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Does anyone in hacker news actually use yoga? Im curious but I need more info.

by 0xEA 16y ago

georgieporgie 16y ago
I'm trying very hard to keep my answer brief. :-) I started about six years ago. My initial experiences were positively brutal, and I hated (nearly) every moment of every class for the first month. I stuck with it, though. Over the course of the next few years, I experimented with different styles and teachers, ultimately working my way up to three or four classes per week (I had to be careful due to several chronic injuries -- I had to work with my teachers to develop technique modifications to suite me). There are many different styles, and every teacher is different. I generally prefer the more repetitive, physically challenging varieties (like Ashtanga), and I tend to find overly spiritual or pseudo-science-y teachers to be a bit irritating. Over time, I found that my mood was generally much better when I regularly attended yoga classes. Partly this is simply due to getting a set amount of exercise, but there's a lot to be said for the mental aspects of it. I wouldn't say I meditated, per se, but the break from responsibilities and external stress really does seem to benefit my mental health.
- 0xEA 16y ago
  Were the physical benefits enough or would you still need to do other exercise to stay fit?
  - georgieporgie 16y ago
    I suppose it depends on what your goals are, but I would say that several fairly difficult yoga classes per week give a very well-rounded level of fitness. You won't build sheer mass like you will with intense weights, and you won't develop tremendous leg muscles and lung power as with cycling or running, but if you just want to be fit, I highly recommend yoga. A particularly great thing about yoga is that you're working on your breathing, posture, and flexibility. All of these are things we tend to neglect in tech jobs.
jfager 16y ago
I've done it for a little over 2 years now. I also run and lift weights, and I feel like the three complement each other very well (flexibility, endurance, strength). The hardest part is finding a good teacher that you mesh with. If you go to a class and end up hating it, try another one. In my experience, the teacher matters far more than the label on the class - I've been to "advanced ashtanga" classes where I didn't even break a sweat and "beginner hatha" classes where I felt like I was going to die. I usually feel much better after a good yoga class than I ever do after a good run or workout - less sore, more alert, more relaxed. I'm also consistently surprised at the new things I'm able to do since starting yoga (proper pullups, headstands, touch toes w/o even feeling a stretch). All in all, I'm a big fan, and would recommend it highly.
superkarn 16y ago
I've been doing it once a week since last year. It helps that it's a work sponsored activity or I probably wouldn't have gotten into it.
- georgieporgie 16y ago
  That's what got me into it, too. Despite years of curiosity, I could never overcome the discomfort/social fear element. To anyone else who is hesitant, remember this: yoga people are very non-judgmental. Everyone remembers what it was like just starting out, and nobody will be put off by your clumsiness, chubbiness, or ridiculous clothing.
GiraffeNecktie 16y ago
I don't do it every day but I have a little five minute routine I practice every once in a while if I feel my body getting stiff or I start getting headaches. Yoga classes are great too. Especially for single guys.

Does anyone in hacker news actually use yoga? Im curious but I need more info.

by 0xEA 16y ago

Does anyone in hacker news actually use yoga? Im curious but I need more info.

I'm trying very hard to keep my answer brief. :-) I started about six years ago. My initial experiences were positively brutal, and I hated (nearly) every moment of every class for the first month. I stuck with it, though. Over the course of the next few years, I experimented with different styles and teachers, ultimately working my way up to three or four classes per week (I had to be careful due to several chronic injuries -- I had to work with my teachers to develop technique modifications to suite me). There are many different styles, and every teacher is different. I generally prefer the more repetitive, physically challenging varieties (like Ashtanga), and I tend to find overly spiritual or pseudo-science-y teachers to be a bit irritating. Over time, I found that my mood was generally much better when I regularly attended yoga classes. Partly this is simply due to getting a set amount of exercise, but there's a lot to be said for the mental aspects of it. I wouldn't say I meditated, per se, but the break from responsibilities and external stress really does seem to benefit my mental health.

0xEA 16y ago
Were the physical benefits enough or would you still need to do other exercise to stay fit?
- georgieporgie 16y ago
  I suppose it depends on what your goals are, but I would say that several fairly difficult yoga classes per week give a very well-rounded level of fitness. You won't build sheer mass like you will with intense weights, and you won't develop tremendous leg muscles and lung power as with cycling or running, but if you just want to be fit, I highly recommend yoga. A particularly great thing about yoga is that you're working on your breathing, posture, and flexibility. All of these are things we tend to neglect in tech jobs.

jfager 16y ago

I've done it for a little over 2 years now. I also run and lift weights, and I feel like the three complement each other very well (flexibility, endurance, strength). The hardest part is finding a good teacher that you mesh with. If you go to a class and end up hating it, try another one. In my experience, the teacher matters far more than the label on the class - I've been to "advanced ashtanga" classes where I didn't even break a sweat and "beginner hatha" classes where I felt like I was going to die. I usually feel much better after a good yoga class than I ever do after a good run or workout - less sore, more alert, more relaxed. I'm also consistently surprised at the new things I'm able to do since starting yoga (proper pullups, headstands, touch toes w/o even feeling a stretch). All in all, I'm a big fan, and would recommend it highly.

superkarn 16y ago

I've been doing it once a week since last year. It helps that it's a work sponsored activity or I probably wouldn't have gotten into it.

georgieporgie 16y ago
That's what got me into it, too. Despite years of curiosity, I could never overcome the discomfort/social fear element. To anyone else who is hesitant, remember this: yoga people are very non-judgmental. Everyone remembers what it was like just starting out, and nobody will be put off by your clumsiness, chubbiness, or ridiculous clothing.

GiraffeNecktie 16y ago

I don't do it every day but I have a little five minute routine I practice every once in a while if I feel my body getting stiff or I start getting headaches. Yoga classes are great too. Especially for single guys.