age and Bikram

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

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jejones512
Participant

November 28, 2012 at 3:00 pm

Post count: 17

#2440

I’m nearly 62 and have been practicing yoga with classes at the YMCA for about 4 years, plus I have always been very active with walking, water aerobics and tai chi. I decided I would like something challenging so I bought a Groupon for the Bikram studio near my house.

I am not in week 5 of practice and I’ve been going about 4-5 days a week and really love it. I would like to know if there are others on the forum who took up Bikram when they were over 50? If so, I’d like to know what sort of benefits they noticed over time.

I know I am not nearly as flexible as the younger members of class. My neck and spine are not bad but certainly can use improvement. I was wondering just how much improvement I could expect to see over time. I realize if I keep practicing that flexibility will improve but I’m not sure I can ever get my neck flat on the floor in savasana or grab my ankles in camel. In full locust I can only raise my legs about an inch!

Is it too late for my body to really do all these poses?

Joan

kfi2000
Participant

November 28, 2012 at 10:08 pm

Post count: 108

#10086

Good for you! Never too late IMO, and at any age you have to listen to your body to know where your limits are. This is a link from the studio I go to, about one of the Students of the Month. She is an inspiration to me. Read her story, and you will see why.

http://bikramyogasavannah.com/arlene-meyer/

Don’t compare yourself to other students. It is your practice, and if you love it, keep going!

-Kristin

jejones512
Participant

November 29, 2012 at 2:23 pm

Post count: 17

#10089

Thanks, Kristin. Great article! There are people of all ages at the studio I got to but many of the older members look like theyve been doing it quite a while. I guess we never know how we look to others either. There is one older woman in my class who, to me, looks like a cover on yoga journal. Yesterday she told me she’s only been doing Bikram for 6 months and she feels she is struggling and should be doing better. I’m going to tell her about this forum next time I see her.

kfi2000
Participant

November 29, 2012 at 2:46 pm

Post count: 108

#10091

Oh I so agree with you about not knowing how we look to others! I am definitely not the youngest chicken in class, not the oldest either. I feel like I struggle so much, and yet after one class a student paid me a compliment, “You have such a strong practice!”. Really?? So you just never know, and in the end it doesn’t matter. I’m so glad you enjoy the class, that’s really all that matters.

Namaste!

-Kristin

Paul Dilley
Participant

December 2, 2012 at 11:40 am

Post count: 2

#10104

Hi there,

The minor health conditions that we face early in life are the culprit for the aches and stiffness that we suffer at older age. If these conditions where not dealt with at a holistic level they will lead to major health problems later on.

You have made the right decision to start Bikram yoga. Since you have been physically active in your earlier years than it will not take much time to see positive results. Just stick to your schedule and training and do not stop.
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