Hey loves. 
So this morning I was scheduled for Yoga X. I used to love yoga, and I love incorporating different yoga moves into my stretches, so I was really looking forward to Yoga X this morning!
Problem: Yoga made me soooo angry. It was really weird, and I can’t figure out what it was! I think it may have been several factors. I think I was in a mood to keep up my fast and heavy kick-butt workouts that I’ve been doing, and Yoga X was just sooooo slow and repetitive. Plus, I’m not nearly as flexible as I could be, so I think the frustration there was another anger contributor. Also, I found out my yoga mat and sweat do not mix. Going into a simple reverse warrior my slipping around finally ended in me falling on my butt and wrist. At this point I just wanted to throw a rock at the television, so I stopped it (after a half hour) and did the Cardio X dvd to finish my workout.
So, yogis – help! What can I do to not hate it and get so angry over it? Has yoga ever made you incredibly angry? Do you think it was just the dvd or do I just have issues? (Well, we all know I have issues, but you know what I mean. 
) I hope it goes better next week!
Breakfast was some cereal and unsweetened almond milk.
I’m not sure what all my lunch/ afternoon eats will be, but it’s definitely going to include leftover spaghetti squash and tempeh marinara from last night!
Catch you later, I’ve gotta boogy to work!
Has yoga ever made you angry?
Oooh. Definitely a good thing you stopped. I can’t say it’s ever made me angry, but sometimes, especially at home, I just don’t want to do it. Sometimes all it takes is a nice class at a nice studio to get back in the groove. When I do it at home I find I prefer just voices and no visuals of the people.
I think it is completely normal to feel a wide range of emotions on the mat as yoga, at least to me, is a direct reflection of life. For me, it helps to have a place to express those emotions. I wrote a post about it here:
http://www.honormyhealth.com/2009/11/04/anger-on-the-mat/
Anyway, I think the frustration with the sweat was probably a contributing factor and would say to get a yoga towel to solve that problem. Also, I don’t know anything about yoga x but think that if you like hardcore workouts, maybe give power yoga (Dave Farmar, Baron Baptiste) a try.
I definitely have experienced this. When I practice at home, I make sure to be in a secluded room (no husband or dog) and sit down on my mat for a few minutes before starting – helps get me focused on yoga and what my intention is for the practice. If you get serious about yoga – yogitoes – is a towel that helps prevent slipping. It’s kind of pricey though so not worth investing in unless you will practice often. You can try chalk on your feet and hands to help slipping as well.
I am too ADD for Yoga. I try to do then get frustrated at how slow it is and stop. I keep doing it because I know it’s good for me, but I completely understand!
I am not a yogi by any means, but I do have experience with Yoga X and I find it to be very frustrating. For me, I think it comes from the workout being really challenging and difficult. I get frustrated when I can’t do certain moves, and the repetition is also annoying at times. The P90X stretch dvd has a bit of yoga in it, but not as many downward dogs like the yoga one does. Maybe you could substitute this for your yoga days?
I am still rather new to yoga, and haven’t been able to really find a passion for it yet. I haven’t gotten angry while doing yoga, but I have gotten frustrated. A combination of not feeling like I am doing the moves correctly, as well as not fully being able to get in to the mindset that people talk about.
I am interested to see what others will say. Enjoy your day!
heya Lindsey
i absolutely adore yoga and am actually going to start training to be a yoga teacher, even though i’m still in high school. even though i love it, i know how you feel. usually yoga calms me down, but i’ve had my days where i’ve been frustrated or distracted because the flow wasn’t what i wanted. all i can say is not to give up. i would recommend creating your own flow for a few days or simply taking a little break. sometimes all it takes it a fresh look.
also, for the sweat problem, i would recommend buying a yoga towel. i use one made by yogi toes and it works perfectly for all of the hot flows i do (i do vinyasa yoga in a 90* room usually). simply place it on your mat and put a little water near the edges while smoothing it out so that it sticks and you don’t slide before you get sweaty.
i hope that helps! if you have any other questions or just want to talk, i’d love to chat
have a lovely day!
xox
Hey Lindsey,
First up, I’m new to your blog and ADORE it. I’m on the other side of the world to you, practically, but if you’re ever in New Zealand I’ll show you around!
