Is yoga a good beginner's exercise for someone who is overweight?

Question

I know someone who never exercised before. They are now overweight and have bad knees (that is why they are trying to lose the weight). They were interested in taking a beginner's yoga class. Is this a good idea or should they get into something else?

Answer 1

As a yoga instructor, I'd say yoga is for everyone. But you have to talk to your yoga instructor before the class and tell her/him that you have bad knees. Just like any class, the instructor should look after your needs. In the case of yoga, the instructor would tell you to roll up your mat to make the mat thicker so you may rest you knees on them. Also, never bring your knees over your ankles when doing any pose because this may tear the ligaments. This should be common practise in any sport, not just yoga.
Since you're starting out in yoga, you might feel as if you need to be flexible (most of my students gripe about this). Don't sweat it. Flexibility has very little to do with yoga. Oftentimes, the more inflexible the student, the better the work out he/she gets. So, think of it that way. You'll get better as you go along. Your body will start to change with the exercises. You'll start to notice your abs start tightening and your arms and legs growing stronger. Eventually, your knees may even improve (some of my students tell me that their long standing problems have been removed since they've started practicing yoga)
Yoga is an inward activity. And when practicing it, try letting go of expectation, judgement and competition. When you've attuned your mind to letting go of these three things, you'll have an awesome yogic experience.
Much love and have fun!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

YES, but be careful with even some beginners Asanas or stretching exercises. Consult with your physician even before doing beginners yoga exercises.

Yoga actually means a method of uniting with something higher such as a higher mentality, a higher intelligence and ultimately the eternal spiritual self.

Answer 4

Most definitely. A beginner class in any type of exercise will help someone tone up and lose weight. As they get more flexible and the weight drops, they can take things up a notch. Congratulations on helping your friend take the initiative to get healthy.

Answer 5

Yoga is a great low impact exercise, as well as Tai Chi.

it stretches the body in each movement and position and allows the person to feel like they have made an accomplishment once they realize just how inflexible they were when they began. Who knows, they may even discover a love of it and find them self lost in it as a new hobby, which is truly more healthy than housework. :P


Oh and if it's a guy friend who is beginning this...he will love it, trust me. Watching a chick show off her flexibility, even when they aren't meaning to might definitly keepo them motivated *wink*

Answer 6

They can always try it, and see if they can do the exercises. If not, or in addition, they should try swimming. Swimming is low-impact so it's easy on the knees, and it can burn a lot of calories and build muscle tone. Most gyms with a swimming pool have swim classes that are good for people of any fitness level.

Answer 7

check out Diamond Dallas website's YRG work out. He has a 50 plus application for heavier people who prefer the reward of yoga and shed extra pounds. perfect cost i stumbled on is on ebay, seach YRG. He changed this yoga based work out so which you do no longer could get into "pretzel" positions. good success

Answer 8

Its a good idea, but for better results you should include cardio as well and then you can focus more on yoga to firm up.

Answer 9

read tips on weight loss and exercise programs to get you started on this site