Greetings Fellow Yoga Enthusiasts!

PurpleYogaMat · 09-30-2008, 04:56 PM

Hello! I'm excited to join this community of people who practice yoga. To explain a bit where I'm coming from, here's my yoga background.

I took my first real yoga class at the gym six months ago and I've been hooked ever since. I generally do yoga about three times a week, but am always delighted when I can slip in an extra class. I love the focus that yoga gives me, and enjoy practicing those three wonderful skills: balance, strength and flexibility.

My primary yoga instructor is AWESOME! She mixes up a variety of yoga styles and even what I believe are some martial arts based moves. Every class is different and every class is fun, satisfying, and physically challenging.

I like yoga best when it's physically strenuous and makes me sweaty. Working my body helps to make me feel better and focus my mind. Ideally, someday I'd like to be able to do more headstand/handstand and crazy balance poses because hey, those are super cool!

**David** · 09-30-2008, 09:45 PM

Greetings and welcome to the forums. I look forward to talking yoga with you

PurpleYogaMat · 10-01-2008, 07:56 AM

Thanks! I appreciate the sentiment!

mikesbytes · 10-01-2008, 07:59 PM

Hi PurpleYogaMat,

You sound similar to me. Do you do anything else in addition to the yoga? What country do you live in?

Cheers Mike.

PurpleYogaMat · 10-02-2008, 08:30 AM

I'm in Boston, in the US. Besides yoga, I run for exercise (but don't really love that). Hobby-wise, I go on an occasional backpacking trip, like to dance, and just got back from a week long canoe trip in the boundary waters of Minnesota.

And you?

mikesbytes · 10-02-2008, 08:34 AM

Cycling and weights

I live in Sydney, Australia

louise molenkamp · 10-02-2008, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurpleYogaMat

Hello! I'm excited to join this community of people who practice yoga. To explain a bit where I'm coming from, here's my yoga background.

someday I'd like to be able to do more headstand/handstand and crazy balance poses because hey, those are super cool!

Hi PurpleYogaMat, welcome on this forum. I see you say you are hooked on yoga. Nice to see you are so enthusiastic about it.
So you like to have challenging pose? i heard swami Veda Bharati said, you want to do difficult things? i 'll give you something challenging,
try to relax your forehead
Wishing you always stay happy with yoga
with love from Louise

PurpleYogaMat · 10-03-2008, 08:15 AM

I am definitely still working on that forehead thing! Your point is definitely a good one. I strive to do funky, "complicated" poses, but I am quite humble enough to know that I still need to work on the basics. I don't think I have perfect form at anything, but am always trying to get better!

mikesbytes · 10-03-2008, 02:09 PM

Hows your flexibility?

PurpleYogaMat · 10-03-2008, 05:24 PM

I've always been more flexible than your average person, but I'm certainly not super flexible in yoga terms. Another long term goal I have is to be able to do a split. That's not a yoga goal per se, but is another cool thing I'd like to be able to do.

mikesbytes · 10-04-2008, 12:24 AM

Yeh cool things, I'm with you on that. I've been doing yoga for 4 years. In the beginning I was super unflexible, but after 4 years I have quite good flexibility, which also helps with the bicycle racing as I can get in to more aerodynamic positions.

Splits... I'm a way of that, perhaps one day.

Had another go at headstands this morning, I can do them against a wall. I guess with practice I'll be able to do them in the middle of the room one day.

louise molenkamp · 10-04-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurpleYogaMat

I am definitely still working on that forehead thing! Your point is definitely a good one. I strive to do funky, "complicated" poses, but I am quite humble enough to know that I still need to work on the basics. I don't think I have perfect form at anything, but am always trying to get better!

HI Purpleyogamatt,
Good , you keep working on the foreheadthing, it is one of the most difficult things to do. If you realy want to get into yoga try to find a way of exercises that is balancing you , to work on being more sattvic. relax the effort a bit. You are perfect in your own form already.
It looks to me you are training to be with Circe the soleil?
greeting Louise

PurpleYogaMat · 10-06-2008, 08:43 AM

As much as I like the more complicated poses, I don't actually spend much time practicing many of them because I'm not quite ready yet. I respect that and so I practice easier stuff that will eventually lead to harder stuff. That does not mean, however, that i can't find them to be cool in theory!

