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2005/02/10, 09:44 AM
I have been contemplating adding Pilates or Yoga to my program - I need to unstress, I am getting good benefits from the gym, lifting and cardio, but I need a more spiritual centering also, mind and body type workout, also. I was wondering if any of you could give me some input on this and I will search fitbuddy, too. Our gym is a very "social" scene and the teens like to sit and chat on the machines rather than work them so the chatter is a bit distracting (there are many teens that work out, too, and are serious about it), then there is the gym owner's baby screeching at the top of his lungs for 10 minutes at a time 20 feet from the machines, and they play the radio full blast - which I like loud, but the 15 minute commercial runs seem to come 2 minutes after my arrival, lol, so as much as I try to focus within, I can still feel my blood pressure rising. I am getting a great workout, but would just like to add something to it that may help me lose some of the tension within :) Or if there is another program some of you have used to alleviate tension and stress and yet still have a physical workout, I would be interested in hearing your opinions. Thanks much.
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Veda
MISERY IS OPTIONAL
***When you are up to your ears in trouble, try using the part that is not submerged.
***The difference between a dream and a goal is a plan.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
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2005/02/10, 11:25 AM
Veda,
As human beings we are able to use selective attention. You can tune out all that other stuff if you focus a little. Headphones help also as asimmer said. When I am in the gym I am able to focus all of my efforts and my energy to my workout to the point where I am not even really aware of what is going on around me. I bet if you focused a little better and used selective attention you wouldnt have a problem. Unless ofcourse a hot guy walks in, in which case it would be ok to lose focus for a second. But only for a second.
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If you are full of excuses, dont bother with me. If you are ready to make some sacrifices for the better we will get along just fine. I hate EXCUSES!!!!!
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2005/02/10, 11:14 AM
veda - get some headphones, woman!
I think yoga would be more relaxing than Pilate's.
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Spoon feeding in the long run teaches us nothing but the shape of the spoon.
-- E. M. Forster --
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2005/02/10, 02:23 PM
Veda, I am currently doing 2 Pilates classes/week along with my regular cardio and wt training routines. I would not do without the Pilates. It is great for the core with the added benifit of stress release. Our intructor dims the lights and has nice quiet, mellow music playing in the background, but the workout is still entense enough. Pilates are taught in different formats, so you'd want to check out a class first.
Yoga is great as well, probably more relaxing, but I like the workout I get from the Pilates and what it's done for my stomach muscles!!
As far as tuning out at the gym, I invested in an MP3 player and couldn't live without it now.
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2005/02/10, 02:40 PM
Sing along with the music at the top of your lungs.
Do both yoga and pilates and switch from time to time.
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There is plenty of room for all Gods creatures right next to the mashed potatoes.
Charlie
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2005/02/11, 06:51 PM
yoga is more spiritual (some types more than others - you would need to try different ones to see which you like)
pilates are more working the core muscles
At least that is what I have notice - I have a couple of yage tapes & they really help me destress
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Reddy
All people smile in the same language
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2005/02/13, 05:46 PM
I agree with ready on that yoga is more spiritual. Personally I think that over time you'd notice the same benefits with yoga as pilates. If I am correct, I believe that the person who developed pilates actually modeled some concepts from yoga. It all depends on what you end up taking to. For me pilates is faster paced, so you don't really have time to do as much of the spiritual stress releasing stuff. However, lots of the advanced yoga positions require as much concentration. I'd say that at this point in your fitness track you'd probably like yoga more since you are looking for destressing. I find that some pilates classes can run almost more like aerobics with a perky woman screaming things for your to do in the front of the class. But try them both out. Once you get more advanced with the yoga then I think that you'll find pilates and yoga to be comperable for destressing and for shaping up. Do yourself a favor though and try a few yoga and pilates classes out. See what you like best.
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2005/02/20, 09:32 PM
For me, Yoga was a great place to start. It helped me improve my posture, learn to actually breathe (I didn't even know I wasn't breathing as much as I should be!), and very importantly helped me learn focus and how to listen to my body. I do not regret having started with Yoga. It also works the body core when properly engaged in the positions. When I had the time to do my practice daily, I was seeing much improvement in toning my body physically as well as spiritually.
I first started by introducing myself to Yoga with the "Yoga for Dummies" dvd. After I became familiar with the basic poses and I felt the dvd was no longer challenging me, I enrolled in the beginner sessions at a local Yoga studio. Now, I attend twice a week sessions at my Gym and I love it! It's a great supplement to my training program and the stretching feels great after a hard workout. :-)
~b
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*all Magic begins in the Mind*
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2005/02/21, 10:58 AM
There is also such a thing as yogalites which is of course the combo of the two. And yes pilates is an offshoot of yoga. Any exercise is relaxing but yoga is more spiritual therefore I think even adding an extra relaxation technique.
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