Healing Yoga: For Aches and Pains

I got home from work tonight and decided to do some yoga. It’s been a few weeks (um a month?) since I attempted yoga at home and with my stiff, sore hip and possible pulled BUTT muscle (snicker) I decided it was desperately needed. A quick search in Netflix brought me to: “Healing Yoga: For Aches and Pains.” The description is such: “uses yoga to address and correct chronic injuries and illness. This installment of the series teaches moves that focus on relieving the symptoms of arthritis, back pain, neck pain and pain from injuries. Designed for all fitness levels, the simple moves help increase the range of motion to one’s spine and joints while promoting flexibility and fluid body movement.”

I got all my yoga and stretching gear out.

And my yoga mat:

I did the 35 minute yoga video on Netflix. It was a great video. I did a lot of really good moves that stretched out my hips and thighs. I realized pretty quickly that I am very, very tight. I need to be doing yoga more than once a month, clearly. I think I will dedicate 1 Rest Day a week to yoga and try to fit in another 30 minute yoga stretching video sometime on the weekends. Maybe after my “long” work outs that I usually do on Saturdays.

The video had a lot of moves with a chair involved. At first I was skeptical, thinking I wasn’t going to get a very good stretch with the chair. But I was pleasantly surprised! I was really feeling the stretch! In a good way! No pain. I took it easy and didn’t push myself.

I used my chair and did the suggested stretches. Not only did they work, I realized that I could do these stretches with the chair in my cubicle at work. Perfect!

Chair Yoga

Marie over at Cheaper Than Therapy also posted some links for me to try out. I watched and followed this Video three times. It’s from the Runner’s World website and show specific exercises and stretches for hips and thighs. Watch the video! It’s really good. I know for sure that these stretches will be going into my regular stretching routine now. I also did my Foam Roller.

Guess who helped me with my yoga?

Fat Kitty

Yep! Fat Kitty! He’s ALWAYS been a fan of yoga. Whenever I’m on my mat, he wants to be right there helping me out. He did a little of his own yoga! Just like his Mama: stretching those hips!

Cat Yoga

I did 50 minutes of yoga and stretching. I feel much better. I will ice later and use Icy Hot and my hope is that I wake up tomorrow feeling 100% better! If not, swimming will probably stretch my muscles out. All I want is to be able to enjoy my upcoming long weekend with the planned activities: walking, hiking, and biking! Summer is finally here!

QUESTION: What is your favorite yoga video?