Starting yoga - should I be worried?

If you play badminton, which requires fast reflexes of hands and feet, then I'd say that you'll settle into yoga very well. Starting with easy stretching movements will help your knees and other joints to become more flexible over time. It can only be a positive as it's very relaxing. Enjoy and tell us how you get on.

NotTooOld I have just started Pilates, I have difficulty getting on to the floor & getting back up but I tried & will hopefully continue as I hope with time I will build up strength, improve mobility & improve balance. Luckily there were only 4 of us (new class) so Tutor had more time to almost one to one.

Poll and Jalima - thanks for the encouragement. I really didn't like being the only one who couldn't do stuff and I'm not a shy, easily embarrassed type. I wish I'd started yoga years ago as I can see there are big benefits.

That's a real shame NotTooOld. Why not ask if you can do another couple of classes on a pay as you go basis rather than commit to the full run? Then make up your mind. I wouldn't be without my yoga - it keeps me supple and sane. And with 2 damaged wrists and a dodgy retina (nothing on my head lol!) there are lots of postures and moves I cannot do. Don't compete with the others. After a while you will notice a huge difference!

I think they used to do yoga classes for older people near me but unfortunately the teacher has retired now. At the class I used to go to before we moved here are some very elderly ladies still going, one in her 90s. I think doing it weekly for years is fine, but perhaps that class sounds rather strenuous for a beginner NotTooOld. Years ago when I was a young mum I went to classes which were extremely strenuous but I couldn't do that now.

Don't feel bad about it - it's the wrong class for you and the teacher should realise that.

Well, I feel really bad now as I messaged the teacher last night explaining I found the floor exercises very uncomfortable and would not be signing up. She is a lovely lady and asked if there was anything she could do to make it easier for me. There isn't really. TBH I felt a right wally as the other class members were either yummy mummies or gym bunnies and none of them had trouble sitting on the floor or getting up from it. I understand that yoga is not competitive and one should focus on oneself but there is a limit!

What about Tai Chi - it's quite slow and measured but supposed to improve your core strength (I think). Quite a few older people seem to do it and I am thinking of re-joining a class as I haven't been for years and I found yoga made my joints more painful when I re-started doing that after a break of a few years.

A good teacher will encourage you to sit on a chair until your mobility improves.

The problem for me is that there is absolutely no way I could sit on the floor - and even if I did I would not be able to get up!!!

I started yoga when I was 59- to improve my balance mostly as my mother has had multiple falls and broken bones since hitting her 60s. I wanted to avoid this at all costs.
I love it, you do what your body allows you to and this will increase with time and practice. As others have said, tell the instructor about your hip and knees- a good teacher will always give you alternative postures. Lots of people in my class are much younger( but no more flexible) but there are a good number of oldies like me. Best thing I ever did. Enjoy

Last year age 58 I set my self a goal of running a 5K which i had managed in my thirties and forties but not run for several years. I managed the 5 k after building up the distances but I also developed bursitis in my left hip. An Xray revealed some arthritic changes and after i had lots of rest and physio the bursitis is hardly there now but I've given up on the running. I walk 5k with supportive shoes and swim and I do Trigger point Pilates and yesterday I tried a Yoga class which I really enjoyed and will continue with.
I think as we age we need to be more gentle with our joints. Good luck with your yoga NotToOld

A good yoga teacher will take into account your physical issues. I've been going to yoga for over 10 years. We get all sorts of abilities and it's fine. Some are incredibly able (and envy inducing!), but others are much less able. When I started I was (obviously) younger, slimmer and healthier. I now have Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. But I'm stronger and more flexible than I was. I'm so glad I discovered yoga when I did as I'd probably worry it would be too hard for me now. I go to 3 or 4 classes each week and can easily do headstands etc. Go along and I really hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I started yoga a year ago as I did no other exercise. I persevered, not doing all the exercises, and it took several months before I began to notice how much more supple I was, and now I can rise up from bed / sun lounger without using my hands - it’s a small miracle! I still can’t do anything that puts extra weight onto my toes as some bones are fused but I just do what I can and would highly recommend. Worth sticking with!

