(no subject)

[sethrak]

Hi. I'm a new member, and do yoga largely self-taught by DVD. I got started when I was pregnant with my first child, using dvds co-produced by Yoga Journal and Lamaze. Those were fairly simple, easy, low-impact routines. They were great for keeping me in shape without overtaxing me, and often made it much easier to go to sleep after a long day.

Now I've got two kids, and the attendant squishy belly muscles. I'm trying to get back into shape, and using dvds meant for those who are not pregnant.

The trouble is, I have very tight hamstrings, and always have. I've never been able to touch my toes. The best I can do is reach to mid-calf, and only with my back curving sharply. If I bend starting at the waist and slowly stretching downward, as shown on my dvds, I can get my back into a 45 degree angle before I have to start curving downward incorrectly.

I have never been able to sit on the floor, legs straight out in front of me, or in a v shape, and have both a straight back and legs flat along the floor.

This obviously poses a real problem trying to do yoga.

What sort of stretches should I be doing to loosen my hamstrings? Which dvds do you recommend for someone who's a really really basic beginner?

Thank you for your help. ^_^

Daily Exercise

[muck_a_luck]

I am trying to start exercising every day again.

And went looking for an exercise log community on DW and didn't see one.

So! I created one!

exercise_every_day

Join me, so I won't be talking to myself!