Yoga, Overcoming Barriers & Myths

Bob Crowther identifies some barriers and myths that are often cited about yoga and encourages males and females of all ages to become more receptive to taking the first steps to improve their health.

Being physically active and eating well are two known practices responsible for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Nutrition Is Essential To Good Health
A Safe, Gentle Form of Yoga Can Also Enhance Your Health

My yoga practice and instruction of individuals have been informed by the many open yoga classes and partner sessions i have attended for over 50 months.

The age of individuals attending our yoga classes range from the teens into the 70's: males and females with different body types and dealing various health issues that impact their ability to move.

Our yoga community demonstrates how engaging in the physical activities that define the type of yoga we do can provide many benefits and be fun.

Despite the positive experiences i and my yoga colleagues have enjoyed, many individuals of both genders remain resistance to yoga - to reverse a sedentary lifestyle and to begin moving their bodies.

I identify some of the reasons males and females have cited for not taking the first steps to help themselves below. 
 

Perceived Obstacles

Yoga Is A Religion - the yoga i do is a physical activity based on the tradition of Yoga Master B. K. S. Iyengar and is not a religion: opportunities to meditate, calm your mind and breathing is a component of our yoga practice

Age - participating in a yoga class can be done at any age, gently and safely, within your abilities: yoga can be done by teens and seniors without injury

Gender - our yoga is not just for females: i am a good example that a male in his 60's can and continues to benefit from the whole body movements that defines my yoga practice 

Body Types - thin or heavy, tall or short, with or without muscle tone: males and females can start to do yoga slowly, within their abilities ... with good, patient and compassionate instruction that may use various props, enjoy learning how to move your body safely 

Bob Has Overcome Physical Issues
Through His Yoga Practice

No Experience -  you do not have to have be an athlete or familiar with yoga to participate in a yoga class: i started with no previous experience, limited abilities and was made comfortable, encouraged by our instructor

No, Limited Flexibility - your range of motion (muscles, joints) can be slowly modified if you begin to move your body gently and within your limits: yoga done on a regular basis (holding your body in specific postures) will likely facilitate your daily movements 

Pain Reflecting A Health Symptom(s) - yoga can be done safely by individuals experiencing muscle, joint pains including arthritis and other conditions - i, others have reduced pain(s) through our yoga practice and without medications

Medical Conditions - among others, having experienced a heart attack or dealing with diabetes, arthritis, balance and breathing issues does not mean you can not start doing yoga - with your doctor's input and my assessment, guided instruction and coaching, doing yoga can improve your overall health, fitness

Contact

Bob Crowther

bob@bobcrowther.com

774-272-5760

Bob  has instructed males and females having various combinations of the perceived obstacles listed above.

All have benefited from Bob's gentle and safe instruction of selected yoga body movements using various props (chair, blocks, strap, blanket, others) to focus on their needs.

Bob will help you focus on specific health symptoms to enhance your mobility and reduce your pain.

#YogaMyths #YogaBarriers #YogaWithMales #YogaWithFemales #Yoga WithBobCrowther

Yoga, Obesity And Nutrition

Bob Crowther  notes obesity does not have to be a barrier for males and females to practice the gentle form of yoga he instructs - this type of non-impact physical activity along with walking and better nutrition choices can result in weight loss.

Bob In His 60's
 In
 Plow Pose Variation
Yoga, Nutrition Contributes To Good Health

Obesity Recognized As A Disease

Only recently, during June, 2013, did the The American Medical Association (AMA) classify obesity as a disease - an action that may help promote further research and education of the public to reduce the impact attributed to excessive weight on the heart, lungs, joints and a myriad of metabolic problems including diabetes. 

By making this announcement , the AMA has recognized obesity as a problem that has both genetic and environmental components even though the definitive cause and effect data remains to be further clarified and elucidated.

Primary care physicians and medical specialists (including endocrinologists, gastroenterologists) have been investigating and reporting on the consequences of multiple factors contributing to the alarming increase in weight seen in our youth and adults. 

Diverse Research Studies
Include
Exploring Mechanisms, Regulation Of Weight Gain

Book On Obesity

One publication that has received attention was published in 2012 by Dr. Robert H. Lustig.

FAT Chance, Beating the Odds Against SUGAR, PROCESSED FOOD, OBESITY, and DISEASE, presents a detailed account of the scope and challenges the AMA and other health care organizations are confronted with to alter the alarming increase in weight throughout our population. 

He is critical of the notion "a calorie is a calorie" and provides details about the negative impact, consequences from the excessive consumption of sugar (specifically fructose) in processed foods and the importance of making good nutrition choices including fiber consumption.

Changing behavior and attitudes among other factors are required along with nutrition modification and appropriate physical activity to help individuals reduce their weight.

Contact 

Bob Crowther

bob@bobcrowther.com

774-272-5760

Bob can share his experiences instructing yoga with a client diagnosed with diabetes - as he noted briefly in an earlier blog post about diabetes. 

Basic yoga postures were modified by Bob and props used to slowly and gently enable this individual to acquire increased strength, balance and flexibility over many months before beginning the Why WAIT? program offered at the Joslin Diabetes Center (JDC). 

Yoga and walking complemented activities at the JDC and contributed to a significant loss of weight with a renewed vigor and independence of movement.

Our walking began slowly - we had to address breathing and balance issues as well. 

Let Bob help you to approach your weight, other health symptoms though his customized yoga instruction, coaching.

Realize your short and long term goals with Bob's guidance.

Read Bob's story: address your specific needs.

Future postings from Bob will comment further on obesity being "a marker for chronic metabolic diseases" known as Metabolic Syndrome. 

 #Yoga And Obesity #Yoga And Nutrition  #Yoga And Health Symptoms # Yoga With Males #Yoga with Females  #Yoga With Bob Crowther