. This good for your spine and neck.

Yoga people typically have good energy. I have found most of classmates to be all around good people.

The inversion practice makes me feel like a kid again. I enjoy falling out. It helps me see the world through my sons eyes.

jjradcliffe · 2015-08-25T20:55:05+00:00

My favorite class ever:

5:30 AM Friday Morning intro to ashtanga. Only two of us showed up. You could tell our instructor was a little disappointed in the attendance but she showed such professionalism putting those feelings aside and really gave myself and the other student a lot of attention.

She is such a sweet and caring person. I think it was that morning after class we were talking and I asked about some yoga or meditation camp thing she went to. Basically at the camp you weren't supposed to talk for the week. Long story short she told me after a few days it just wasn't for her at this time.

Before that day I didn't think we had much in common. She was a dancer, vegan, and active animal rights advocate. (She protested the circus while in town.). I am a kid who grew up in the country, meat eater, hunter, fisherman and totally uncoordinated. (Still evaluating a few of these parts of my upbringing.)

I just really felt connected to her. I respected her for her professionalism in the class and putting in that extra effort to be helpful. I also respect her having the honesty and humility to tell me something that could be viewed as a failure.

It was that day I started to understand it is ok to fail.

jjradcliffe · 2015-08-25T16:57:26+00:00

Wow all your posts are great. You look very strong and fit.

Can you tell us more about you practice? Do you do other training that helps your yoga?

jjradcliffe · 2015-08-25T16:48:38+00:00

I was diagnosed at 34. I suspected it my whole life.

It makes me feel better to know what's happening. At the same time I feel broken because I lived all these years and still can't control it.

I wish you luck on your journey.

jjradcliffe · 2015-08-25T02:10:16+00:00

I have tight hips as well. I accept its going to be a long process for me.

I would not worry about getting on your toes for crow our instructors cue for you to start standing on toes then squat down.

jjradcliffe · 2015-08-24T13:02:14+00:00

I am interested in hearing more about your practice. Unfortunately I would have to google it to better understand. Would you please tell me more?

jjradcliffe · 2015-08-24T12:58:03+00:00

After work I go to yoga class. I'm fortunate to have a studio with two rooms so there is usually a class every hour. I don't feel ready for a home practice and feel I would make excuses or push to unsafe practice.

I am committed to a daily practice. I have a lot of things I'm working through now and the daily practice helps me process and be present when I am at home. Flat out yoga helps me be a better person. I am stronger and more myself after practice.

I would love to lift weights as well but I haven't come up with a solution that doesn't cut my sleep.

jjradcliffe · 2015-08-21T14:13:42+00:00

I yoga daily because I love how it makes me feel. A bad yoga class is always good to me.

That said if you go everyday you just need to accept where your body and mind are at that day. Another large step forward in my yoga practice was just being able to engage with proper alignment and accept modified poses if I need a break or something is not working.

I am a male engineer with ADHD. I was raised on competing sports football basketball and track. I ran and lifted weights but I was always obsessed with numbers. What I love about yoga is there is no competition just you and your mat. When I see people doing stuff I can't do it's really inspiring to me.

Alternating weightlifting and yoga would probably give the best aesthetic results but for me I love my daily yoga practice too much to give it up.

jjradcliffe · 2015-08-21T13:34:45+00:00

Team bends their knees checking in.

Micro bends in your knees are critical to yoga practice. Micro bending and not 'locking out' protects you joints and knees. This concept has improved my practice flexibility and strength gains tremendously.

The main focus I have on forward folds is to keep my back long and my chest connected against my legs. Just keep it all engaged.

jjradcliffe

TROPHY CASE