Relaxing your forehead, while a useful skill for relaxation, focus, etc. etc., just doesn't hold the same thrill for me. You could argue that yoga was not intended to be about "thrill," but I can still enjoy it from my own perspective on things. Cheers.

PurpleYogaMat · 10-06-2008, 08:46 AM

Mike,

That's cool about the headstands. I've been focusing on crow/crane poses to build up some balance and especially arm strength as it's one of my weaknesses. I run on a regular basis, so my legs are my stronger area.

louise molenkamp · 10-06-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurpleYogaMat

As much as I like the more complicated poses, I don't actually spend much time practicing many of them because I'm not quite ready yet. I respect that and so I practice easier stuff that will eventually lead to harder stuff. That does not mean, however, that i can't find them to be cool in theory!

Relaxing your forehead, while a useful skill for relaxation, focus, etc. etc., just doesn't hold the same thrill for me. You could argue that yoga was not intended to be about "thrill," but I can still enjoy it from my own perspective on things. Cheers.

The story of the forehead was to shake you a bit. sorry for that.
and Yes you are right about that, people can argue about all kind of things.
just enjoy your yoga from your own perspective, that is the best thing you can do . and on your beautiful purple yogamatt that will be easy for you. Be happy
Namaste Louise

PurpleYogaMat · 10-06-2008, 12:05 PM

Don't be sorry, louise! You definitely make an important and valid point with the forehead example. I'm just suggesting that even if one hasn't mastered it yet (or doesn't want to...For the record, it is on my list of things to practice!), there are other fun yoga poses, concepts, purple mats that you can enjoy!

Thanks for the continuing dialogue!

mikesbytes · 10-07-2008, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurpleYogaMat

Mike,

That's cool about the headstands. I've been focusing on crow/crane poses to build up some balance and especially arm strength as it's one of my weaknesses. I run on a regular basis, so my legs are my stronger area.

I'm an ex competitive runner, but that was a long time ago.

Perhaps one of the experts can correct my beginner knowledge, but I would say that as a generalisation (excuse the Aussie spelling) that with the head stands that guys are better once they are up and gals are better at getting up. Reasons;
Guys upper body strength is 75% of lower body strength where Gals are 60%
Gals typically have more flexibility than Guys
Gals have longer legs in relation to their body than Guys

And before the Yogi Guys jump on me, yeh I know there's plenty of flexible guys out there, I'm one of them.

PurpleYogaMat · 10-07-2008, 07:24 AM

That all makes sense to me, Mike (even though, as you said, there are obviously exceptions to the rules).

louise molenkamp · 10-08-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurpleYogaMat

Don't be sorry, louise! You definitely make an important and valid point with the forehead example. I'm just suggesting that even if one hasn't mastered it yet (or doesn't want to...For the record, it is on my list of things to practice!), there are other fun yoga poses, concepts, purple mats that you can enjoy!

Thanks for the continuing dialogue!

Hi Purple yogamat, I am hatha yoga teacher and very interested in what make people so enthusiastic and happy about yoga(like you)
I am sorry, because i tried to see the point of view of others, but realized that i was only trying to make MY point. to try to explain yoga to you, that it is not about bodyexercise
So yes i am sorry. And i could use a little practice in having fun on a yogamatt. i am too serious.
So you just be happy on your mat.
I have a good try in crushing this big ego of mine and than a good laugh at myself after i stopped crying and feeling sorry
Thank you for the lesson you gave me!
much appreciated , with love from louise

JustinTime · 10-08-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louise molenkamp

Hi Purple yogamat, I am hatha yoga teacher and very interested in what make people so enthusiastic and happy about yoga(like you)
I am sorry, because i tried to see the point of view of others, but realized that i was only trying to make MY point. to try to explain yoga to you, that it is not about bodyexercise
So yes i am sorry. And i could use a little practice in having fun on a yogamatt. i am too serious.
So you just be happy on your mat.
I have a good try in crushing this big ego of mine and than a good laugh at myself after i stopped crying and feeling sorry
Thank you for the lesson you gave me!
much appreciated , with love from louise

Some zeal is alright but too much turns people into zealots - definitely not a good thing in whatever system of belief/philosophy.

