First of all, thank you for sharing this so honestly — what you’re experiencing is very normal, and you’re definitely not “out of shape.” Let me gently clear the confusion. About the numbers you see online…… There is no single “correct” number of Sun Salutations for everyone. Practices like 108 rounds are ritualistic and advanced, usually done on special occasions by seasoned practitioners. They are not a starting point and not a daily benchmark. Is 5 rounds enough? Absolutely yes. For a beginner, 3–6 slow, mindful rounds done with good breathing and alignment are far more beneficial than forcing higher numbers. Shaking arms simply mean your muscles are waking up and learning to support your body weight — that’s progress, not failure. How many should a beginner do? Start with 4–6 rounds at a comfortable pace Focus on breath, form, and smooth transitions Rest whenever you need — pausing is part of the practice Should you increase every day? No need to rush. Stay with the same number for 1–2 weeks, and only increase when your body feels ready. Even adding one extra round is enough progression. Will you still get benefits with fewer rounds? Yes — you’ll build strength, flexibility, circulation, and mental clarity even with a small number, as long as you’re consistent and attentive. Yoga is not about exhaustion; it’s about intelligent effort. A gentle suggestion…. Some days your body may want fewer rounds, and that’s okay. Yoga is about listening, not pushing. You’re doing beautifully by simply showing up each morning. Consistency and kindness toward your body matter far more than numbers.

Feeling dizzy after inversions is quite common, and in most cases it’s not dangerous — it simply means your body is adjusting to the sudden change in blood flow and balance. Why it happens • Blood pressure shifts when you go upside down • The inner ear (balance center) gets challenged • Breath may become irregular • Coming up too quickly can cause a “head rush” A few seconds of light dizziness is normal. ️ When to be careful Avoid inversions if: • The dizziness is strong or lasts long • You get headaches or blurred vision How to prevent it • Move in and out of the pose slowly • Keep your breath steady • Warm up the neck and shoulders • Rest in Child’s Pose after the inversion Your body is simply saying, “Go slower.” Listen to it, take your time, and choose gentler inversions until you feel more stable.

Hey dear Roland, Is it okay if I ask you a few questions so I can guide you safely? • How long have you been experiencing sciatica? • Was it triggered by any injury or sudden movement? • May I know your age? • Have you had any reports, X-ray, or MRI done? For sciatica, it’s always best to understand the root cause first. To support you properly, we may need a short one-on-one session so I can assess what movements will help and what to avoid. And yes — yoga can be very effective for sciatica, but it has to be a gentle, simple, and mindful practice tailored to your condition. I’m here to help you relieve the pain safely. Avoid these until pain improves Deep forward bends Touching toes Full Pigeon Pose (too aggressive) Strong twists High-impact workouts Long sitting without breaks My recommendation for you personally Since your pain increases with certain movements and you’re unsure what’s safe: See a physical therapist first for a proper assessment. One or two sessions are enough to understand the cause and safe movement patterns. Then use yoga as a complementary therapy — gentle, therapeutic yoga is excellent for long-term healing, flexibility, and strengthening. your yoga Teacher Trupti Parikh [https://myyogateacher.com/1-on-1?page_number=1&searchTeacher=Trupti+P](link url)

Hey Niharica Welcome to the yoga journey — so happy you’re here! For beginners, 3–4 times a week is a great place to start. This gives your body time to build strength, flexibility, and stamina without feeling overwhelmed. Even 20–30 minutes daily can bring amazing results if done consistently. For weight loss and overall progress, a balanced routine helps: Warm-up & mobility , Strength-building poses (like chair pose, plank variations, warrior flow) , Heart-rate elevating movements (sun salutations or gentle cardio flow) Cool down & stretching, Breathwork + relaxation The most important thing is consistency over intensity. Stay patient and kind to your body real progress comes gradually, inside and out. If you want help creating a beginner-friendly routine based on your goals, I’d love to guide you! Warmly, Komal Dudhavat

why are you doing intermittent fasting? Is this suiting your body?

That’s such a common confusion, and I love that you’re being mindful about it! Traditional yoga practice (as per Hatha and classical schools) is ideally done on an empty stomach, early in the morning. This gives your body lightness and makes it easier to twist, bend, and breathe deeply — which enhances flexibility and improves digestion in the long run. However, if you wake up feeling weak, dizzy, or low on energy, it’s perfectly fine to have something light — a few soaked almonds or nuts, half a banana, or a sip of warm lemon water — about 20–30 minutes before your session. If your mornings are too rushed, you can also practice mid-morning or evening, ideally leaving a 2–3 hour gap after a meal. “Yoga isn’t strict about time “ ……Yoga adapts beautifully as long as you listen to your body. So, the rule isn’t “empty stomach or nothing” — it’s about comfort and awareness. So the best time? It’s the one that makes you feel energised, grounded, and happy to show up again tomorrow consistently From Dr. Khushboo Jain, Therapeutic Yoga & Lifestyle Expert

