From Amanda's very early writing (1990s to early 2000s), shared as it was originally written.
YOGA - SECRET WEAPON AGAINST PAIN
Who wants to have a body that's trim, flexible, strong and pain free and does what you want it to do, when you want it to do it?! Almost everyone of course. But why is it that so many people in our society suffer pain or discomfort and have their joints seize up and grow old before their time. and why is back pain the worst problem?
Because a) we don't use our joints properly b) we don't move them enough so, c) our brains lose the fine tuned control over them and d) our muscles weaken, stretch or become tight and so the whole bio mechanics ( a big word meaning how things move) of our body systems is out of kilter. Which then leaves us open and ready for injury.
What can we do about it? Yoga. That's what we can do! Before you think "Oh no, this time she's gone too far and stop reading, listen to why I'm suggesting we put it into schools and everyday life and especially for our more mature citizens.
Today I read an article on Jane Fonda and she has now discovered that it's important to enjoy the exercise you do and to not be obsessed with thinness. (which she was) and she's discovered yoga. She has in fact (of course, yes you guessed it) put out another video - on yoga.
'Well, this time, she's on the right track. I've been practicing yoga for ten years. My yoga teacher is a bloke. A good Aussie bloke. With a great body - better than the pumped up body builder sort. Peter is strong - incredibly strong and flexible - you should see what he can make his body do! He's no wimp and doesn't dress in orange robes and eat fruit and nuts. The type of yoga we do is Iyengar yoga - it's a version that's more strenuous and physical than other forms I've tried. That's why I like it. I feel fantastic - full of energy after a lesson. Five or six of us go through a one and a half hour class once a week - good stretching and strengthening and balancing and reconnecting our brains to our bodies, with a ten minute relaxation at the end of the session.
I've been "preaching" yoga for years now and I would like to dispel some of the many misconceptions that exist about this underrated form of exercise.
- Yoga is not some weirdo, Indian, way out hippie sort of "thing". It's a form of exercise that gently (or as strongly as you want) stretches and strengthens your body. It has nothing to do with religion. And you wear ordinary old shorts/T shirts/tracksuits or leotards.
- You don't have to be female to do yoga! It's just that most men think it's a wimpy sort of thing to do - when in fact, it's one of the most strenuous and beneficial forms of exercise I know. (Keep in mind, it's as strenuous as you want it to be - always work within your limits). The other reason men do other sports is that when they attend a yoga class they are so horrified at how stiff their body is they give up! Don't do it guys - stick with it - you'll loosen up and will be amazed at how much better you feel and your tennis/golf/swimming/cricket/football (yes, even football) performance improves.
- It takes one and a half hours every day. Wrong! I choose to go to a one and a half hour class once a week and practice selected exercises each day (or every couple of days.) Ideally, I'd do a 20 minute yoga session each day.
- It's strenuous and I need to be fit. NO, you don't! You can slot into beginners, intermediate or advanced classes and work at your own rate within them. You just so what you can.
- I have to stand on one leg or my head or balance in strange positions. Wrong again! True some of the postures (as they name positions) you precise involve headstands and balancing on one leg (not at the same time!) but only when you're ready for it. And not at all if you don't want to.
- All yoga teachers are the same and teach the same stuff! No they're not! Try a few different teachers and find one that suits you. And try a couple of different types of yoga for the one that's best for you. (There's an Iyengar Yoga Association that may be able to provide you with the names of teachers in your area.
So if you're plagued by back pain, neck pain, arthritic aches and pains, stiffness - or even if you feel good and want to feel better, if you want to tone up your body, free up your joints and have more energy give yoga a try. You'll need to persist for a couple of months to give your body time to gently stretch and strengthen and then you'll feel like you have a new lease on life!
Maybe you could arrange yoga classes at lunchtime in the workplace. Or have a personal yoga trainer. Or get together a few friends on a weekly basis and have the yoga instructor come to you. Or go to a yoga center. There are lots of options. You can even improve your cardio vascular (that means heart and lung) fitness levels with the stronger and more physical yoga routines. And you learn how to relax at the end of the session. You become aware of muscles you didn't even know you had. You coordination improves. Your sports performance is enhance. Your stress levels reduce. Have I convinced you to "give it a go"yet! Try it - I reckon my body is about as flexible and strong as a 23 year old because of yoga, my sense of humor, walking and meditation. This would be not so good if I was 19. Ok, if I was 23 and great if I was 40. I think yoga's great!