Quote:

i am too serious

How long have you known? Relax your forehead.

mikesbytes · 10-09-2008, 12:00 AM

I did my best ever result in wheel last Saturday. The instructor, who is a friend of mine said it looked much more like wheel and less like a staple.

PurpleYogaMat · 10-09-2008, 07:44 AM

You made me laugh, JustinTime!

Thanks for the kind words, Louise.

And Mike, congrats! That's cool. I'm a big fan of the wheel pose and wonder whether I look like a staple or a wheel. Maybe I'll ask my teacher!

The name of the wheel pose confused me when I first started doing yoga because as a little girl I used to do something similar (as many little girls do), but we called it a "bridge." Now I've got it straight!

**Nichole** · 10-09-2008, 08:17 AM

Welcome to YogaForums.com Holly! I think you now hold the record for the number of posts added to an introduction thread.
I am glad that you are off to a great start!

Please, keep sharing and adding your fun voice to our community

PurpleYogaMat · 10-09-2008, 08:30 AM

Thank you very much, Nichole. This is turning out to be a good place for me for a couple of reasons. One, it's just nice to be here. There are lots of friendly people who are excited about yoga. And two, this is keeping me from gushing about yoga too much to my husband who is probably getting sick of hearing about it! lol
Cheers!

mikesbytes · 10-15-2008, 10:58 PM

So was it wheel or staple ?

louise molenkamp · 10-16-2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinTime

Some zeal is alright but too much turns people into zealots - definitely not a good thing in whatever system of belief/philosophy.

How long have you known? Relax your forehead.

thank you ver much for helping me crushing my ego
no fun to be with someone like me who is too serious about yoga
I am just about ready to trade love for peace also

namaste Louise

09-30-2008, 04:56 PM	#1
PurpleYogaMat trimshát Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 35	Hello! I'm excited to join this community of people who practice yoga. To explain a bit where I'm coming from, here's my yoga background. I took my first real yoga class at the gym six months ago and I've been hooked ever since. I generally do yoga about three times a week, but am always delighted when I can slip in an extra class. I love the focus that yoga gives me, and enjoy practicing those three wonderful skills: balance, strength and flexibility. My primary yoga instructor is AWESOME! She mixes up a variety of yoga styles and even what I believe are some martial arts based moves. Every class is different and every class is fun, satisfying, and physically challenging. I like yoga best when it's physically strenuous and makes me sweaty. Working my body helps to make me feel better and focus my mind. Ideally, someday I'd like to be able to do more headstand/handstand and crazy balance poses because hey, those are super cool! __________________ Happiness is a purple yoga mat!

10-01-2008, 07:56 AM	#3
PurpleYogaMat trimshát Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 35	Thanks! I appreciate the sentiment! __________________ Happiness is a purple yoga mat!

10-02-2008, 08:30 AM	#5
PurpleYogaMat trimshát Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 35	I'm in Boston, in the US. Besides yoga, I run for exercise (but don't really love that). Hobby-wise, I go on an occasional backpacking trip, like to dance, and just got back from a week long canoe trip in the boundary waters of Minnesota. And you? __________________ Happiness is a purple yoga mat!

10-03-2008, 08:15 AM	#8
PurpleYogaMat trimshát Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 35	I am definitely still working on that forehead thing! Your point is definitely a good one. I strive to do funky, "complicated" poses, but I am quite humble enough to know that I still need to work on the basics. I don't think I have perfect form at anything, but am always trying to get better! __________________ Happiness is a purple yoga mat!

10-03-2008, 05:24 PM	#10
PurpleYogaMat trimshát Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 35	I've always been more flexible than your average person, but I'm certainly not super flexible in yoga terms. Another long term goal I have is to be able to do a split. That's not a yoga goal per se, but is another cool thing I'd like to be able to do. __________________ Happiness is a purple yoga mat!

