Should yoga hurt?

I just had a yoga lesson and most of the things my teacher made me do I found painful is that normal or not? I’m very new this was only my second lesson.

Reply 1

Reality Check

22

Original post by jonathanemptage

I just had a yoga lesson and most of the things my teacher made me do I found painful is that normal or not? I’m very new this was only my second lesson.

There was actually a story about this on the BBC very recently regarding yoga teachers pushing things too far and doing a lot of musculoskeletal damage. I'll see if I can find it for you.

The short answer is 'no' - yoga should definitely not 'hurt'. You should only go so far as your current range of motion allows. Feeling a 'stretch' is fine; feeling 'pain' is a sign to stop and ease off the movement a bit. Don't 'compete' with other members of the group; go at your pace, not other people's

Reply 2

Reality Check

22

Found it:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-50181155

Original post by Reality Check

The short answer is 'no' - yoga should definitely not 'hurt'. You should only go so far as your current range of motion allows. Feeling a 'stretch' is fine; feeling 'pain' is a sign to stop and ease off the movement a bit. Don't 'compete' with other members of the group; go at your pace, not other people's

Yeah, I always get this advice, haha. The thing is, I never get the difference? Wtf is a "stretch" meant to feel like? 😂 I'm quite flexible but when I first do a certain "move"(not necessarily a yoga one) I'm definitely feel something, not sure if it's pain.😂

Sorry for the rant :laugh:

Reply 4

londonmyst

19

I don't know if yoga should hurt but for the first few sessions it certainly seems to.
Going by personal experience, talking to yoga instructors and friends who enjoy yoga.
One session of bikram yoga was more than enough for me, left me feeling horrendous for days.

Reply 5

Reality Check

22

Original post by Obolinda

Yeah, I always get this advice, haha. The thing is, I never get the difference? Wtf is a "stretch" meant to feel like? 😂 I'm quite flexible but when I first do a certain "move"(not necessarily a yoga one) I'm definitely feel something, not sure if it's pain.😂

Sorry for the rant :laugh:

Go to pick something off a high shelf you can't reach - that's a stretch. Or maybe sit on the floor and reach for something with straight legs that you can't quite get at. Again - a stretch.

Pain is sharper and more intense. I think any feeling that becomes more than slightly uncomfortable should be a sign to ease off. I take your point though - there's a blurring between a deep stretch and slight pain. You've just got to get used to what your body feels like, I guess.

Reply 6

Bang Outta Order

20

Original post by londonmyst

I don't know if yoga should hurt but for the first few sessions it certainly seems to.
Going by personal experience, talking to yoga instructors and friends who enjoy yoga.
One session of bikram yoga was more than enough for me, left me feeling horrendous for days.

I felt like boiled sausage

Never went back again, was just trying to keep an open mind to spend QT with a cutie if you get me lol I'm more of a high intensity cardio guy for a workout, than yoga.

Reply 7

username4986690

19

Pain not the outcome you are looking for, just gradual stretching.

Reply 8

gjd800

20

If you are doing it with a Yogi up a mountain in India, yes

Anywhere else, no

Reply 9

jonathanemptage

OP

21

It's weird because the first session was fine should I mention it to the instructor if i find it's causing me pain?

Reply 10

gjd800

20

Original post by londonmyst

I don't know if yoga should hurt but for the first few sessions it certainly seems to.
Going by personal experience, talking to yoga instructors and friends who enjoy yoga.
One session of bikram yoga was more than enough for me, left me feeling horrendous for days.

My PhD supervisor once regaled me with a tale of his trying yoga with a Brahmin yogi on a visit to India, and it leaving him asleep for 20 hours and in pain for a week

He did not attempt it again :laugh:

Next day - yes, it's normal at first.

During - no. If it hurts adjust your position. eg put your feet closer together; don't reach out/over as far; etc.