NottooOld I started yoga recently and find sitting crossed legged and upright hard (and I don't have a new hip) but you'll soon find that you focus on yourself and not the others in the class

NannyC2 most people don't think of yoga as a spiritual practice and do it for the benefits. Those who practice for religious reasons don't regard their deity as false - each to his own!

you must first have approval from your doctor or physical therapist.
As a Christian I would not practice yoga since the intention of yoga is a path to attain salvation through union with a false deity.
Spiritual meditation can be done without Yoga, but not everyone is religious and therefore, everyone has free choice.

NTO you have been given great advise on here re your new yoga classes. Keep going, as others have said you did half the class, so well done you! If your class have no blocks, get your own and a new yoga mat, as it's nice to have your own, it does take 6 sessions to get the 'sticky' in the new mat, so a little practice at home will do the trick. Also a blanket is very handy, to roll up and sit on, instead of the block, to cushion your knees and hips, and head when you get onto the headstand not serious about the head stand lol.

I am a yoga teacher, and have students with many different health problems, including hip replacements, I always give variations and always say at the beginning to read your body and leave anything out that's not for you.

I've had cancer survivors, that were my students before, during and after, that have come just for the relaxation after their op and/or chemo, and from there, slowly back to being a regular yogi. Ages from children to 85yrs old and all fantastic!

Good luck xx

I've had two knees and one hip replaced ( one more hip and I'll have a full set ) and I go to keep-fit classes three times a week, it's more like dancing which I love , we exercise every part of the body from fingers to toes and the music we exercise to is very uplifting and varied. I love it.

I did yoga for years then went back last year. After a few lessons I developed bursitis in my hip which I cannot get rid of. It is very painful especially at night so no more yoga for me. Just be careful and take it easy. It is not easy for people of our age to sit crosslegged on the floor for any period of time.

I've practiced Yoga since I was in my 20s. It is an amazing practice for any age. I have seen many people do it sitting on a chair if necessary. If your teacher knows her/his stuff you will get a lot out of it & gain strength & better balance. Do persevere for a few weeks & I'm sure you will notice a positive difference. I can no longer get onto poses I used to find easy but it still keeps me supple & strong. Pilates is very good too but I prefer Yoga. I do so hope you get to look forward to your class.

I go to a weekly yoga class that is aimed at older persons (mostly 60-70) although some younger folk do come sometimes and the focus is always about only going as far into a pose as YOU are comfortable. No pressure, no strain and definitely no pain. For some people strategically placed cushions or rolled towels can help. The great thing about yoga is that there are no absolutes and an experienced teacher will always reinforce this to students. It keeps me flexible in a very gentle way. If one teacher doesn't seem right for you maybe check out alternative classes in your area.

Well done NotTooOld. Even without your limited movement nobody expects to be able to do all the exercises at first. Keep at it and little by little you will get better.

Well done for the half that you managed to do! In time, you may find that you can do more, but the half that you did today probably did you more good than you realise. I go to a yoga nidra class and it feels as though we're hardly doing anything strenuous during class, but the after-effect is so powerful it's amazing!

Glad you managed it, NTO. I bet you weren’t the only person not to do certain things. Instructors are careful to ask about any physical problems and as you say, you were given alternatives. I actually find Pilates easier than yoga and have been doing it for ten years. The fact you could only do half means that you actually DID half which is better than doing nothing. In time you should find yourself able to do some of the stretches more easily. If not, just give a thought to trying Pilates.

Thanks for all the advice. I've just returned from the first class. I did find my knees and hip meant I just could not do many of the exercises but the instructor did indeed give me alternatives, some of which worked. All in all, though, I've come away feeling I've only done half the class and am wondering if it is worth carrying on.

Just make sure you tell the instructor about any joint or other problems and he/she should tell you how to adapt the exercise. I can’t kneel at all but love yoga.