I have been trying to do yoga at least once a week, but I really have to admit, I'm a little confused.  Something tells me that there's a philosophy to go with the action that I'm probably missing.  I'm the kind of person who likes to learn new things, but I only educate myself on subjects that are specific to my issues - like when we discovered ADHD in my son 14 years ago, I educated myself.

It sure is relaxing.  I just got done with a half hour guided routine online (VeohTV).  There are certain poses I love, that are easy for me to accomplish, and I feel the effects immediately.  The problem with some poses is that I'm so naturally flexible that I'm not sure if I'm doing them right, because they feel NORMAL to me - I feel no particular effect.  Other poses, such as the one where you're on one knee with one leg out in front of you and twisted into a prayer pose?...that one actually hurts my ribcage.  "Open your chest" they chant.  How is my chest supposed to OPEN when my ribcage is crushed into my thigh and is threatening to shatter??  Even lifting my ribs off my thigh and making sure my back is straight doesn't seem to alleviate that excruciating pain.  And we're supposed to breathe in and out long and slow, meditatively??  Are they crazy??  Other poses hurt my hip socket.

Not to mention the issue with balance.  As a former gymnastic enthusiast (from, like, when I was 16!) and having gotten my flexibility and balance from that, that particular pose (among others I"m sure) is actually what I would call dangerous!  Ultimately, there are poses I know I will never do, because if I accidentally hurt myself doing them, I will be the loser.

If someone who is using advanced yoga reads this, my question is -- would it be better to simply learn a series of simple positions that don't challenge me too much and utilize them to maintain flexibility and a little bit of balance, and create my own personalized routine?  What I've been doing is relying on simple video routines, parts of which I can't participate in because of the complexity involved.  When I have to stop because a pose is intricate or undoable, it breaks my meditative environment, and I feel frustrated and blocked.  Is it normal for a person my age (45) with the issues I have (one shoulder weaker than normal and slightly tricky knees x2) to be limited in yoga?  I"m just trying to judge how much I should partake.  There are already fitness areas I can't participate in that limit me (video/dvd workouts due to lack of privacy and availability of tv, jogging, p90x), and yoga is one of those things I COULD do, but it's frustrating cuz some of it actually hurts and is dangerous for me.  And I can't take classes because I don't have money for them.  Sigh....

Any helpful advice would help.  Feel free to write.  Thanks