About the yoga: I’ve been practicing for a few years and have some REALLY angry sessions, even after all this time, because yoga can bring out emotions, especially those you’ve been trying to ignore. Well, thats how it happens for me, anyway. It’s very carthartic and a good thing, so I would just keep at it and you’ll be rewarded with some zen! (I do astanga/power yoga, so i assume it’s similar to what you’re doing for this challenge)
Kate
breathe, breathe, breathe. I always roll up a bath towel and put it at the top of my mat as well to help prevent slippage. It works!!! [that, and I don't have the money for a yogitoes!]
I am a generally impatient, quick moving, type A+ person and at first I found yoga so hard because of this, I got annoyed with it so easily! I found doing the hour+ online classes too much for me. Using podcasts and pose guides instead has worked out so much better, as well as doing 25-30 minute flows. I also find the faster moving ones more enjoyable such as power yoga, core yoga, and vinyasa!
I get frustrated when I don’t feel like I’m flexible enough to do the poses correctly. I remind myself to calm down, relax and do my best. That usually helps at least somewhat. My one rule is never to stop in the middle. I’ve found that if I keep going I’m usually a little less frustrated at the end and proud of myself for finishing.
I totally agree! My husband and I have also started P90X (a time or two), but I always get hung up on the YogaX workout! All the other ones I love, even if they kick my butt, but I absolutely dread doing YogaX. I also get really angry during it, and fussy. It does get better at about 40 minutes in, I think. Not so much of the crazy series, and more into stretching moves. But still – glad to know I’m not the only one!
Yoga hasn’t necessarily ever made me *angry,* but there have definitely been times where I thought “why the heck am I doing this I could be burning so many more calories on the treadmill this is stupid and I don’t want to pose like a freakin’ tree.” LOL. Love me some run-ons
My point is I definitely know where your frustration is coming from. But I think that’s one of the great things about yoga. It forces us to overcome those thoughts and just relax and *be*. Yoga, in it’s purest sense, is a form of breathing and settling one’s self. So maybe doing yoga and forcing yourself to get through that anger is a good thing? Or maybe I’m just being too philosophical, hehe =)
If I am not in the right mindset for yoga, I get all out of sorts too! Seriously, if I feel rushed or like I don’t have the energy mentally to give to yoga, I can’t ever get into it.
I feel ya girl!
Thats so cool that you started P90X, our whole family has been doing it for about 3 weeks now. It is a really cool program! Today we all did the YOGAX together, and we turn ours into a hot yoga session, with space heaters, and the fire.
XOXO Court and Whit
http://www.twutritionist.blogspot.com
I never liked the Yoga X either! I haven’t done it in about a year, but I just remember feeling so bored and feeling like it was so repetitive. I don’t have much advice to offer, but just wanted to say I understand! Good for you for putting on the Cardio X and not quitting a workout! Maybe try lighting some candles, shutting the lights off, and putting on relaxing music.
I found(at Publix nonetheless) toes-y socks with the tip of the toes cut off with a gripper on the bottom. Haven’t tried them yet but I think they will help. I don’t get angry, but I sometimes can get frustrated when the people around me in class can do it and my balance is off. You must breathe and focus on each move! Sometimes it’s freaking hard(like yesterday) but instead of getting angry, I LOVE IT! It’s challenging me to grow and while it’s hard and I had moments where I was even scared because I wasn’t getting it. It’s worth it in the end. Hope it doesn’t make you angry next time!
im actually mid-post right now about my very first yoga class – i made my way through a wealth of emotions – one of them was DEF. anger!
(also – i am so far behind on blog reading but have some time today – i have NINE of your posts open in tabs on IE right now – expect lots of comments
)
A lot of people don’t like that DVD. Check out Power Yoga for Happiness, it is very similar workout-wise to YogaX but not gym style. http://www.amazon.com/Power-Yoga-for-Happiness/dp/B00013A0GK
Also, there are the these special no slip towels that you can get for your mat, they are expensive but probably just what you need. You don’t want to slip and hurt yourself! http://www.amazon.com/Turquoise-Yogitoes-Skidless-hBand-Absolute/dp/B001H8CTWG/ref=sr_1_47?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1265993112&sr=8-47
That first pic makes me want cereal! So yummy. So I don’t think I can full on give up sugar for Lent, but I’m thinking cereal.
[...] Yogis, Help! [...]
Hey girlie- it’s totally normal!
This is the only yoga I do regularly and I definitely was the same way when I started. You will get less angry and much more flexible very quickly. I also, like Whit, keep a towel very close nearby- I too sweat like crazy! I at times will even flip my mat around or even turn it over. I hope these tips help!
Keep working hard
~Christie