I am 48 and in fairly good shape.  I stay active by walking.  I have always been interested in yoga and pilates.  I practiced some yoga in my early twentys.  I recently got the balance ball and DVDs.  Does anyone have any suggestions about getting started?  I am also curious if anyone is new to this and would like to get together with other newbies and share our experiences?

Thanks,

mzivy

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On Jan 31, 2008 5:06:21 PM mzivy wrote:

I am 48 and in fairly good shape. I stay active by walking. I have always been interested in yoga and pilates. I practiced some yoga in my early twentys. I recently got the balance ball and DVDs. Does anyone have any suggestions about getting started? I am also curious if anyone is new to this and would like to get together with other newbies and share our experiences?

Thanks,

mzivy

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GranolaJoe-thanks for your response.

I never thought about posting on Craigslist.  Great idea!  May I ask how long you have in Oriagmi  method.

Where did you find the information on  the AB crunches.

Do you set aside  time concentrate on the yogi/pilate/breathing exercises?

How much time do you practice and how often?

NY

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On Feb 1, 2008 5:47:43 PM mzivy wrote:

GranolaJoe-thanks for your response.

I never thought about posting on Craigslist. Great idea! May I ask how long you have in Oriagmi method.

Where did you find the information on the AB crunches.

Do you set aside time concentrate on the yogi/pilate/breathing exercises?

How much time do you practice and how often?

NY

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I recently purchased the oraima banceball and accompanying stretch rope.  The package came tih 2 DVD's  - I am not sure which one to start with first - as there were no instructions.

One is called total boady/challenge Balanceball and the other is call Balanceball bonus workout (2).  I would assume that I would start out with the first DVD.

Has anyone recently purchase this package?

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to start or how.   I do moderate exercising - walking, etc.

Does anyone have any advice where or how to begin?

Thanks,

mzivy

P.S. thanks for your comment Granola Joe

Lori, Hello!

I have just started with the lower body exercises.  i thought I was doing fine but the next day I realized I had overdone it.  I never imagined that bouncing on a ball (as part of the exercises) would put such a strain on my legs.  I am just starting to work on my abs.  But I am taking it more slowly.  Also right now I have an old injury from a car wreck messing with my upper back so I am a little hesitant to work on my upper body.  i wanted to actually take pilate classes but it is too far from me.  And after talking with the instructor ( I am talking the cheap classes) I realized that it would not be much different than this GAIAM system.  Let me know how you are progressing.  Thank you for responding.

mzivy

Hello Mzivy!

I tried the ball again yesterday and just concentrated on a few exercies for the abs instead of doing the entire DVD.  I am 41 and had a baby 4 months ago, so my abs are just weak right now.  As they get stronger, I will add more to the routine until I can keep up with the DVD!  I have had many knee surgeries, so like you with your back, have to take certain things slowly.

Good luck with your work out!

Lori,  Keep up with it girl.  No wonder you are sore - You just had a baby!  Was it a girl or boy and how much does he/or she weigh?  You will definetly need to take this slowly. I admire your dedication and perserverance.  i only had one son ( my husband died when he was young) but he is now in college.

When are you finding time for the exercises.  I guess at nap time.  So keep up with it.  I have a feeling that these exercises will get back in shape more quickly than you realize.  They involve so many muscles!

Keep up the good work!  I enjoy hearing from you.  Thanks,

mzivy

Hello!

Yes, I am surprised I had a baby at my age. I have a 4 year old son too and he has autism so I have very little time to workout.  Already in a week or so, I feel stronger.  I think I'll try the DVD workout in another few weeks.  I can only workout at night too when they are asleep!

It is nice chatting with you too!  What area do you live in?  I am in California!

Take care,

Lori

It is nice chatting with you also Lori!  I guess we are considered newbies - but hey you have to start somewhere.

I have had a very busy schedule this week - so I mainly have been taking short walks and instead of actual doing the dvd workouts - I mainly focusing on stretching different musles - including using the the ball.  I did find out I had done too much to early.

You certainly do have your hands full.  Is your older son going to any schooling, etc.  What is his name.  In fact - what are both your kids' names if you don't mind me asking.  My son's name is Chase.

After my husband died - my son and I went to live in Mexico and Guatemala - spent some time in Honduras also.  I kept him enrolled in schools there.  And I taught some myself.  However when we returned to the US - he spoke little English.  We moved to the Texas hill county (outside of Austin).

Anyway - it took a while to get him up to speed in classes.  However - he loved soccer. And there was a wonderful family out here - the dad was the coach - that organized a soccer team of the so called misfits.  Their son had autism.  I learned so much from them.  They were so wonderful and patient with their son - he was also on the soccer team - although his attention span would be limited at times.

But at the end of High School - that same team  that started in grade school (later 2 years in a row) came in 2nd place in the tri-state tournments.

Their son Jacob is now working on getting his driver's license.  It is truly amazing.  And I also will be forever greatful to them for accepting my son - who spoke little English at the time.  It is always amazing how wonderful the unexpected can turn into the greatest gifts.

Maybe I have talked to much.  I am an English major and everyone kids me - that if I am asked a question - I will respond with a novel!  Just kidding!

Anyway - if I have written or whatever too much just let me know.  I won't be offended.  I still live in the Texas Hill county (beautiful countryside) just south of Austin.

What part of California do you live in?

I wish I lived near an ocean.  Hopefully I will someday.

Thanks for responding - nice chatting with you!

mzivy

So sorry for the delay in writing!  It has been busy with the kids.  It is funny you live in Texas because that is where I grew up (in El Paso). My husband and were also in the process of adopting from Guatemala too!

It is nice to hear your son had some wonderful friends and his soccer team while growing up. That is so important.

JD is the 4-year-old. He is in very speialized therapy for autism at both a school and in home. He is in therapy/school for about 30 hours a week too!  It keeps us busy.  The baby is named Rawley and is a good boy so far!

I work parttime from home which is tough some days, but nice that I can work from home too.

I am enjoyig the balance ball too!  I am still just uding it for exercises in the evening. That's about all I can fit into the day right now.  Hoping for more soon!

Hope you are doing well.

Lori