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I know this isn't the biggest accomplishment in the world, but I've been doing yoga for about 6 months now as part of my fitness routine and this morning I finally got the courage (and instruction) to accomplish my first headstand. It was a small class on Sunday morning, so the instructor was able to actually give you tips, and when she told me to make an adjustment it was like magic. Up I went, and there I stayed. Completely balanced. I kept doing it over and over, and was amazed at myself. A couple in the class worked on a handstand, but I decided to not even try that yet and just end on a positive note.

I can do this one here, that felt pretty good first time I managed that. Crane pose:

http://www.yogaglo.com/poses.php

Next is a handstand, 6 months ago I would have said none of these things would be possible and now I pretty much know I'll eventually get it.

When I started I remember my first class, I walked in and everyone was getting setup and just sitting there indian style with their eyes closed and in a zen like trance. I thought "cool", and got into an indian seated pose and tried to get into my zen state, and within 10 seconds started cramping up like a mother [expletive]. I couldn't even sit without hurting myself. Now I'm doing all sorts of crazy [expletive] I never thought I could do.

Yoga is awesome. You should try it.

Definite agreement Jim. My back went out last november. I spent a couple months in misery before going to the Dr., he said herniated disc and the beginning of spurs. He kept prescribing me pills that would leave me looped out til noon, but the pain was still there. I couldn't even pick my baby daughter up. I started up yoga, DDPYoga specifically, and man, I can't believe the difference. I'm not quite standing on my head yet, but I'm more flexible than I ever remember being and actually stronger than when I used to lift weights.

Didn't see a headstand in that link, jim.

No that was the crane thing I learned to do earlier.

Here is a yoga headstand:

http://www.wikihow.com/Perform-a-Headstand-(Yoga)

Call me when you do a headspin.

...no seriously, my bboy crew could use you.

Numbers wrote:Definite agreement Jim. My back went out last november. I spent a couple months in misery before going to the Dr., he said herniated disc and the beginning of spurs. He kept prescribing me pills that would leave me looped out til noon, but the pain was still there. I couldn't even pick my baby daughter up. I started up yoga, DDPYoga specifically, and man, I can't believe the difference. I'm not quite standing on my head yet, but I'm more flexible than I ever remember being and actually stronger than when I used to lift weights.

Depending on the class (sport, vinyasa etc...) and teacher it can be a great strength workout. I do it for the flexibility, the first thing I noticed when I started doing it of all things is I sleep better. I wake in the middle of the night a lot and can't get back to sleep because I can't get comfortable, the added flexibility has helped with that. I don't get that knife in the back feeling in the middle of the night.

I don't care how old you are or what kind of shape you are in, yoga can be a benefit. Everyone thinks it's a bunch of young little things twisting and turning all which ways, and that's not necessarily true. All types of people benefit. And the side benefit is there are a bunch of young little things twisting and turning all which ways. Not going to lie, that's a benefit.

Numbers wrote:DDPYoga specifically, and man, I can't believe the difference.

I've been thinking about trying DDP Yoga to help with some back and neck issues. Good to hear (from someone that isn't getting paid for it) that it works.

As a fat guy I didn't get how yoga would help me but a month in its been pretty great. I'm having some back trouble lately though and it's slowed me down. Still a lot of things are a lot easier then they were a month ago.

Awesome jim! My wife has actually been doing yoga for about 3-4 months now that her foot is to a point that she can do it w/o serious pain. I intend on joining her once my baseball season wraps up in the next 2 to 3 weeks & do it over the winter.