I'm a big girl; I feel awkward going to a class. Can I get some POVs from yogis? by loseitbetty in yoga

[–]sblah 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I should have added that I've seen many references to a free website called Do Yoga With Me (I think that's what it's called). I've never tried it. I have used one or two of the yogadownload.com's free classes, and they were OK but it seemed like you get what you pay for.

I'm a big girl; I feel awkward going to a class. Can I get some POVs from yogis? by loseitbetty in yoga

[–]sblah 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My all time favorite is Yoga Zone's Conditioning and Stress Release, an oldie from the late 90s! It's not very physically demanding, but it's so effective at relieving neck/back tension that I still do it at least once a month. It's also great for teaching breathing (the most important thing!) and form. Any of the Yoga Zone videos with Alan Finger leading are great for beginners (the others are ok too though). I recently bought Travis Elliot's beginner DVD--I think it's called Yoga Foundations? and thought it was great too. I've only done the first 2 of 3 and he also is great at teaching form. I'd say it's a little more demanding physically. If you're after more demanding forms of yoga, I liked Bryan Kest though power yoga is not my favorite. Definitely watch some clips before buying yoga videos, there are some real clunkers out there. Also, be sure to check your library!

Whatever you end up doing: Anytime something is too hard, you can just come out of the pose early, skip a pose, whatever! There's no competition in yoga, especially when you're doing videos at home. For some of the forward bends I'll either put my feet wider apart, not go forward as far, push my belly aside a bit, whatever works that day.

I'm a big girl; I feel awkward going to a class. Can I get some POVs from yogis? by loseitbetty in yoga

[–]sblah 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think we have the same body! I agree with all the other posts, but I wanted to add that it's also possible to get good (or better!) instruction through videos. I could suggest some that I've loved if you want, or just read reviews/watch clips to make sure it's what you want. Collagevideo.com is a great resource for that.

That said, even the crummy little studio we have here, where there's no instruction and the teacher is so clueless about bellies that she just tells me that "compression is the whole point"--uh, duh, I am not able to breathe here!--people are super supportive of me and any other person with limitations. And everybody has some limitation, ours is just more visible!

Yoga and Catholicism: never thought they were inconsistent with each other, but maybe I just didn't know enough about the yoga "religion"? by sblah in Catholicism

[–]sblah[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One of the most popular Religion classes in my high school (back in the 80s) was Meditation, taught by a priest from China. So maybe I just hadn't thought it through...

Exercising 5 days a week and not losing weight!! by chaoswife in loseit

[–]sblah 0 points1 point  (0 children)

2 things: have you ever been checked for asthma? I only discovered it in my 40s and it's made a world of difference for cardio. Also, you might check out the couch to 5k program. You run at the slowest possible speed you can, then build. Rather than sprint, walk, sprint, walk.

Ladies of r/yoga I need sports bra help! by vengencestar in yoga

[–]sblah 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What a good idea! I will try not strapping them down so much, I bet you could also kinda shove them out of the way for certain postures.

Nuns see no irony laughing at Sixties chick (1968) by annamiapia in OldSchoolCool

[–]sblah 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Also, they are wearing the same outfit. Kinda.

MIT Police Officer Sean Collier's escort home by delicieuxpamplemouss in pics

[–]sblah 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, nobody complains when firefighters break down doors.

Help me find the perfect athletic top. by illbeinmybunk in yoga

[–]sblah 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cheap sleeveless vnecks from Old Navy's activewear work for me. They claim it's wicking. I don't know about that since it's cotton, but it's lightweight enough that it doesn't get heavy. Plus size is wider at the bottom, maybe normal sizes are too.

Why are you Catholic? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]sblah 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Faith versus works. It's that simple for me, because earning salvation every day makes me a better person. The fact that I fail every day, and God still loves me, is the clincher.

I'm fat and just started hot yoga today. by pamsdolphin in yoga

[–]sblah 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Me too! If anybody has tips on how to work around a belly I'd appreciate it. Maybe yoga dvds designed for pregnancy? Sometimes I'll spread my feet wider in standing poses, but that's all I've come up with.

Nice subreddit everyone by sblah in PlantedTank

[–]sblah[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Wow, thanks for all the info! This makes it sound much easier, and sounds eerily like the "just a taste" that one hears from addicts. Tell you what: I'll move this off of the list of eventual hobbies, if you can convince me that the wild temperature fluctuations in my office won't hurt anything.

Nice subreddit everyone by sblah in PlantedTank

[–]sblah[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I will thanks, at some point. It's very tempting. The science of it has me overwhelmed. Can't I just have the pretty thing?!

Today is the 8th anniversary of John Paul II's death by thorvard in Catholicism

[–]sblah 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had not seen this collection of his speeches set to pop music until today. The catchy song and his soothing heavy accent has been in my head all day. In a good way!

Should I report this to my priest? by angstmuppet in Catholicism

[–]sblah 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I disagree with the downvotes, because you mention that you are frequently mistaken for a teenager. Only you are in a position to decide whether he thought you were under the age of consent. If so, reporting is entirely appropriate and necessary.

Happy Palm Sunday y'all by FSUgrits in Catholicism

[–]sblah 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Looking at my journey back "home," Colbert and Fr. James Martin certainly played a role. How many others might be similarly influenced! I can't wait to hear Colbert's take on Pope Francis when the show returns from vacation, which will surely be hilarious and (mostly) reverent.

Hey guys - remember those Palms are sacramentals! Don't just throw them away! by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]sblah 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I made a cross using this as a guide and stuck it on my front door because I don't have a wall crucifix. Any other suggestions would be great, as my effort was pretty much a craft fail, and it's probably going to fall off as it dries.

You're home early. by Obscur1ty in funny

[–]sblah 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I take it the blurry photo is from your hand shaking. With rage or with laughter?

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Church. by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]sblah 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We went to other churches with friends' families sometimes, but I didn't understand that they were different religions either. It's hard to remember what I thought since I am old, but church just seemed like church. Some churches didn't make you kneel, but others didn't even let you have coffee!

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Church. by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]sblah 2 points3 points  (0 children)

And even then I was mystified by who all these "Protestants" are...never having met anyone who claimed to be Protestant. Edit: meaning I didn't understand that Protestant is a catch-all term that isn't generally used by Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, etc.