52 Year Old Unmarried Seeking Yoga, Career, Finance Advice After Break

Ans: Staying young is a state of mind as well as an outcome of a healthy routine for the body - both exercise and diet. If you follow a diet suitable to your digestive system and keep physically active your body will remain healthy and hearty. If you are a beginner, then start with morning walks and gradually easy Yogasanas under a certified trainer. If you have been doing any form of exercise, you can incorporate Surya Namaskar into your routine, starting with 4-5 rounds and going up to 11 rounds daily.

Ans: How old are you?

Ans: It's inspiring that you want to start yoga, even with your health concerns. Given your age, history of spondylosis, and past umbilical hernia repair, it's crucial to take a gentle and mindful approach to ensure you practice safely.

Steps to Start Yoga:
1. Consult Your Doctor First
Before beginning yoga, it's important to consult with your healthcare provider, especially considering your spondylosis and previous hernia surgery. Once you get the go-ahead, you can gradually incorporate yoga into your routine.

2. Begin with Gentle Movements
Given your condition, avoid intense poses. Start with slow, mindful movements to gently stretch and strengthen your muscles, especially around your spine and core.

Suggested Asanas:
1. Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana)
This pose is excellent for gently mobilizing the spine, relieving stiffness due to spondylosis. Move slowly between Cat and Cow to avoid strain.

2. Child’s Pose (Balasana)
This restorative pose helps release tension in the back and hips. It's gentle on the spine and can offer relief from back discomfort without exerting pressure on your hernia repair.

3. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)
This pose strengthens your core and lower back while being gentle on your spine. Make sure to start with smaller lifts, focusing on controlled movements.

4. Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Bound Angle Pose)
This restorative pose helps stretch the inner thighs and lower back. It’s gentle and doesn’t put pressure on your abdomen, making it suitable after a past hernia repair.

5. Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
A simple standing pose, Tadasana helps improve posture and balance without putting strain on your spine or abdomen. It’s a great foundational pose to build body awareness.

6. Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)
If you can bend forward without discomfort, this pose can gently stretch your back and hamstrings. Avoid forcing the stretch, and if you feel any discomfort in the spine or abdomen, stop.

Breathing and Relaxation:
1. Diaphragmatic Breathing
Focus on deep, diaphragmatic breathing to enhance relaxation and core stability. This can help you reconnect with your breath and gently tone your abdominal area without straining the hernia repair site.

2. Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
This pranayama practice helps balance the nervous system, reduces stress, and promotes overall wellness. It's a good starting point to ease your body into a mindful practice.

Additional Tips:
Avoid forward bends: Deep forward bends may put pressure on your hernia site and strain the spine.
No intense twists: Avoid deep spinal twists, which may aggravate your spondylosis.
Listen to your body: Start slow and be mindful of any discomfort. It’s important to stop immediately if you feel any strain, especially around your abdomen or spine.
Restorative Yoga:
Incorporating restorative yoga poses with the help of props (bolsters, cushions) will allow you to gently stretch and relax without pushing your body. These poses focus on healing and can be especially beneficial for you.

Practice Duration:
Begin with 10-15 minutes of gentle practice, gradually building up to 30 minutes. Consistency is more important than duration, so practicing daily will yield better results than long, sporadic sessions.

With patience, mindful movement, and regular practice, yoga can help alleviate some of your discomforts and improve flexibility, balance, and overall well-being. You can always explore yoga with a certified instructor who understands your specific health concerns to ensure you're practicing safely.

Wishing you a peaceful and safe yoga journey!

R. Pushpa, M.Sc (Yoga)
Online Yoga & Meditation Coach
Radiant YogaVibes
https://www.instagram.com/pushpa_radiantyogavibes/

Ans: Namaste! It's wonderful that you're considering returning to yoga. After a four-year break, it's completely natural to feel uncertain, but the good news is that yoga is always there for you, no matter how long the gap has been.

Here are some steps to ease back into your practice:

Start with gentle movements: Don’t rush into advanced poses. Begin with basic stretches, simple asanas like Cat-Cow (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana), Child’s Pose (Balasana), or Mountain Pose (Tadasana). These will help you reconnect with your body.

Focus on breath: Reintroduce yourself to pranayama (breathwork). Practicing deep breathing exercises like Diaphragmatic Breathing or Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing) can help you center your mind and bring mindfulness back to your practice.

Listen to your body: Avoid pushing yourself into postures that feel uncomfortable. With time, your strength and flexibility will return. It's important to honor where you are now rather than where you used to be.

Set a regular routine: Start with short, manageable sessions, even 15-20 minutes a day. The consistency is more important than the duration, and gradually you can build from there.

Consider guided sessions: Since you’ve had a break, it might help to follow guided yoga or meditation classes online. This will offer structure and support as you rebuild your practice.

Stay patient and mindful: It's easy to get frustrated, but yoga is a journey of self-discovery. Be kind to yourself as you progress.

Reconnecting with yoga can be incredibly fulfilling. You're already on the right path by simply having the intention to start again!

R. Pushpa, M.Sc (Yoga)
Online Yoga & Meditation Coach
Radiant YogaVibes
https://www.instagram.com/pushpa_radiantyogavibes/

Ans: Starting yoga is a wonderful step to improve your health, especially when dealing with cancer and mobility challenges. Yoga can help you build strength, improve flexibility, and reduce stress. However, because of your condition, it’s essential to approach yoga carefully and safely.

As a beginner, I recommend starting with simple seated or lying-down poses like Sukhasana (Easy Pose), Balasana (Child’s Pose), and Shavasana (Relaxation Pose). Breathing exercises like Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing) can also help improve energy levels and calm your mind.

Since you have health complications, it’s best to learn yoga under the guidance of an experienced yoga coach. A coach will guide you on which poses are safe and beneficial for your condition. Practicing alone without proper instructions may lead to strain or injury.

Yoga is not just exercise; it’s a journey towards better physical and mental health. Start slowly, listen to your body, and take one step at a time. You will gradually notice improvements in your strength and confidence.

If you need guidance, I’m here to help you start your yoga journey safely.

R. Pushpa, M.Sc (Yoga)
Online Yoga & Meditation Coach
Radiant YogaVibes
https://www.instagram.com/pushpa_radiantyogavibes/