Or is the actual yoga itself the stretch?. I'm not that flexible and it seems to me that if I stretched before doing yoga, I would be able to do the poses better. Also, if I can't be as flexible as the others, does that mean they get more benefis from a yoga session than me?
2006-09-12 06:02:45 · 10 answers · asked by Carlu 1 in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
Yoga, in the physical sense of the practice, is mainly about stretching and strengthening the muscles. Therefore, it is not necessary to stretch before doing yoga. However, it is important to note that there are preparatory poses before progressing to the next one.
For example, if you were to do the splits, you would have to do the other poses such as head-to-knee forward bend to stretch the hamstrings, hero pose to stretch the quadriceps, and bound angle pose to stretch the hips before coming into the full splits. Generally, the more basic poses are taught in the beginning to gradually stretch the muscles before doing the harder ones.
To answer your 2nd question, flexibility is not a requirement when practicing yoga. Even if you cannot come into the full pose due to tightness, you will still receive much of the benefits. In fact, it has been said that less flexible people have much more to gain and benefit because their body and mind are working harder to get into a pose as opposed to extremely flexible people, who have it easy and their bodies do not work as hard. Nevertheless, the benefits come not only physically, but mentally and emotionally.
2006-09-12 18:47:56 · answer #1 · answered by eatyourtofu 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is necessary to stretch before doing yoga because in yoga you stretch your muscles beyond what they are normally stretch. In not stretching you risk further injury to your muscles. If you are not as flexible as others it doesn't mean that they are getting more out of the session they probably have been doing it longer. Everyone gets equal benefits of yoga sessions in the mentallity of it all.
2006-09-12 06:18:12 · answer #2 · answered by sbenoit83 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do yoga at home, but I just do a couple downward facing dog and a couple of side arm stretches. The yoga itself is a lot of stretching, but it can't hurt to warm up a bit.
2006-09-12 06:10:38 · answer #3 · answered by michellelangston2001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had yoga before and I don't remember stretching before it. We did start with light stretchiest rather than aggressive. I guess that must be the warm up.Not being able to stretch as much as the other does not give them more benefits, it gives you because by the end u will be more flexible.
2006-09-12 06:09:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually Hatha Yoga is all about stretching, really. There is one routine that is always done first in India, the Surya Namaskar. Do that first, and then do your asanas. Lastly do Savasana. Then if you like, light pranayama, and then meditation. That's how it's done in India. Spent 2 whole years there.
2006-09-12 06:07:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont... but thats just me. actually when i took a yoga class we started out doing stretches so maybe it would be a good idea. it should help you with your flexability so dont worry about other people getting more benefits. for me its not really about anything physical its more mental.
2006-09-12 06:08:39 · answer #6 · answered by liz c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely, other wise you will be in pain and could seriously injure yourself.
2006-09-12 06:06:30 · answer #7 · answered by ari 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2006-09-12 06:04:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, but it is necessary or at least preferably to warm up.
2006-09-12 09:20:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes because i think you will gat better results.
2006-09-12 06:05:57 · answer #10 · answered by shayday 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