stretch!

August 20, 2010 1:34 PM

My ideal resource would be some sort of book or DVD akin to "Gentle Stretching for Old Fat People". Any recommendations?

In my mid-thirties, a bit overweight, and just feeling like my body is starting to crap out a bit on me - lack of flexibility and lots of nagging aches and pains that feel like they are showing up with aging and also exacerbated by the fact that I don't do any sort of stretching. Back in the day I went to a great stretch class at my gym and I didn't have any aches for a couple of years. I'd like to find a book or DVD to guide me in something similar that I can do at home. I guess yoga-ish things might also be useful, but I've never done any yoga in my life before, and have the impression that at least initially one should go to a class. Thoughts?
(have seen this thread, but thought given the expanded userbase now I might get some more insight)

posted by gaspode to health & fitness (6 answers total)

Probably at Kelly Bliss's site.
posted by ferociouskitty at 1:38 PM on August 20, 2010

You can probably find lots of good suggestions on this more recent AskMe thread.
posted by DrGail at 1:43 PM on August 20, 2010 [1 favorite]

I think you would really enjoy some gentle yoga, and I don't think it's necessary to go to a class beforehand if you get a good quality DVD. The key words you want to look for are gentle (duh!), restorative or prenatal. I know you're probably not actually prenatal, but those are really great for seniors, the injured, the out-of-shape etc, because they place such high emphasis on safety, gentle movement, etc. This one gets great reviews.
posted by BlahLaLa at 1:44 PM on August 20, 2010

Oh crap, how did I miss that one? Thanks, DrGail.
posted by gaspode at 1:47 PM on August 20, 2010

I used to do the Winsor Pilates 20-minute workout DVD every day at home; it made me feel more flexible and bendy (I always found yoga kind of boring).
posted by neushoorn at 1:49 PM on August 20, 2010

I really enjoy MegaYoga by Megan Garcia. I started with the video to see how the moves were done, and then moved onto the book to add some variety.
posted by Neely O'Hara at 1:53 PM on August 20, 2010