09-30-2008, 09:45 PM	#2
David Observer Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 206	Greetings and welcome to the forums. I look forward to talking yoga with you

10-01-2008, 07:59 PM	#4
mikesbytes pañcaashát Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 57	Hi PurpleYogaMat, You sound similar to me. Do you do anything else in addition to the yoga? What country do you live in? Cheers Mike.

10-02-2008, 08:34 AM	#6
mikesbytes pañcaashát Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 57	Cycling and weights I live in Sydney, Australia

10-03-2008, 02:09 PM	#9
mikesbytes pañcaashát Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 57	Hows your flexibility?

10-04-2008, 12:24 AM	#11
mikesbytes pañcaashát Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 57	Yeh cool things, I'm with you on that. I've been doing yoga for 4 years. In the beginning I was super unflexible, but after 4 years I have quite good flexibility, which also helps with the bicycle racing as I can get in to more aerodynamic positions. Splits... I'm a way of that, perhaps one day. Had another go at headstands this morning, I can do them against a wall. I guess with practice I'll be able to do them in the middle of the room one day.

10-06-2008, 08:43 AM	#13
PurpleYogaMat trimshát Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 35	As much as I like the more complicated poses, I don't actually spend much time practicing many of them because I'm not quite ready yet. I respect that and so I practice easier stuff that will eventually lead to harder stuff. That does not mean, however, that i can't find them to be cool in theory! Relaxing your forehead, while a useful skill for relaxation, focus, etc. etc., just doesn't hold the same thrill for me. You could argue that yoga was not intended to be about "thrill," but I can still enjoy it from my own perspective on things. Cheers. __________________ Happiness is a purple yoga mat!

10-06-2008, 08:46 AM	#14
PurpleYogaMat trimshát Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 35	Mike, That's cool about the headstands. I've been focusing on crow/crane poses to build up some balance and especially arm strength as it's one of my weaknesses. I run on a regular basis, so my legs are my stronger area. __________________ Happiness is a purple yoga mat!

10-06-2008, 12:05 PM	#16
PurpleYogaMat trimshát Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 35	Don't be sorry, louise! You definitely make an important and valid point with the forehead example. I'm just suggesting that even if one hasn't mastered it yet (or doesn't want to...For the record, it is on my list of things to practice!), there are other fun yoga poses, concepts, purple mats that you can enjoy! Thanks for the continuing dialogue! __________________ Happiness is a purple yoga mat!

10-07-2008, 07:24 AM	#18
PurpleYogaMat trimshát Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 35	That all makes sense to me, Mike (even though, as you said, there are obviously exceptions to the rules). __________________ Happiness is a purple yoga mat!

10-09-2008, 12:00 AM	#21
mikesbytes pañcaashát Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 57	I did my best ever result in wheel last Saturday. The instructor, who is a friend of mine said it looked much more like wheel and less like a staple.

10-09-2008, 07:44 AM	#22
PurpleYogaMat trimshát Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 35	You made me laugh, JustinTime! Thanks for the kind words, Louise. And Mike, congrats! That's cool. I'm a big fan of the wheel pose and wonder whether I look like a staple or a wheel. Maybe I'll ask my teacher! The name of the wheel pose confused me when I first started doing yoga because as a little girl I used to do something similar (as many little girls do), but we called it a "bridge." Now I've got it straight! __________________ Happiness is a purple yoga mat!

10-09-2008, 08:17 AM	#23
Nichole SYT Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Boulder, Colorado Posts: 816	Welcome to YogaForums.com Holly! I think you now hold the record for the number of posts added to an introduction thread. I am glad that you are off to a great start! Please, keep sharing and adding your fun voice to our community __________________ Nichole Nurenberg-Miller Structural and Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist • RYT500 www.FiveKoshaYogaTherapy.com

10-09-2008, 08:30 AM	#24
PurpleYogaMat trimshát Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 35	Thank you very much, Nichole. This is turning out to be a good place for me for a couple of reasons. One, it's just nice to be here. There are lots of friendly people who are excited about yoga. And two, this is keeping me from gushing about yoga too much to my husband who is probably getting sick of hearing about it! lol Cheers! __________________ Happiness is a purple yoga mat!

10-15-2008, 10:58 PM	#25
mikesbytes pañcaashát Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 57	So was it wheel or staple ?