Should I quit going to yoga?

[madmisskelly]

I had my third class this morning, and while the first two classes were great, this class was awful.

The first two classes were very relaxing and the instructor doesn't push you, but lets you just go at your own pace and only adjusts you if what you are doing is going to injure you.

However, today's class was anything but relaxing. It was all about stretching as much as you can, and every bit of it was painful for me.

The instructor was adjusting everyone but had to spend a lot of time adjusting me.

I was the least flexible person in the class and required the most readjustment and assistance. Even the instructor seemed surprised at how inflexible I am. Sometimes she would verbally tell me how to readjust myself in front of everyone.

I had to stay on all the simple modifications while everyone else moved on.

The instructor wasn't mean, and I don't think she meant it to be mean but it was all very humiliating. I felt on the spot, clumsy and awful.

Im not graceful, flexible or good at stuff like that. I'm good at weight lifting, boxing and strength.

I just feel discouraged and I don't think I want to go again after this experience.

[Shazam]

Ah. I know the feeling. I'm not very flexible either. I had this mean yoga teacher. She would readjust several people. It was humiliating. Maybe, it was just this type of yoga or teacher that made you have this experience? Because part of some yoga, positioning is somehow important. And yeah, I guess she was trying to push you. And the more you try getting right, the more you can improve. But, if it's not for you, then you can try not attending that class. For the relaxing bit, I think you should not give up. If it's worth it.

[Deft_maiden]

Yoga is about going at your own pace. True Yoga fans would be focused on their breathing and form. Sort of in their own little world! That being said you are a novice and perhaps you needed some help. I am sure she was being helpful. Afterall you don't want to hurt yourself and learn correctly. In a month or two you will see the benefits both physically and mentally. Don't give up just yet. Yoga is way more complex and difficult than it appears.

Next time stay in the back so you don't feel selfconscious. Enjoy :)

[Deft_maiden]

Nah realy? Thanks :D

[madmisskelly]

Thank you :)

[Deft_maiden]

Yw keep it up Yoga is addicting.

Best

[martyfellow]

Don't giv eup going; you might find that this stretcig helps you recover from other workouts you are doing.l 'Taoli to9 the instructor before class is you can m sure shell adjust her approach. I have simialr problems in yoga..of course I'm one of the few guys anyway...and I can't match the others in flexibility either. The instructor gives me a little extra help but unerstands I'm not going to be on the same le3el as the others anytime soon.

[CasaNorba]

i felt the same exact way when I did Yoga X for the P90X. it was not relaxing at all but it did pay off in the end as I felt like superman. so I guess yoga is not always relaxing, it no doubt has its own types of styles and routine. so if I where you I just keep going cause it will pay off in the end no matter what, plus I love changes; I wouldn't want it to be relaxing all the time

[somnambulated]

That sounds iffy to me. You aren't supposed to stretch to the point of pain. That's your muscle telling you to let up. You can gain flexibility without tearing your muscles in the process which is really something you want to avoid, obviously. If your teacher was encouraging you to push through the pain then I think you need to find a new yoga instructor. Yoga, like any sport or physical activity, when done wrong, or without proper instruction, or when done too much or too hard, CAN injure you - even yoga practitioners who have been doing it for years as their life's calling. So just be careful as you would with anything else - don't give up if you enjoy it, but you can definitely explore other yoga paths or teachers.

[curiouschica]

I wouldn't stretch to where it feels painful...just stretch to where there is a slight amount of discomfort. You'll get more flexible the more you do it. No worries! Maybe you could talk to her privately before the next class and just politely ask her if you can go at your own pace (she'll get the idea that you want less public cuing)...I don't think you have anything to be embarrassed about. Sounds like you are trying to take care of your body, and that's always a positive thing! Give the class a few more tries, and if you really don't like it (not because you aren't good at it), then pursue something else...

[Deepthinker25]

the more you practice something, the better you'l get. so if you don't want to be embarrassed in a yoga class, than take some video's from target or something, and follow along until your good enough to take a class without being embarrassed. Yoga makes you good at everything that involves physical activity, so I definitely recommend keeping up with yoga even if you don't attend a class

[bermudaphoenix]

yup what he said yoga centers your body so don't give up! Its a valuable precursor to other activities plus its super relaxing, just need some time to get in the swing of things...

[yogaJoe]

I hope you don't quit, especially because of one bad experience. I'm a big believer in Yoga, just remember Yoga is about being the best YOU that you can be. It's not about being the best. You're such a beautiful woman, and our bodies like to be stretched out, not knotted up. Stick with it for awhile before you make up your mind.

[rachiee]

I don't think you should quit. The more you do it, the better you'll get at it. Practice at home. Not everyone is incredibly flexible so don't be so hard on yourself. No ones ever got anything accomplished by quitting. I think if you stick with it then at the end of it all you'll be proud of yourself for pushing yourself, that's what exercise is really about.

[smokahontas]

I think you should continue yopga because yoga is a great way to relieve stress. I think that maybe you should get another instructor or go to a different yoga class. Also you can always ask your yoga instructot not to adjust you or verbally talk when doing something wrong, yoga is supposed to be mainly about being relxed with yourself, not getting all the stretches perfect.

[kheserthorpe]

Sounds like a miserable class that you probably benefited a lot from.

Accept that this may not be your area of natural strength, but one you can work on to complement your other strengths.

[cendrillion]

dont quit just practice, ask the instructor or a friend in the class to help u

[Anonymous]

You get humiliated too easily. She was trying to help you. Probably no one else in the class thought anything of it. If you like yoga keep going, if not then don't go.