Hi Kavita. just saw your post and wanted to give you some of my experience. I had severe knee arthritis and joint inflammation for many years, and yoga helped so much. As it progressed, I had to modify and not do certain poses, such as lunges, triangle, any knee twisting (such as in warrior), malasana, crossed legged sitting, or any pose that put pressure on my knees. I used the chair for many asanas, and and then for 2 years during my 5! yes FIVE knee surgeries (for knee replacement) I was very restricted and had to do yoga in the bed. When I finally began recovering, (since last December) I slowly worked from the bed, then from a chair, then CELEBRATED getting down on the floor. I still have some difficulty getting up from the floor, but I am doing better and better. I also must use pillows for support and protection of especially my knee that had 4/5 surgeries. It is still tight, from scar tissue, but MUCH improved, and the right knee is very good. I can sit cross legged now, but it is a “loose” cross, and I am improving every day on the things I couldn’t do before. Let me tell you this: I learned MANY alternatives and modifications for achieving the stretches and reaching the target areas requested through the regular asanas. Ask your teacher for modifications for your knees (Neha and Annelise were my ANGELS). I have been able to do my practice, and do not feel it is “less than” at all. It helped me learn my body MORE to try different movements and be able to access the target areas! I feel I have expanded my practice, and know that over time, I may (or may not) be able to achieve the standard pose, but I am still achieving a wonderful practice and it has helped me TREMENDOUSLY. Don’t give up, just become more mindful of your body and what it needs. Good luck, and you can contact me any time if you have questions and need modifications. Take care, Gail

@vedeika-1 Thank you for suggesting these

Yoga During Menstruation — What Is Safe and What to Avoid Many people feel unsure about practicing yoga during their period, especially if they are new to exercise or experience cramps and fatigue. However, yoga can be practiced safely during menstruation and often provides significant relief from pain, bloating, mood swings, and emotional stress. Gentle movements improve blood flow to the pelvis, relax tight muscles, and calm the nervous system, making the menstrual experience smoother and more comfortable. During periods, the focus should shift from strong, dynamic practices to slow, restorative, and grounding movements. Safe and helpful poses include gentle forward bends like Baddha Konasana, Janu Sirsasana, and Upavistha Konasana, which reduce abdominal tension and ease cramps. Restorative poses such as Supta Baddha Konasana, Balasana, Side-lying Rest Pose, and Viparita Karani (if comfortable) provide deep relaxation and support hormonal balance. Mild supine twists help release lower-back tightness, while simple pranayama practices—Nadi Shodhana, Brahmari, and gentle belly breathing—help reduce irritability, anxiety, and fatigue. At the same time, certain practices should be avoided because they may increase abdominal pressure or interfere with the natural downward movement of energy (Apana Vayu). These include strong inversions (headstand, handstand, shoulder stand), deep backbends (Wheel, Bow Pose), intense core work, and very vigorous flows or hot-yoga sessions. These can worsen cramps, increase fatigue, or create discomfort during menstruation. Overall, it is completely safe to practice yoga during periods as long as the approach is gentle and mindful. The key is to listen to the body each day—rest when needed, and choose soft, nurturing movements when you feel up to it. Yoga during menstruation is not about pushing the body but about supporting it with awareness and compassion. (https://myyogateacher.com/yoga-teachers/trupti-1)

Hey Maria! I’m so glad you’re asking this because honestly, this is one of the biggest misconceptions about yoga - and it breaks my heart that those Instagram-perfect photos make people feel like they can’t start! Short answer: YES, absolutely you can do yoga at any size, and NO, you don’t need to lose weight first. In fact, I’d argue you’re the perfect candidate for yoga because it meets you exactly where you are. Here’s the real talk: Those poses you’re worried about? Almost every single yoga pose has modifications. Can’t get into a deep forward fold? We bend the knees. Downward Dog feels impossible? We use blocks or do it at the wall. Balance poses wobbly? We use a chair or the wall for support. About your specific concerns: Will you be able to do poses? Yes! The beauty of yoga is that the pose adapts to YOUR body, not the other way around. I have students of all sizes in my classes, and everyone does their own version of each pose. Poses to avoid? Not really “avoid” - just modify. Chair yoga vs. regular class? Here’s my honest recommendation: Start with chair yoga or beginner-friendly gentle yoga. Not because you can’t do regular classes, but because you’ll build confidence faster. Once you feel comfortable with basic movements (usually 3-4 weeks), you can absolutely join any class you want! FYI, My classes are filled with people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and abilities. The 60-year-old with a knee pain, the busy mom who hasn’t exercised in years, the guy who can’t touch his knees let alone his toes - they’re ALL doing yoga successfully. What matters most? Showing up and listening to your body. That’s it. My advice: Try a beginner class or chair yoga first. You’ll be amazed how quickly your body responds - better flexibility, less stiffness, more energy. You’ve got this, Maria. Taking the first step is always the hardest part, and you’re already doing it by asking questions. That takes courage!

Thanks for sharing…

Definitely. My husband has had panic attacks. He went through a phase of having them years ago, always while driving by himself and of course he had to pull over and stop. And he thought it was to do with his heart and immediately I think he was in a vicious circle because this made him worry about having a heart attack. He had all kinds of tests at the hospital and was assured that his heart was fine and stopped having them. Then about 20 years later he had one again when we were out for a walk during covid, and we came home right away and when he relaxed at home he felt better. A couple of weeks later, again out for a walk, he had another one. This time I made him sit on a seat and we did long slow breathing together, with me counting, and after a few minutes he was fine again. He hasn’t had one since so maybe that’s because he knows they can easily be controlled. But I’m not sure what would happen if he had one when by himself. But I think if you practiced something regularly like yoga or martial arts over a period of time, you’d stop getting them.